Zinc citrate-coated whey protein nanoparticles alleviate kidney damage and the disturbances in inflammatory gene expression in rats.

This work was conducted to synthesize whey protein nanoparticles (WPNPs) for the coating of zinc citrate (Zn CITR) at three levels and to study their protective role against CCl4 -induced kidney damage and inflammatory gene expression disorder in rats. Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups and treated orally for 4 weeks as follows; the control group, the group treated twice a week with CCl4 (5 mL/kg b.w), the groups received CCl4 plus WPNPs (300 mg/kg b.w); the group received 50 mg/kg b.w of Zn CITR or the three formulas of Zn CITR-WPNPs at low, medium and high doses (LD, MD, and HD). Blood and kidney samples were collected for different assays and histological analyses. The fabricated particles were semispherical, with an average size of 160 ± 2.7, 180 ± 3.1, and 200 ± 2.6 nm and ζ potential of -126, -93, and -84 mV for ZN CITR-WPNPs (LD), Zn CITR-WPNPs (MD), and ZN CITR-WPNPs (HD), respectively. CCl4 significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) kidney function indices, oxidative stress markers, messenger RNA expression of transforming growth factor-ß1, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and tumor necrosis factor-α and significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) renal superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase along with the histological changes in the kidney tissues. WPNPs, Zn CITR, and Zn CITR loaded WPNPS showed a protective effect against these complications and Zn CITR-WPNPs (LD) was more effective. WPNPs can be used effectively for coating Zn CITR at a level of 7 mg/g WPNPs to be used as a supplement for the protection of the kidney against different toxicants to enhance immunity and avoid harm of excess Zn.

Zinc citrate incorporation with whey protein nanoparticles alleviate the oxidative stress complication and modulate gene expression in the liver of rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of whey protein nanoparticles (WP-NPs) coated Zinc citrate (Zn) against oxidative stress complications and disturbances in gene expression in rats treated with CCl4. WP-NPs were used to coat Zn at three levels and amino acids content was determined in WP-NPs and the fabrications. Seven groups of male albino rats included the control group, CCl4-treated group (0.5 ml/100 g b.w) and the groups treated with CCl4 plus WP-NPs, Zn and the three Zn-WP-NPs fabrications. Blood and liver samples were collected for different analysis. Particles sizes were 95, 142, 196 and 228 nm and zeta potential values were -95, -114, -85 and -79 for WP-NPs and the three Zn-WP-NPs fabrications, respectively. Twelve amino acids were found in WP-NPs and this number was decreased by increasing Zn content. WP-NPs, Zn and the Zn coated WP-NPs counteracted the disturbances in biochemical, parameters, gene expression and histological changes in CCl4-treated rats and Zn-WP-NPs was more effective at the low dose. It could be concluded that WP-NPs enhance the effect of Zn and can be used for coating Zn in the preparation of Zn supplementation to enhance its effect and counteract the side effect of excess Zn.