Evaluation of the efficacy of whey protein to ameliorate the toxic effects of aflatoxins in rats

The present study was conducted to assess the ability of whey protein concentrate (WPC) to protect against aflatoxicosis. Three groups of Sprague–Dawley male rats were used. The control (a) was fed on casein diet, the control (b) received the same diet contaminated with aflatoxins (AFT; 2.5 mg AFB1 kg−1). The AFT-contaminated diet was supplemented with WPC and fed to the third group for 9 weeks. Compared with control (a) rats, those fed the contaminated diet (control b) showed significant drop (p<0.05) in body weight gains, food efficiency ratio (FER), an increase in the liver function enzymes, malondialdehyde level (MDA) and a decrease in blood glutathione (GSH), plasma calcium, magnesium and potassium. Addition of WPC to the AFT-contaminated diet realized better growth rate and FER and improved the above biochemical parameters. This study indicates that WPC supplementation appears beneficial to compensate AFT toxicity.