Nutritional Approach to Ameliorate Demyelinating Changes Expressed in Spinal Olig2 Immunoreactivity in a Konzo Disease Rat Model

A nutritional approach to ameliorate demyelinating changes expressed in spinal Olig2 immunoreactivity in a Konzo disease rat model was investigated. 30 adult female Wistar rats weighing 200-250g were assigned to 4 groups. Group 1 (Control, n=5) was fed on animal pellets, whereas Group 2 (Protein control, n=5) was provided protein food. Bitter cassava flour was provided to Group 3 (Konzo induced, n=15). Protein and bitter cassava flour were supplied to Group 4 (protein treatment group, n=5). Body weight was taken weekly. The C3-C5 spinal regions were harvested through transcardiac perfusion for histological and immunohistochemical staining. Image J was used to quantify the cells in the spinal cord. Body weight showed a significant reduction in body weight in, Cassava at p<0.01, and Cassava + Protein group at p<0.05 when compared to the control and protein control groups. Examination of the neurons with cresyl violet showed a significant increase in the percentage of unhealthy neuron population in the Konzo-induced group [p<0.001] compared to the control and protein control groups. The rats induced with Konzo showed a significant decrease in Olig2 immunoreactive cells compared to control, protein control, and Cassava + protein groups, at p<0.05. Similarly, Olig2 immunoreactive was substantially increased in the Cassava + Protein group compared to the Cassava group [p<0.05]. This shows that an adequate diet, along with a protein supplement, can counteract the demyelinating and neurodegenerative effects of cyanogenic cassava consumption implicated in Konzo disease.