Short communicationChemoreflex control of the cardiovascular system remains altered after recovery from low protein diet early in life

•Recovery protocol restored body weight of malnourishment rats.•Blood pressure and heart rate levels were similar between both groups.•Pressor response of the peripheral chemoreflex was higher in recovered rats.•Spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity was higher in recovered rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular component of the arterial chemoreflex in rats recovered from low protein diet. Male Fischer rats were randomly divided into control and recovered (R-PR) groups after weaning. R-PR rats were fed with low protein diet for 35 days and recovered under normal protein diet for 70 days. Control rats received normal protein diet for 105 days. Arterial chemoreflex was elicited by intravenous injection of KCN. Results showed that pressor response of the chemoreflex was increased in R-PR. Data suggest that protein restriction may alter cardiovascular response to chemical activation of the chemoreflex after recovery.