Whey protein protects liver mitochondrial function against oxidative stress in rats exposed to acrolein

  • Birsen Aydın Amasya University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Amasya, Turkey
  • Ali Oğuz Amasya University Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Amasya, Turkey
  • Vedat Şekeroğlu Ordu University Faculty of Science and Letters, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Ordu, Turkey
  • Zülal Atlı Şekeroğlu Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Ordu University, Ordu, Turkey
Keywords: antioxidants, glutathione, oxidative phosphorylation enzymes, tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes

Abstract

Acrolein (AC) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, often associated with incomplete combustion of petrol, wood, and plastic, oil frying, and tobacco smoking, that causes oxidative damage to DNA and mitochondria. Considering that little is known about the protective effects of whey protein (WP) against AC-induced liver toxicity, the aim of our study was to learn more about them in respect to liver mitochondrial oxidative stress, respiratory enzymes, Krebs cycle enzymes, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). To do that, we treated Sprague Dawley rats with daily doses of AC alone (5 mg/kg bw in 0.9 % NaCl solution), WP alone (200 mg/kg bw, in 0.9 % NaCl solution), or their combination by oral gavage for six days a week over 30 days. As expected, the AC group showed a drop in glutathione levels and antioxidant, transport chain, and tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme activities and a significant rise in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels. Co-treatment with WP mitigated oxidative stress and improved enzyme activities. Judging by the measured parameters, WP reduced AC toxicity by improving bioenergetic mechanisms and eliminating oxidative stress.

Published
2022-09-15
How to Cite
1.
Aydın B, Oğuz A, Şekeroğlu V, Şekeroğlu ZA. Whey protein protects liver mitochondrial function against oxidative stress in rats exposed to acrolein. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol [Internet]. 2022Sep.15 [cited 2024Dec.1];73(3). Available from: https://arhiv.imi.hr/index.php/arhiv/article/view/1488
Section
Original article