title: Evaluation of the subchronic toxicity of kefir by oral administration in Wistar rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kefir is obtained by fermentation of milk with complex microbial populations present in kefir grains. Several health-promoting benefits have been attributed to kefir consumption.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this work was to conduct a subchronic toxicity study, offering the rats normal or high-doses of kefir and evaluating growth, hematology and blood chemistry, as well as assessing bacterial translocation and the integrity of the intestinal mucosa of animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6/group): control group received 0.7 mL of water, kefir group received 0.7 mL/day of kefir, (normodose), and Hkefir group received 3.5 mL/day of kefir (fivefold higher dose). Feeding was carried out by gavage. The animals were housed in individual cages and maintained under standard conditions for 4 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The normodose and high-dose of kefir supplementation did not harm the animals since growth, hematology and blood chemistry in rats, as well as the potential pathogenicity in tissues were within normal limits, demonstrating that consumption of normodose and highdose of kefir are safe. In addition, administration of the normodose of kefir reduced cholesterol levels and improved the intestinal mucosa of the rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that the consumption of kefir is safe. Importantly, while damages are not seen for the high-dose, the normodose consumption is recommended due to the pronounced beneficial effects, as safety is concerned.
authors: Department of Nutrition and Health. Federal University of Viçosa. University Campus. Viçosa. Minas Gerais. Brazil.. drosa_ufv@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Damiana
authors: D
authors: Diniz Rosa
authors: Department of Nutrition and Health. Federal University of Viçosa. University Campus. Viçosa. Minas Gerais. Brazil..
authors: Maria do Carmo
authors: Mdo C
authors: Gouveia Peluzio
authors: National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Apdo. 10. San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque. Cuba..
authors: Tania
authors: T
authors: Pérez Bueno
authors: National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Apdo. 10. San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque. Cuba..
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Vega Cañizares
authors: National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Apdo. 10. San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque. Cuba..
authors: Lilian
authors: L
authors: Sánchez Miranda
authors: National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Apdo. 10. San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque. Cuba..
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Mancebo Dorbignyi
authors: National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Apdo. 10. San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque. Cuba..
authors: Dainé
authors: D
authors: Chong Dubí
authors: National Center for Animal and Plant Health (CENSA). Apdo. 10. San José de las Lajas. Mayabeque. Cuba..
authors: Ivette
authors: I
authors: Espinosa Castaño
authors: Department of Nutrition and Health. Federal University of Viçosa. University Campus. Viçosa. Minas Gerais. Brazil..
authors: Lukasz
authors: L
authors: Marcin Grzes Kowiak
authors: Department of Food Technology. Federal University of Viçosa. University Campus. Viçosa. Minas Gerais. Brazil..
authors: Célia Lucia de Luces
authors: CL
authors: Fortes Ferreira
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D043302:Cultured Milk Products / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006304:Health Status; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar