Antioxidant potential and hypolipidemic effect of whey protein against gamma irradiation induced damages in rats

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluation of the efficacy of whey protein as antioxidant against γ-irradiation induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in male rats.

Method: Rats were divided into groups; group 1 (control), rats in group 2 & 3 were exposed to γ-irradiation 5 & 10Gy respectively and rats in group 4 & 5 were orally administrated with whey protein after γ-irradiation. The antioxidant status (glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as well as the hematological parameters were determined.

Results: γ-irradiation had depletion in GSH, SOD, CAT and TAC levels and elevation in MDA. Moreover, an increase in TC & TG coupled with decrease in HDL after γ-irradiation. The hematological parameters decreased after γ-irradiation. Treated rats with whey protein improved the antioxidant status and minimized the alterations of lipid and blood cells induced by γ-irradiation.

Conclusion: whey protein has a positive effect on lipid and antioxidant status to minimize the oxidative stress due to exposure to γ-irradiation.

Keywords: Gamma irradiation; Hypolipidemic; Oxidative stress; Rats; Whey protein.