Antiapoptotic and chemotaxis-stimulating effects of poly (d, l-lactide-co-glycolide)-chitosan and whey proteins against aflatoxicosis-induced splenic and thymic atrophy

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin B (AFB) induces toxicological effects on the liver and immune organs. The whey proteins can modulate the immune response during aflatoxicosis. Our work evaluates the novel polylactic acid-glycolic acid-chitosan-encapsulated bovine and camel whey proteins against AFB-induced thymic and splenic atrophy in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy adult male Wister albino rats were divided into a control healthy group (G1) and six AFB1-intoxicated groups (G2–G7). One of the following supplements: distilled water, camel whey proteins (CWP), bovine whey proteins, poly (d, l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)- chitosan-loaded with camel whey protein microparticles (CMP), PLGA-chitosan loaded with bovine whey protein microparticles (BMP), and PLGA-chitosan nanoparticles were administered as prophylactic supplements to AFB1-intoxicated groups. The AFB-treated group showed significantly higher hepatic levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of antioxidants. In the aflatoxicated group, atrophy of the splenic lymphatic nodules and disfigurement in the organisation with an apparent decrease in the thickness of the cortex in the thymus were observed, as well as a decrease in splenic and thymic CD4+T and CD8+T lymphocytes. Moreover, CXCL12 levels were downregulated, whereas tumour necrosis factor-alpha, nuclear factor kappa B, and cleaved caspase-3 levels were upregulated. CWP, BMP, and CMP supplements markedly decreased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as significantly raised CXCL12, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells. CONCLUSIONS: The CWP, BMP, and CMP supplements rescue the liver and immune tissues from the toxic effects of AFB through their antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and chemotaxis-enhancing roles. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11033-023-08902-7.