Effect of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa, W) on the intestinal mucosa of growing Wistar rats

Abstract

In previous studies, we characterized the nutritional properties of quinoa from Argentinean Northwest. Moreover, quinoa seeds have a high content of saponins that give them a bitter taste and may alter the intestinal mucosa due to their detergent properties.Aimto study the effect of a variety of quinoa from Campo Tapial de Colanzuli, Iruya, Salta, without washing treatment, on the intestinal mucosa of growing rats.Materials and MethodsWistar rats (n=6/group) fed from weaning to 7 days a 10% protein diet with 1) unwashed quinoa (Q), 2) commercial washed quinoa (QR), 3) casein (C) as control group. Body weight (BW,g) and diet intake (I, g/day) were determined and ponderal growth rate (PGR, g/day/100g) was calculated. Intestines were removed and stained with Alcian Blue‐H/E. Goblets cells/100 epithelial cells (GC) were determined in 10 intestinal villi/rat. IL‐17 was characterized in lamina propria (LP) and intraepithelium (iIEL) by IFI (cells+/ 30 fields).Statistical analysisANOVA‐SNK/Kruskal‐Wallis.Results(Mean±SD) Q QR C BW 45.0±2.7a 60.0±5.4b 69.7±6.4c PGR −1.97±0.6a 1.63±0.5b 3.95±0.9c I 4.7±03 a 6.9±1.0ab 8.4±0.6b GC 24.2±6.5b 14.7±2.7a 10.9±1.2a IL‐17 LP 60.3±9.0b 41.7±4.6a 38.0±3.9a IL‐17 iIEL 9.3±4.2 a 10.5±3.7 a 9.0±1.6 a Means within rows with different superscript, differ 0.05> p <0.001 ConclusionGC and IL‐17 were significant increased in Q group which could indicate an inflammatory process caused by the saponins from unwashed quinoa. This could affect the normal intestinal absorption of nutrients which is reflected in BW, PGR and I, compared to QR group.Supported by UBACyT 20020100100255 y 20620100100014