title: Structural and functional abnormalities of hepatic tissues in male Wistar rats fed hyperwhey and super amino anabolic protein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Athletes and bodybuilders consume high-protein supplements to obtain energy and enhance the development and strength of their muscles. Over time, different investigations have revealed dysfunctions of their body organs. There are contradictions among scientists concerning the benefits and the alarm of developing body dysfunction. The aim of this study was to illustrate the effects on consumption of two anabolic protein supplements on body weight and structure and function of hepatocytes in male albino Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assigned male Wistar albino rats into three groups (n = 10 each): control, hyperwhey protein (Nutrabolics, Richmond, Canada) (2.5 g/kg body weight), and super amino 2500 (SA) (APN, Ft. Launderale, FL, USA) (2.5 g/kg body weight). The applied dose was orally administered daily in tap water for 14 wk. Body weight was regularly measured. At 14 wk, animals were sacrificed and dissected. Blood was collected from a puncture of the heart and the liver was removed and weighed. Biochemical analysis of liver function tests, lipidogram, hematology, histopathology, transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, B-cell lymphoma 2 and 70 kd heat shock proteins, and flow-cytometry of hepatocyte cell cycle were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hyperwhey- and SA-supplemented rats had lower body weight gain compared with the control group and developed hepatic dysfunction manifested by apparent congestion of blood vessel, increased apoptosis, and breakdown of hepatocytes. The SA group had thickening of the liver capsule and more drastic damage of hepatocytes. The level of transaminases was markedly increased. Insulin level was also markedly decreased in parallel with increase cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triacylglycerols.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hyperwhey and SA protein formula administration dramatically altered the liver function and increased hepatic damage similar to the development of suspected diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Doaa A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. Electronic address: elsayyad@mans.edu.eg.
authors.forename: Hassan I H
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: El-Sayyad
authors.affiliation: Omar Al Mukhtar University, Derna, Libya.
authors.forename: Osama A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Moftah
authors.affiliation: College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
authors.forename: Phil D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Chilibeck
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D022781:Hepatocytes; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D000067816:Whey Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D000067816:Whey Proteins
keywords: Anabolic body-building protein; Biochemistry; Blood picture; Hepatitis; Histopathology; Immunohistochemistry; Transaminases; Transmission electron microscopy