Whey Protein and Nigella sativa Oil Mitigate Potassium Dichromate Induced Hepatic Injury, Oxidative Stress and Hematotoxicity in Rats

The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant property of whey protein and/or Nigella sativa Oil (NSO) against hepatotoxicity evoked by potassium dichromate(K₂C_r2O₇). Designed for this purpose, we detected the 8 weeks challenge result of whey protein (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o) with/or without Nigella sativa oil (5ml/kg, p.o) in contradiction of poisoned albino rats with one dose of potassium dichromate (30mg/Kg, I.P) at the end of challenge period. Concerning plasma level, whey protein with/or without Nigella sativa oil were ameliorated the potassium dichromate liver damage concerns, so it exhibited a major progress in Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Amino Transferase (ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT). Moreover, whey protein or Nigella sativa oil reduce the deleterious effects of potassium dichromate on Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), Thyroidstimulating Hormone (TSH), glucose and Complete Blood Count (CBC). In addition, they displayed an important improvement in hepatic antioxidant enzymes, Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) beside reduced Glutathione (GSH), and with a subsequent decrease in Malondialdehyde (MDA) or Nitric Oxide (NO) levels in comparison with the untreated K₂C_r2O₇ group. Also, whey protein with/or without Nigella sativa oil improve the histopathological alterations produced by the potassium dichromate. These outcomes suggest that whey protein or Nigella sativa oil can be used as effective antioxidant aginst potassium dichromate intoxication as they modulate liver function and decrease oxidative stress.