Recently, donkey milk has been indicated as a functional food because of its special nutritional properties and composition, which is very close to human milk.

The present study aimed to evaluate DM effect on lipid metabolism, inflammation and hepatic mitochondrial function.

Methods: 

Three groups of rats were used: rats receiving standard diet (N), rats receiving standard diet + a supplementation with cow milk (30ml per day, energy density 281,5 kJ/100ml) (C), rats receiving standard diet + a supplementation with donkey milk (60ml per day, energy density 145 kJ/100ml) (D). The experimental period lasted 4 weeks. Resting metabolic rate, energy expenditure, serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and TNFa were detected. At hepatic level, TNFa content, mitochondrial fatty acids oxidation, energy efficiency, oxidative stress and UCP2 protein content were measured.

Results: 

Body weight gain in N and D groups were similar and significantly lower than C rats, while metabolizable energy intake were similar in C and D rats but significantly higher compared to N.

D rats showed: a) highest body oxygen consumption and daily energy expenditure, b)lowest triglycerides and TNFa serum levels and hepatic TNFa content; c)highest mitochondrial protein mass, fatty acid oxidation and UCP2 protein content; d)lowest mitochondrial oxidative stress and energy efficiency.

Conclusions: 

These data emphasise the beneficial effect of DM and suggest that its consumption should be encouraged

Conflict of Interest: 

None disclosed