Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues

Özden Kutlay; Esra Aslan; Tülay Akan

doi:10.33988/auvfd.1772261

Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues

Abstract

Whey protein (WP) is widely used for its anabolic effects and potential cardiovascular benefits; however, its long-term effects on cardiac and vascular tissues remain unclear. This study assessed the biochemical, molecular, and morphological effects of a four-week WP supplementation (6 g/kg/day) in male Wistar rats. For this purpose, twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into control, sham, and WP groups. The WP group received 6 g/kg of WP in 1 ml tap water daily for one month; the sham group received only water, and the control group received no treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 (FGF-1), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and glucose levels were assessed biochemically. WP significantly decreased serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, and glucose levels, while increasing serum HDL-C and triglyceride levels. Immunohistochemistry revealed elevated expression of VEGF and FGF-1 in the aortic tunica media and reduced aortic tunica intima thickness, without other histopathological alterations in cardiac or aortic tissues. WP supplementation elevated lipid levels and reduced glucose levels, without causing morphological damage. The increased expression of VEGF and FGF-1, along with significant changes in biochemical parameters, such as decreased total cholesterol, LDL-C, and glucose levels, and increased HDL-C and triglycerides, suggests that WP may influence molecular markers associated with vascular and metabolic processes. These findings underscore the necessity for further research to better understand the long-term cardiovascular implications of WP supplementation.

Keywords

Project Number

None

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Histology and Embryology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Özden Kutlay ^*
0000-0001-5509-6650
Türkiye

Esra Aslan
0000-0002-3191-4978
Türkiye

Tülay Akan
0000-0002-6222-315X
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

March 2, 2026

Publication Date

March 2, 2026

Submission Date

August 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 23, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 73 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1772261

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA87RX23UK

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kutlay, Ö., Aslan, E., & Akan, T. (2026). Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, 73(2), 227-235. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1772261

AMA

1.Kutlay Ö, Aslan E, Akan T. Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73(2):227-235. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1772261

Chicago

Kutlay, Özden, Esra Aslan, and Tülay Akan. 2026. “Four-Week Whey Protein Supplementation Modulates Biochemical and Angiogenic Parameters in Rat Cardiovascular Tissues”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 (2): 227-35. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1772261.

EndNote

Kutlay Ö, Aslan E, Akan T (April 1, 2026) Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73 2 227–235.

IEEE

[1]Ö. Kutlay, E. Aslan, and T. Akan, “Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 227–235, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1772261.

ISNAD

Kutlay, Özden - Aslan, Esra - Akan, Tülay. “Four-Week Whey Protein Supplementation Modulates Biochemical and Angiogenic Parameters in Rat Cardiovascular Tissues”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi 73/2 (April 1, 2026): 227-235. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1772261.

JAMA

1.Kutlay Ö, Aslan E, Akan T. Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;73:227–235.

MLA

Kutlay, Özden, et al. “Four-Week Whey Protein Supplementation Modulates Biochemical and Angiogenic Parameters in Rat Cardiovascular Tissues”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 73, no. 2, Apr. 2026, pp. 227-35, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1772261.

Vancouver

1.Özden Kutlay, Esra Aslan, Tülay Akan. Four-week whey protein supplementation modulates biochemical and angiogenic parameters in rat cardiovascular tissues. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Apr. 1;73(2):227-35. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1772261