Effect of Protein Whey on Albumin, Inflammatory and Antioxidant Markers and Functional Prognosis among Acute Ischemic Patients

Abstract

The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of protein whey on inflammatory and antioxidant markers and functional prognosis among acute ischemic patients. Methods & Materials: In a clinical trial study, 40 patients with ischemic stroke for the first time who referred to Imam-Reza Educational Hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were included in the study. 21 patients (control group) received routine feeding of hospital and 19 patients (intervention group) received 20 grams of whey protein daily with routine gavage. Inflammatory markers including IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP and clinical variables, including NIHSS and MRS initially and 3 weeks later were evaluated and changes in both groups were recorded. Results: The mean of hs-CRP level at the beginning of the study in intervention group was 4.73±0.90 µg/ml and at the end of the study was 3.92±0.87 µg/ml (P=0.002). Also the mean of hs-CRP level at the beginning of the study in control group was 3.57±1.55 µg/ml and at the end of the study was 3.46±1.43 µg/ml (P=0.117). Reduction of hs-CRP level at the end of the study compared to the beginning of the study in the intervention group was significantly more than control group (P=0.021). The mean of TNF-α level at the beginning of the study in intervention group was 19.36±11.44 pg/ml and at the end of the study was 16.36±9.18 pg/ml (P=0.001).