Experimental models of malnutrition and its effect on skin trophism.

Background: The skin requires adequate levels of nutrients to function properly.

Objective: To analyze skin trophism in well-nourished and undernourished rats using two models of malnutrition.

Methods: In the marasmus model, 60 Wistar rats were kept on a controlled diet, 30 being randomly selected to receive half the established diet for 60 days.