Effect of fermented skim milk fortified with probiotic bacteria on some physiological parameters in growing male rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fermented and non fermented skim milk on blood lipid profile and blood sugar in Sprague-Dawley rats as a model. Rats fed on 1% cholesterol diet, two probiotics were used (L. acidophilus and B. bifidum). Results showed a significant increase in diet conversion efficiency for groups fed on fermented milk with B. bifidum and those fed on B. bifidum and L. acidophilus compared with control group. A slight decrease in total cholesterol (TC) was noticed in most groups, the best treatment was fermented L. acidophilus mixed with B. bifidum. In addition a significant decrease) P<0.05) was found in triglycerides (TG) in the same group. A significant increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in L. acidophilus with fermentation and B. bifidum with fermentation. Liver glycogen showed a significant increase in rats fed on fermented B. bifidum and L. acidophilus. Muscle glycogen showed a significant increase in all groups except for L. acidophilus with out fermentation. It is concluded that the mentioned diets play a positive role to improve lipid profile of rats and increase muscle glycogen. Non significant changes were found in blood glucose in all groups.