Effects of whey protein and testosterone on biochemical parameters in trained rats

Abstract

Consumption of dietary supplements such as whey protein (WP) and anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has become evident among athletes and exercise practitioners. This study aims to analyze the effects of WP supplementation and administration of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone, associated or not, in male Wistar rats subjected to forced swimming. Forty rats were divided into: Control group (G1), WP group (G2), WP + testosterone group (G3) and Testosterone group (G4). The four groups performed forced swimming for 30 minutes daily, five times a week. In all groups, the initial and final weight of the animals, the final weight of the heart and quadriceps, the biochemical parameters (glucose, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, albumin, total proteins, creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase), the glycemic curve and the hepatic and muscular glycogens were analyzed. WP supplementation, wheater or not associated with testosterone administration, did not promote changes in body, heart, liver or quadriceps weight, nor did alter glucose tolerance and hepatic or muscle glycogen storage, but the testosterone groups showed lower blood glucose values. Supplementation with WP caused a reduction in feed intake, whereas testosterone alone did not alter the intake. Hepatic and renal functions were not altered by either substance, but there was a tendency to worsen lipid profile motivated by the administration of testosterone, and the steroid associated with supplementation seems to decrease muscle damage caused by exercise.