Whey protein and its major peptide fractions ameliorate hepatorenal dysfunction induced by CCL4 in rats

Abstract

The major whey proteins (WP) are α-lactalbumin (α-La) and β-lactogloblin (β_Lg) possess interesting nutritional, functional and therapeutic properties [1]. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of WP, α-La and β-Lg, on CCl4-iduced hepatorenal damage in rats. The albino rats were pre-treated with WP, α-La and β-Lg (100 and 200mg/kg b.wt.) for 15 days before treatment with single dose of CCl4 (0.5ml/kg. s.c. in olive oil). The rats were sacrificed 24 hrs later and blood samples were collected for assign serum biochemical parameters. Serum samples were taken to determine the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triglycerides and cholesterol levels. The histopathological effect on the liver tissue was also investigated to support the above parameters. The results of the present study indicated that the levels of serum AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly (P <0.05) elevated by CCl4 administration as compared with the control group and significantly reduced at P<0.05 by the treatment with the WP, α-La and β-Lg (100 and 200mg/kg/b.w for 15 days) compared with the CCl4-intoxicated rats. Moreover, kidney function tests showed significant (p<0, 05) reduction in the level of creatinine and uric acid by the treatment with the WP, α-La and β-Lg. Microscopic examination of liver of CCl4 treated animals revealed that lymphoctes infiltration, cytoplasmic vacuolization, fatty degeneration, focal necrosis, and fibrous tissue. Also renal tissues showed hypercellularity and shrinkage of glomeruli, vacuolization and necrotic of epithelial cells with interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. The histopathological examination also showed ameliorative effect of WP, α-La and β-Lg reduced the alterations that induced in liver and kidney by CCl4. The higher dose of α-lactalbumin is more effective than whey proteins and β-lactogloblin .