Effect of casein and whey proteins on examination stress

Abstract

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of casein and whey protein supplementation on examination stress. We have investigated different parameters of oxidative stress and immune function.Materials and Methods: The participants were divided into three groups: control, casein and whey. Casein and whey groups were supplemented with either casein or whey protein for 15 days. Blood samples were obtained at the beginning of the study (Day 0), on the examination day (Day 16) and five days after the examination (Day 21). Antioxidant capacity, glutathione, cortisol and cytokine levels (TNF-a, IL-6, IL-12) were measured.Results: An increase in antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels of the participants using whey protein was observed. Whey protein supplementation did not affect cortisol levels, but participants taking whey protein showed an increase in serum TNF-a and IL-6 levels. Conclusion:It is suggested that the use of whey protein strengthens the response to oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels, while supporting the immune system via cytokine release.

Acute or Short-term Effects of Whey Protein Alone or Along with Carbohydrate on Inflammation: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

“…Some of the included studies did not have adequate criteria for conducting a meta-analysis. For example, in some articles the exact values for inflammatory markers or measurement of variability were not clear on the graphs [37,43,46]; baseline values were not assessed or reported [30,38]; or the measurement unit for variability was not specified [25].…”

“…Besides, in more than half of the studies (13 studies (52%); seven in WP and six in the WP+CHO group) the inflammatory markers were measured at multiple time points (>2 times), while in ten studies (seven in WP and three in WP+CHO group) the markers were assessed two times (before and after the supplementation period). Furthermore, in one study conducted by de Carvalho et al [30], the inflammatory status was evaluated only at the end of the intervention, and in another one [38] although baseline values were checked out but not reported in the article. Poor § Since in some studies the inflammatory markers were not assessed for all the included participants, the sample size of the evaluated inflammatory markers was considered.…”