Cobalamin restriction with AIN-93M chow modification: Hematology and cardiovascular parameter assessment

The correlation between cobalamin deficiency and anemia has been studied extensively. However, the effect of cobalamin deficiency on cardiovascular conditions has not been fully understood yet. Our study was conducted to explore the possible cardiovascular function alteration in anemia condition after cobalamin restriction diet. Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rat were randomly divided into three groups: (a) control group were fed with standard AIN-93M diet for 12 weeks (Co); (b) The 1 ^st treatment group was fed with cobalamin restricted AIN-93M diet for 4 weeks (R4); and (c) The 2 ^nd treatment group was fed with cobalamin restricted AIN-93M diet for 12 weeks (R12). The cobalamin restricted chow defined as the modification of the standard AIN-93M with omitting cobalamin and adding 5% pectin to each kilogram of chow. The level of cobalamin, hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte and BNP were measured before and after feeding procedure. Hematology parameters were measured with Sysmex hematology analyzers, while plasma cobalamin and BNP level were measured with ELISA kit provided by MyBiosource. Plasma cobalamin level decreased about 102.84 pg/ml in R4 group and 189.53 pg/ml in R12 group compared to their initial level. Meanwhile, it remained stable in control group. The hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte level decreased in the R4 group and R12 group, but only significant in the R12 group. The BNP plasma level increased in all groups but not statistically significant. The administration of cobalamin restricted chow in rats decreased plasma cobalamin level, resulting in hematological and cardiovascular parameter alteration.