Whey proteins influence hepatic glutathione after CCl4 intoxication.
Whey proteins (WP) are known to contain more cysteine than casein (CAS), so it is suggested that they should ameliorate the oxidative equilibrium in the organisms. To evaluate the influence of a WP-based diet on liver glutathione (GSH) content, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 3 weeks a balanced liquid diet containing either WP or CAS as main source of protein. Liver GSH content was evaluated at the end of the treatment by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), both in basal conditions and after oxidative stress induced by CCl4 acute intoxication. In basal conditions, WP diet significantly increased hepatic GSH in comparison to CAS diet. After CCl4 intoxication, hepatic GSH was negligibly increased in CAS group, while its increase was much more marked in WP group, so that the difference between the two diets was significant; this suggests that WP provided rats with better ability to increase their GSH synthesis in case of need.
Balbis
E
E
Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
Patriarca
S
S
Furfaro
A L
AL
Millanta
S
S
Sukkar
S G
SG
Marinari
U M
UM
Pronzato
M A
MA
Cottalasso
D
D
Traverso
N
N
D000818:Animals; D002252:Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002364:Caseins / Q000494:pharmacology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D002364:Caseins; D008894:Milk Proteins; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D005978:Glutathione