Hypocholesterolemic and Antioxidative Effects of Whole and Skimmed Goat Milk in Cholesterol-Fed Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the anti-hypercholesterolemic and antioxidative effects of whole goat milk (GM) and goat skim milk (GSM) in cholesterol-enriched diet (CED) induced hypercholesterolemic albino Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n=6): standard diet (SD), CED, CED+GM (25 ml/rat/day), and CED+GSM (25 ml/rat/day). Plasma lipid profile, atherogenic index (AI), faecal cholesterol excretion, hepatic lipid deposition, TBARS levels, liver index, and histomorphology were assessed after 30 days. CED significantly increased plasma total cholesterol, LDL-C, AI, hepatic cholesterol deposition, and oxidative stress markers. Supplementation with GM and GSM significantly reduced plasma TC, LDL-C, and AI, improved HDL-C levels, decreased TBARS in plasma and liver, and attenuated hepatic morphological alterations. GM demonstrated superior improvement in HDL-C and triglyceride reduction, whereas GSM showed moderate lipid-lowering effects. Faecal cholesterol excretion was not significantly elevated in GM and GSM groups compared to CED, suggesting hepatic modulation as the primary mechanism. These findings indicate that goat milk exerts protective effects against diet-induced hypercholesterolemia through lipid normalization and antioxidative mechanisms.