Cited by 46Gut microbiota and healthDiet, Metabolism, and DiseaseAnimal Nutrition and Physiology

Whey Protein Reduces Early Life Weight Gain in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

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Tranberg, Britt, Hellgren, Lars I., Lykkesfeldt, Jens, Sejrsen, Kristen, Jeamet, Aymeric, Rune, Ida, Ellekilde, Merete, Nielsen, Dennis S. +1 more·2013·PLoS ONE

Abstract

An increasing number of studies indicate that dairy products, including whey protein, alleviate several disorders of the metabolic syndrome. Here, we investigated the effects of whey protein isolate (whey) in mice fed a high-fat diet hypothesising that the metabolic effects of whey would be associated with changes in the gut microbiota composition. Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet ad libitum for 14 weeks with the protein source being either whey or casein. Faeces were collected at week 0, 7, and 13 and the fecal microbiota was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses of PCR-derived 16S rRNA gene (V3-region) amplicons. At the end of the study, plasma samples were collected and assayed for glucose, insulin and lipids. Whey significantly reduced body weight gain during the first four weeks of the study compared with casein (P<0.001-0.05). Hereafter weight gain was similar resulting in a 15% lower final body weight in the whey group relative to casein (34.0±1.0 g vs. 40.2±1.3 g, P<0.001). Food intake was unaffected by protein source throughout the study period. Fasting insulin was lower in the whey group (P<0.01) and glucose clearance was improved after an oral glucose challenge (P<0.05). Plasma cholesterol was lowered by whey compared to casein (P<0.001). The composition of the fecal microbiota differed between high- and low-fat groups at 13 weeks (P<0.05) whereas no difference was seen between whey and casein. In conclusion, whey initially reduced weight gain in young C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet compared to casein. Although the effect on weight gain ceased, whey alleviated glucose intolerance, improved insulin sensitivity and reduced plasma cholesterol. These findings could not be explained by changes in food intake or gut microbiota composition. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms behind the metabolic effects of whey.

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  • Feeding whey protein to mice attenuated some negative effects on gut microbiota composition, including increasing Lactobacillaceae/Lactobacillus and decreasing Clostridiaceae/Clostridium.

    “feeding of whey protein to mice attenuated some negative effects on the composition of the gut microbiota composition including increasing Lactobacillaceae/Lactobacillus and decreasing Clostridiaceae/Clostridium [184, 185].”

    From The athletic gut microbiota (2020) · cites this paper as [185]

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Authors
Tranberg, B., Hellgren, L. I., Lykkesfeldt, J., Sejrsen, K., Jeamet, A., Rune, I., Ellekilde, M., Nielsen, D. S., & Hansen, A. K.
Affiliations
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • Technical University of Denmark (DK)
Corresponding author
Tranberg, Britt
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2013-08-06
Volume
8
Issue
8
Pages
e71439
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2058692930
Cited by
46
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 9
FWCI
2.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Technical University of Denmark, DTU Orbit (Technical University of Denmark, DTU) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Forsknings- og Innovationsstyrelsen
  • Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education (2101-07-0094)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Keywords
whey protein isolate, casein, high-fat diet, gut microbiota, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, serum cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, milk protein, C57BL/6 mice
MeSH terms
Whey Proteins, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Body Weight, Insulin Resistance, Lipids, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Milk Proteins, Organ Size, Weight Gain, Glucose Intolerance, Mice, Diet, High-Fat

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