Introduction Protein malnutrition is the disease diagnosed in the scenario, whic

Introduction
Protein malnutrition is the disease diagnosed in the scenario, which occurs due to a lack of intake or absorption of protein (Olson et al., 2020). It leads to a deficiency of amino acids which perform some basic functions.
Role of Genetics
Genetic variations can alter the body’s absorption mechanism and protein metabolism (Masato et al., 2019). The enzymes responsible for protein absorption are sometimes impaired due to a genetic cause. As a result, malabsorption syndromes occur. However, in this patient’s case, several other factors, apart from genetics, directly contribute to the disease’s symptoms.
Reason for the Occurrence of Specific Symptoms
The patient is suffering from edema due to protein malnutrition. Proteins are essential in establishing an osmotic balance between tissues and blood vessels. Albumin has a role in retaining fluid in the vessels by applying osmotic pressure (Aldecoa et al., 2020). However, albumin and protein levels significantly drop during protein malnutrition, which lowers the osmotic pressure. Thus, the fluid is not retained and leaks into the surrounding areas, leading to edema.
Physiologic Response and Reason of Occurrence
In protein malnutrition, the amount of proteins decreases as a physiologic response (Atassi, 2019). And the reason of occurrence is that the body tries to fulfill its protein needs by breaking down the protein stores. The body’s needs are fulfilled by breaking protein from muscles and other tissues (Atassi, 2019). Eventually, the body’s protein stores deplete, leading to symptoms like edema.
Cells Involved in the Process
The following cells are involved in the process.
Hepatocytes for synthesizing albumin (Feng et al., 2022).
Muscle cells for breaking down protein to fulfill the body’s immediate needs.
Role of Other Characteristics
It is possible that the intensity or particular symptoms of protein deficiency could vary depending on another factor, such as gender or heredity. For instance, some genetic differences may make people more susceptible to malabsorption syndromes or interfere with their capacity to synthesize a particular protein. Additionally, differences in protein needs and metabolic rates between the sexes may affect how protein deficiency manifests and develops (Richter et al., 2019). However, in the described case, rather than particular genetic traits or gender, the patient’s symptoms are mostly related to their history of malabsorption condition and difficulties eating.
In conclusion, genetical variations may contribute to protein malnutrition but is not the primary factor causing the disease. Edema may occur as a symptom of protein malnutrition due to imbalance in osmotic pressure.

References
Aldecoa, C., Llau, J. V., Nuvials, X., & Artigas, A. (2020). Role of albumin in preserving endothelial glycocalyx integrity and the microcirculation: a review. Annals of Intensive Care, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-020-00697-1 Links to an external site.
Atassi, H. (2019, August 5). Protein-Energy Malnutrition: Background, Pathophysiology, Etiology. Medscape.com. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1104623-overview Links to an external site.
Feng, R., Kan, K., Sticht, C., Li, Y., Wang, S., Liu, H., Shao, C., S Munker, Niess, H., Wang, S., Mayer, C., Liebe, R., Ebert, M. P., Dooley, S., Ding, H., & Weng, H. (2022). A hierarchical regulatory network ensures stable albumin transcriiption under various pathophysiological conditions. 76(6), 1673–1689. https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.32414 Links to an external site.
Masato, A., Plotegher, N., Boassa, D., & Bubacco, L. (2019). Impaired dopamine metabolism in Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-019-0332-6 Links to an external site.
Olson, B., Marks, D. L., & Grossberg, A. J. (2020). Diverging metabolic programs and behaviors during starvation, protein malnutrition, and cachexia. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12630 Links to an external site.
Richter, M., Baerlocher, K., Bauer, J. M., Elmadfa, I., Heseker, H., Leschik-Bonnet, E., Stangl, G., Volkert, D., & Stehle, P. (2019). Revised reference values for the intake of protein. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 74(3), 242–250. https://doi.org/10.1159