Antioxidant Effects of Sheep Whey Protein on Endothelial Cells

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016:2016:6585737. doi: 10.1155/2016/6585737. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Abstract

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may cause endothelial dysfunction and consequently vascular disease. In the present study, the possible protective effects of sheep whey protein (SWP) from tert-butyl hydroperoxide- (tBHP-) induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells (EA.hy926) were assessed using oxidative stress biomarkers. These oxidative stress biomarkers were glutathione (GSH) and ROS levels determined by flow cytometry. Moreover, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls (CARB), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were determined spectrophotometrically. The results showed that SWP at 0.78, 1.56, 3.12, and 6.24 mg of protein mL(-1) increased GSH up to 141%, while it decreased GSSG to 46.7%, ROS to 58.5%, TBARS to 52.5%, and CARB to 49.0%. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated for the first time that SWP protected endothelial cells from oxidative stress. Thus, SWP may be used for developing food supplements or biofunctional foods to attenuate vascular disturbances associated with oxidative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Glutathione Disulfide / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Protein Carbonylation / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sheep
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Whey Proteins / pharmacology*
  • tert-Butylhydroperoxide / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Whey Proteins
  • tert-Butylhydroperoxide
  • Glutathione Disulfide