Abstract
Objective This study aimed to determine total protein, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and
parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) levels in the saliva of rats with stunted
growth.
Materials and Methods Experimental laboratory research with a pre-and posttest control group design was
conducted. Seventeen albino rats (Rattus norvegicus ) were divided into the control group (eight rats) and the treatment group (nine rats).
Rats in the treatment group were exposed to aflatoxin B1 5µg/kg orally for 5 weeks.
Anthropometry data (body length, body weight) and saliva of R. norvegicus were collected. The levels of PTHrP and sIgA in the saliva were measured using an
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for rats and the Bradford test for total protein
and analyzed using SPSS 25.0.
Results Aflatoxin caused stunted growth in rats in the treatment group. There was a significant
difference in body length, salivary flow, PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein in the treatment
group compared with the control group. The average rat's body length change in the
control group was 6.4 ± 1.1mm/5 weeks, while in the treatment group, the change was
3.7 ± 0.9 mm /5 weeks. There was no significant weight gain in the treatment group
compared with the normal group. The average values of PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein
in the control group were x̄0.9, x̄18, and x̄0.7 m./L, respectively, while in the
treatment group, they measured x̄0.4, x̄10.7, and x̄0.5 mg/L, respectively.
Conclusion This study showed that salivary flow, PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein levels in the
saliva were significantly lower in stunted rats compared with normal rats.
Keywords stunting - PTHrP - sIgA - total protein
