Chronic high-protein diet induces oxidative stress and alters the salivary gland function in rats

Objective: Chronic high protein intake leads to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, there is no data on the impact of high-protein diet on the antioxidant barrier, oxidative stress and secretory function in the salivary glands of healthy individuals.

Design: 16 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=8): normal protein (C) and high-protein diet (HP) for 8 weeks. Salivary antioxidants: peroxidase (Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD 1), uric acid (UA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and the oxidative stress index (OSI), as well as protein carbonyls (PC), 4-hydroxynonenal protein adduct (4-HNE protein adduct), 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and protein content were determined in the salivary glands and plasma. Salivary unstimulated and stimulated flow rates were examined.

Results: Parotid Px, TAS, UA, TOS, OSI, PC were significantly higher, the total protein content was statistically lower in the HP group as compared to the control. Submandibular UA, TOS, OSI, 8-isoP, 4-HNE-protein adduct, 8-OHdG were statistically elevated, SOD 1 and Px were significantly lower in the HP group as compared to the control rats. The unstimulated salivary flow rate was significantly depressed in the HP group as compared to the controls.

Conclusions: Higher antioxidant capacity in the parotid glands of HP rats vs. control rats seems to be a response to a higher ROS formation. In the submandibular glands severe oxidative modification of almost all cellular components was observed. Administration of HP resulted in the weakening of the salivary gland function.