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Methotrexate (MTX) is a cytotoxic immunosuppressant that is widely used in the treatment of tumours, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. This study aims to evaluate the effects of whey proteins on MTX-induced liver and kidney damage by focusing on oxidant–antioxidant systems and eating habits. The study was conducted in four groups of thirty Sprague–Dawley rats (control, control + whey protein concentrate (WPC), MTX, MTX + WPC). A single dose of 20 mg/kg MTX was administered intraperitoneally to the MTX groups. Control and MTX groups were given 2 g/kg WPC by oral gavage every day for 10 d. At the end of day 10, blood samples were drawn and liver and kidney tissues were removed. MTX administration increased the lipid peroxidation level and decreased glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase activities in the liver and kidney. Administration of WPC significantly reduced the damage caused by MTX in the liver and kidney. While a decrease in serum urea level and an increase in serum creatinine level were detected in the MTX group, WPC administration reversed these results up to control group levels. Administration of WPC to the MTX group significantly reversed the histopathological damage scores of the liver and kidney. WPC administration ameliorated the MTX-induced oxidative damage in the liver and kidney tissues due to its antioxidant properties. Liver and kidney damage can be prevented by using whey proteins as a nutraceutical in MTX therapy. In conclusion, whey proteins demonstrated a protective effect against MTX-induced liver and kidney damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat treatments may cause some chemical and physicochemical changes in milk, although milk is a heat-stable system. Heat treatments can cause different changes in different types of milk. This study aimed to compare the effects of pasteurization and boiling on goat and cow milk's macromolecular contents, glutathione levels, and superoxide dismutase activities. The protein level of both types of milk decreased with the pasteurization process, and boiling also reduced the protein level of goat milk. Both heat treatments reduced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione levels in both types of milk. While the boiling process did not change the cow's milk lactose level, it increased the goat milk lactose level. It was determined that pasteurization reduced the lactose level in both types of milk. Pasteurization did not change the fat level in cow milk but decreased the fat level in goat milk. In conclusion, cow milk was less affected by these heat treatments, which can be attributed to having large fat globules, high lactose concentration, and high heat resistance protein content compared to goat milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]