Effects of High-Dose Whey Protein Concentrate Intake on Hepatorenal and Intestinal Tissues

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to compare the antioxidant effects of high doses of whey protein (WP) concentrate intake on liver, kidney, and intestinal tissues. Methods: 18 rats were divided into three groups control (n=6), control+ 8 g/kg WP (n=6), and control + 2 g/kg WP (n=6). 8 g/kg WP group was fed with whey protein added rat chow. 2 g/kg WP group, addition to their standard ad libitum feed, received the whey protein concentrate by oral gavage. On day 10, liver, kidney and intestinal tissues were removed. Lipid peroxidation, glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S- transferase activities were determined in liver, kidney and intestine tissues. Results: While lipid peroxidation did not change in all groups, glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione-S-transferase activities increased in whey protein-administered groups. Liver glutathione level was higher in the 2 g/kg WP compared to the 8 g/kg WP group. There were no significant differences in intestinal glutathione levels between the groups. Kidney GST activity decreased in the kidney and intestine tissues of the 8 g/kg WP group compared to the 2 g/kg WP group. SOD activity was higher in all tissues in the 2 g/kg WP group compared to the other groups. Conclusion: As a result, both whey protein treatments showed different antioxidant effects in the tissues examined. High-dose whey protein application showed lower antioxidant capacity compared to the optimal whey protein dose.