Evaluation of Bilih fish (Mystacoleucus padangensis) supplementation on biochemical and histopathological changes in a stunting animal model

Authors: Fivi Melva Diana, Tri Isyani Tungga Dewi, Rini Madyastuti Purwono, Ulya Uti Fasrini, and Imelda Indah Lestari

Ger. J. Vet. Res 2026. vol. 6, Iss. 3 pp:16-27
Doi: https://doi.org/10.51585/gjvr.2026.3.0197

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Abstract:

Stunting is a chronic malnutrition condition that adversely affects organ function, including the liver, kidneys, and brain. This study evaluated the effects of the supplementation of bilih fish (Mystacoleucus padangensis) on biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in a stunting animal model. Stunting was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using a low-protein diet, after which the animals were assigned to five groups: normal control (K1), stunting control (K2), and three treatment groups receiving increasing doses of bilih fish oil (P1: 0.1 mL/day, P2: 0.2 mL/day, P3: 0.3 mL/day). Biochemical parameters measured included serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine. Histopathological analyses of liver, kidney, and brain tissues were also conducted. Results demonstrated overall increases in hepatic and renal biochemical parameters over time in all groups; however, several treatment groups exhibited lower elevations than the untreated stunting control (K2). This trend across all groups, including controls, likely reflects physiological growth rather than treatment effects and should not be interpreted as evidence of a protective outcome in the absence of significant between-group differences. Histopathological analysis revealed no significant differences in hepatic steatosis area (p = 0.14), renal glomerular index (p = 0.38), or the percentage of active neuron cells (p = 0.11). In summary, bilih fish oil supplementation did not produce statistically significant effects on biochemical or histopathological parameters in the stunting model. Observed tendencies toward lower values in certain treatment groups are preliminary and require confirmation in studies with larger sample sizes and more rigorous experimental designs.

Keywords:

Stunting, Bilih fish oil, Histopathology, Omega-3, Sprague-Dawley rats, Low-protein diet, Preclinical study

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