Assessment of the safety of chicken egg yolk antibody (IgY) consumption by lipid peroxidation marker in mice

Production of antibodies in chickens (IgY) has significantly attracted attention of scientists. Numerous publications have reported use of IgY in diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis. Production of antigen-specific antibodies in chicken can help treat and prevent infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the safety  of IgY( anti  E. coli O157:H7)  on the antioxidant system in mice .Therefore in  this study, three different  doses of IgY against E. coli O157:H7 (0.9375, 1.875 and  3.75 g / kg)  were administrated through oral route to 18 mice (treated groups) and PBS to the control group  and 14 days after administration, blood samples were collected from the mice. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level and catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were measured using commercial kits. Oral administration of IgY against E. coli O157:H7 in  doses  of 0.9375, 1.875 and 3.75 g / kg  caused no  deaths and showed no toxic effects on mice. In this study, after 14 days of  IgY administration there were no significant changes in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) and  MDA  serum level   compared to the control group. Our findings revealed that oral administration of IgY against E. coli O157:H7 does not show any toxic effects and does not   disturb the antioxidant system in mice . These findings could be indicative of safety of oral administration  of  IgY in mice.