Bactrian Camel Whey Protein Powder Alleviates Acute Heat Stress-Induced Kidney Injury and Apoptosis in Rats

AbstractThis study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Bactrian camel whey protein (CWP) powder on acute heat stress (HS)-induced kidney injury and apoptosis in rats and to compare its efficacy with bovine whey protein (BWP). An acute heat stress rat model was constructed by randomly dividing SD rats into seven groups: control group, HS model group, CWP treatment group (low dose: 100 mg/kg, medium dose: 200 mg/kg and high dose: 400 mg/kg), BWP group (400 mg/kg) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) positive control group. The key assessment parameters included core body temperature (Tc), serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (S-cr) levels, histopathological changes in the kidneys, immunohistochemistry of NGAL expression and apoptosis assay using TUNEL assay. Exposure of rats to a temperature of 40°C ± 0.5°C and relative humidity of 60% ± 5% for 3 h induced heat stress and caused kidney injury and apoptosis, with the most severe damage occurring at 9 h of rewarming. Histopathological examination revealed glomerular congestion, inflammatory infiltrate and renal apoptosis.CWP treatment significantly reduced kidney injury markers and apoptosis rates, with the high dose (400 mg/kg) showing effect comparable to or superior to NAC and BWP. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that CWP effectively inhibited NGAL expression and promoted renal repair. CWP significantly mitigated acute HS-induced kidney injury in rats through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Its efficacy exceeded that of BWP, highlighting its potential as a natural protective agent.