Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
1. Nutrition and Food Sciences Dept., Faculty of Home Economics, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
2
2Therapeutic Nutrition Department, Faculty of Nutrition Science. Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the protective potential of germinated millet powder (GMP) against lead acetate-induced toxicity in male Sprague Dawley rats, focusing on growth performance and hepatorenal biomarkers for 4 weeks. Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups: a negative control, a positive control receiving lead acetate (20 mg/kg BW/week), and three groups fed diets containing 20%, 30%, or 40% GMP along with lead. Germination slightly improved millet’s nutritional profile by increasing protein and carbohydrates while reducing fat, fiber, and ash. GMP also showed higher antioxidant activity than raw millet, demonstrated by greater DPPH scavenging. Lead acetate was exposure in male albino rats caused significant reduction in feed intake, body weight gain, and feed efficiency ratio (FER), along with elevated liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP), kidney markers (urea, creatinine), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while catalase activity significantly decreased Relative liver and kidney weights also declined. GMP supplementation improved all parameters in a dose-dependent manner. The 40% GMP group showed near-normal growth performance, significantly reduced AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine, MDA levels, and restored catalase activity. In conclusion: Germinated millet powder exhibited strong protective effects against lead-induced hepatic and renal dysfunction. The observed improvements in liver and kidney markers, antioxidant balance, and organ weights are attributed to the enhanced antioxidant content and nutritional quality acquired through germination. These results support the use of GMP as a functional food to combat oxidative stress and mitigate heavy metal-induced hepatorenal toxicity
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