Abstract: To estimate the oxidative damage of high protein diet on of pancreas function in mice, thirty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, high protein group and cysteamine group. Each group was fed for 2 weeks, and then pancreas samples were collected to examine pancreas function. The results showed that ingestion of high protein diet markedly increased contents of MDA and decreased T-AOC and activities of SOD and GSH-Px (P＜0.05). Pancreas weight and concentration of protein, DNA and RNA were significantly increased. Digestive enzyme activities were significantly decreased and levels of somatostatin and insulin were enhanced (P＜0.05). Supplemented cysteamine decreased free radical levels and increased antioxidative capability, and improved pancreas function. These data demonstrated that high protein diet can increase oxidative damage of free radical on pancreas function through destroying balance of oxidant and antioxidant.

Key words: high protein diet; pancreas; oxidative damage; antioxidant; mice