Consumption of curcumin-added whey protein concentrate positively modulates intestinal health parameters after exhaustive exercise.

Exhaustive physical exercise can impact intestinal health, affecting permeability, inflammation and the production of SCFA. Dietary modifications, such as the consumption of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and curcumin (CCM), can modulate these effects due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the impact of WPC + CCM and CCM in Wistar rats submitted to exhaustive exercise (EE). Forty-eight male Wistar rats (age: 12 weeks) were randomly divided into 6 groups (n 8). After 4 weeks on diet, rats from EE groups were submitted to an exhaustive swimming test. Twenty-four hours later, animals from all experimental groups were euthanised and had feces collected from the caecum. The colon was dissected for interest analysis. SCFA, oxidative stress, real-time PCR and histomorphometry analyses were performed. The results showed that the SCFA content remained stable, malondialdehyde levels did not vary, but the WPC + CCM group showed higher carbonylated protein concentration. Nitric oxide decreased in the treated groups, while antioxidant enzymes increased in the WPC + CCM and CCM groups, except for glutathione, which decreased. The expression of Nrf2, NF-κB and occludin was maintained, and the expression of claudin increased after physical stress with the consumption of WPC + CCM. CCM increased mucosal thickness and preserved goblet cells. In conclusion, WPC + CCM prevented increased oxidative stress and inflammation and preserved the production of SCFA, antioxidant activity and intestinal integrity of rats after exhaustive exercise.