Whey protein concentrate and lactoferrin alleviated anaemia, immunotoxicity, and biochemical alterations in a mouse model of early hepatocarcinogenesis

Abstract

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a natural carcinogen, is widely used in basic research to develop hepatocellular carcinoma in the experimental animals. The present study evaluated/compared the modulatory activities of bovine whey protein concentrate (WPC, 300 and 600 mg kg−1 body weight) and lactoferrin (30 and 60 mg kg−1 body weight), given orally/daily and concurrently for 14 weeks with DEN, in a mouse model of early hepatocarcinogenesis. The results showed that both WPC and lactoferrin (especially at the higher doses) improved the body weight, lymphoid organs cellularity, blood cell counts, and serum proteins, as well as alleviated significantly (P < 0.001) the elevation in clotting time, serum aminotransferases activities, serum α-fetoprotein and tumour necrosis factor-α concentrations, and hepatic malondialdehyde and nitric oxide concentrations in the DEN-treated mice. In conclusion, WPC and lactoferrin were effective under the experimental conditions in decreasing the markers of liver injury/carcinoma, anaemia, and immunotoxicity in DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenic mice.