Antioxidant potential and hypolipidemic effect of whey protein against gamma irradiation induced damages in rats

Purpose: Evaluation of the efficacy of whey protein as antioxidant against gamma-irradiation induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in male rats. Method: Rats were divided into groups; group 1 (control), rats in group 2 & 3 were exposed to gamma-irradiation 5 & 10 Gy respectively and rats in group 4 & 5 were orally administrated with whey protein after gamma-irradiation. The antioxidant status (glutathione (GSH), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) as well as the hematological parameters were determined. Results: gamma-irradiation had depletion in GSH, SOD, CAT and TAC levels and elevation in MDA. Moreover, an increase in TC & TG coupled with decrease in HDL after gamma-irradiation. The hematological parameters decreased after gamma-irradiation. Treated rats with whey protein improved the antioxidant status and minimized the alterations of lipid and blood cells induced by gamma-irradiation. Conclusion: whey protein has a positive effect on lipid and antioxidant status to minimize the oxidative stress due to exposure to gamma-irradiation.