RESULTS
Effect of sericin on body weight and food
consumption
Table 3 presents the initial, final body weights, body
weight gain and food consumption of casein-fed rats
(Group I) and sericin-fed rats (Group II). The body
weights and body weight gain of both casein and
sericin diet were similar. No statistically significant
difference was observed in food consumption between
both groups of rats.
Effect of sericin on complete blood count
The average values of complete blood count of rats
fed with casein and sericin diet are shown in Fig. 1.
There was no change in complete blood count of the
two groups of rats. These results also suggest that
the type of protein (casein or sericin) has no effect on
the pattern of these cells. The leukocyte profile of the
rats was analysed based on cell surface markers on the
peripheral blood leukocytes. Fig. 2 shows leukocyte
subpopulations. There were similar percentages of
the majority of leukocyte subpopulations in rats fed
with casein and sericin diets. However, a significant
reduction was found in CD8a positive cells and CD80
positive cells in the rats fed with sericin diet (Group II)
as compared with casein diet group (Group I).