The Study of Nutraceutical Effects of the Whey Zonar and of Lyophilized Concentrate Obtained from Zonar in C26 Colon Carcinoma Grafted Subcutaneously in Balb/C Mice

Abstract

This paper investigates the nutraceutical properties of the whey Zonar and of lyophilized concentrate obtained from Zonar in C26 tumor bearing BALB/C mice. The experiment was conducted on 30 female mice, divided into 6 groups (n=5). Groups 4, 5 and 6 were injected subcutaneously with 1*10⁶ C26 carcinoma cells. Groups 2,3, 5 and 6 received a diet based on Zonar products. The evolution of body mass and tumor volume was assessed weekly. At the end of the 21-day study, blood samples for hematological, biochemical and oxidative stress analysis were drawn and tumor tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination. After 21 days, a significant in vivo reduction of the tumor volume in groups 5 and 6 was recorded. The biochemical analysis showed Zonar's protective muscular effects, due to decreases of the creatine-kinase level in groups 5 and 6. Further investigations revealed an increased level of glutathione in all groups which received Zonar, eliciting its antioxidant potential. Histopathologically, increased necrotic areas highlighted the anti-tumoral effect of the synergism between Zonar and the lyophilized concentrate. The results of this experiment implies that whey Zonar & the lyophilized whey prevents tumor cachexia, as well as other cancer associated adverse effects.