Question

Lathyrism is due to the consumption of Kesari dal is characterized by
(a) Skeletal deformation and thinning of collagen fibers.
(b) Skeletal abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, and reproductive failure.
(c) Retarded growth, precocious puberty, and renal dysfunction.
(d) Cardiovascular abnormalities, mental retardation, and delayed puberty.

Answer 1

Lathyrism is a disease caused by overconsumption of the Kesari dal which affects the linking of protein known as collagen present in connective tissues causing severe muscle weakness and brittle bones.

Complete answer:
Lathyrism is a condition that is caused by eating Lathyrus sativus (also known as grass pea, chickling pea, khesari dal). It is characterized by skeletal deformities and thinning of collagen fibers resulting in damage to the bone and the other collagen fibers especially mesenchymal tissues.

Additional Information:
-Lathyrism is of three types namely: Angiolathyrism, Osteolathyrism, and Neurolathyrism.
-Osteolathyrism occurs due to the presence of toxin found in Khesari dal namely beta-aminopropionitrile which affects the linking of collagen proteins.
The signs and symptoms are:
- Body pain
- Fatigue
- Skeletal deformities
- Malnourishment.
-If the crosslinks between the collagen fibers are not formed, as in the case of osteolathyrism, the synthesis of strong mesenchymal and mesodermal tissue is inhibited.
-Prevention of this disease is to stop the consumption of khesari dal.
-Eating chickling pea with grain having high concentrations of sulfur-based amino acids reduces the risk of lathyrism.
-The most important factor is food processing.
Amino acids which are toxic in nature are readily soluble in water and can be leached entirely. Lactic acid and fungal fermentation is useful to reduce ODAP content. Moist heat (boiling, steaming) denatures a protease inhibitor which adds to the toxic effect of a raw pea.
So, the correct answer is, “Skeletal deformation and thinning of collagen fibers.”

Note: -The osteolathyrism affects the bone and collagen fibers, unlike the others. In osteolathyrism, there is no damage to motor neurons.
- Osteolathyrism occurs in the people who have a combination of both Neurolathyrism and Angiolathyrism.
- Angiolathyrism is similar to osteolathyrism in its effects on connective tissue. But the blood vessels are affected as opposed to bone.