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ACTIVITIES OF CYTOCHROME OXIDASE IN THE RAT LIVER OF NORMAL AND PROTEIN UNDERNOURISHED RATS FED WITH DIET CONTAINING CASSAVA PEEL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Cytochrome oxidase (COX), also known as complex IV of the electron transport chain, is a critical enzyme involved in cellular respiration. It plays a crucial role in the final step of oxidative phosphorylation, where it transfers electrons to molecular oxygen, facilitating the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and water. COX activity reflects the metabolic efficiency and oxidative capacity of mitochondria, making it an essential indicator of cellular energy production.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in modulating mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Inadequate nutrition, particularly protein undernutrition, can significantly impact mitochondrial activities, leading to impaired energy production and metabolic disturbances. Protein undernutrition is a prevalent condition in many developing countries, where protein intake is often insufficient to meet the recommended daily requirements. Protein undernutrition not only affects growth and development but also compromises various physiological processes, including mitochondrial function.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a widely cultivated tuberous root vegetable in tropical and subtropical regions. It serves as a staple food for millions of people due to its high carbohydrate content and ability to grow in diverse agroecological conditions. However, cassava is relatively low in protein and essential amino acids, making it an inadequate source of dietary protein. Furthermore, cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides, which can be toxic if not adequately processed.

Cassava processing typically involves the removal of the outer peels, resulting in cassava peel waste. Cassava peel represents a substantial portion of the total cassava crop and is usually discarded as agricultural waste. However, recent studies have explored the potential utilization of cassava peel as a feed ingredient for livestock, owing to its fiber content and bioactive compounds. The inclusion of cassava peel in animal diets has shown promising results in improving nutrient utilization, gut health, and growth performance in some animal species.

While the nutritional value and potential benefits of cassava peel have been studied in the context of animal nutrition, limited information is available regarding its impact on mitochondrial function and enzyme activities in the liver, particularly under conditions of protein undernutrition. The liver is a vital organ involved in numerous metabolic processes, including protein synthesis, detoxification, and energy metabolism. Understanding how dietary factors, such as cassava peel supplementation and protein undernutrition, influence COX activity in the rat liver can provide valuable insights into the nutritional implications and metabolic adaptations associated with these conditions.

The objective of this study was to investigate the activities of cytochrome oxidase in the rat liver of normal and protein undernourished rats fed with a diet containing cassava peel. We hypothesized that the inclusion of cassava peel in the diet may enhance COX activity, reflecting improved mitochondrial oxidative capacity, particularly in normal rats. Furthermore, we anticipated that protein undernutrition would impair COX activity irrespective of the diet composition, due to the known association between protein deficiency and mitochondrial dysfunction.

To test our hypotheses, we conducted a six-week feeding experiment using male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into two groups: a control group fed a standard laboratory diet and an experimental group fed a diet supplemented with cassava peel. Within each group, half of the