Protective role of egg white protein hydrolysate against streptozotocin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetes contributes to oxidative stress, which plays a critical role in liver injury. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective potential of egg white protein hydrolysate (EWH) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats, diabetic and non-diabetic, received oral water, metformin (200 mg/kg), or EWH (300, 600, or 1200 mg/kg) for four weeks. STZ-induced diabetes significantly increased serum liver enzymes, total bilirubin, and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), while decreasing the activities of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)). EWH treatment, particularly at 600 mg/kg, significantly decreased liver enzymes and MDA levels and restored antioxidant enzyme activities. Histological analysis revealed that EWH markedly improved liver architecture by reducing hepatocellular degeneration, inflammation, and bile duct proliferation. These results suggest that EWH has hepatoprotective effects, likely due to its antioxidant bioactive peptides, and may serve as a potential therapeutic agent against liver damage in diabetes.