Effect of goat and camel milk vis a vis cow milk on cholesterol homeostasis in hypercholesterolemic rats

Abstract

The study was designed to evaluate comparative effectiveness of cow, goat and camel milk in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis in experimental rats fed on cholesterol enriched diet (CED).Feeding of CED alone for 15 days to rats enhanced plasma cholesterol level to ≥ 150 mg/dl. Hypercholesterolemic rats were distributed into three groups namely cow, goat and camel. Rats in each group were fed 25 ml milk (3% fat) per day along with CED adlib for 90 days. In cow group, there was 90.9% gain in body weight and 41.3% increase in total cholesterol, but no apparent change in HDL-cholesterol,triglyceride level and atherogenic index. Trendin goat and camel milk group for body weight gain, total cholesteroland triglycerides level was similar to cow milk but the level of HDL-cholesterol significantly increased. Significantly lower cholesterol deposition in liver and higher excretion in feces in goat and camel groupsover cow milk group was recorded. Significantly higher activity of glutathione peroxidase in liver and RBCs in goat milk group and glutathione peroxidase in liver in camel group over cow milk group was noted. Comparatively, level of TBARS in liver were significantly lower in goat as well as camel group over cow milk group and it might be related to higher level of glutathione peroxidase in liver. Atherogenic index at 0 day and 90 day of study period remained unaltered in all three groups but goat and camel milk additionally assisted in reducing TBARS in liver.