Cytokine Response to Dietary Rehabilitation with Curd (Indian Dahi) & Leaf Protein Concentrate in Malnourished Children (Report‪)‬

Background & objectives: Protein energy malnutrition (PEM), an important cause of secondary immune deficiency, is associated with several abnormalities in the immune system including cytokine production. In the present study cytokine levels (both pro- and anti-inflammatory) were evaluated in protein energy malnourished children following nutritional rehabilitation with curd (Indian dahi) and leaf protein concentrate (LPC). Methods: Eighty moderately and severely malnourished children, 1-5 yr of age, received the WHO recommended diet for severe malnutrition, modified according to local dietary habits, containing in addition either curd or micronutrient-rich leaf protein concentrate, for a period of 15 days. Cytokine levels [tumour necrosis factor a (TN[alpha]), interferon [gamma] (IFN[gamma]), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-4 (IL-4)] were measured before and after dietary rehabilitation.