Comparative evaluation of feeding effects of A1 and A2 cow milk derived casein hydrolysates in diabetic model of rats

Abstract

The present study was designed to test diabetogenic activity of A1 and A2 casein hydrolysates and other related pathological conditions, in murine species. 6 weeks old adult male wistar rats were selected and first divided into 3 groups (n = 12) as Control, A1CH and A2CH were fed with respective A1 and A2 casein hydrolysate diets for 50 days. On 51st day, each group was divided into 2 sub groups (n = 6) and diabetes was induced in one subgroup of each group using Streptozotocin, which resulted in 6 sub groups. The fasting blood glucose level and other biochemical, diabetic specific parameters and histopathological findings post sacrifice, did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among control, A1CH and A2CH groups. Whereas, the diabetic rats showed significant (p < 0.05) increase in the fasting blood glucose levels, blood biochemicals and significant (p < 0.05) decrease in body weight, HDL, insulin and C-peptide levels when compared to healthy rats. However, there was no significance (p < 0.05) difference in various biochemical, diabetic specific parameters and histopathological findings among the diabetic groups viz., STZ, A1CH + STZ, A2CH + STZ except the significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of cholesterol and LDL noticed in A1CH + STZ as compared to STZ group. The results suggest that A1 and A2 casein hydrolysates did not have any marked effect on various health parameters when fed for 60 days to the healthy rats and the STZ induced rats for the last 10 days of the study.

Keywords

• β-Casein variants
• Type 1 diabetes
• Casein hydrolysates
• A1/A2 milk