Pubmed - Colostrinin: an oxidative stress modulator for prevention and treatment of age-related disorders eg. Alzheimer's Disease

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX 77555, USA.

Abstract

Colostrum-derived proline-rich polypeptide, also known as Colostrinin (CLN), has been shown to have a stabilizing effect on cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease patients. This complex action of CLN could be related to prevention of amyloid-beta peptide aggregation, as shown in in vitro studies, and its impact on delicate cassettes of signaling pathways common to cellular redox regulation, proliferation and differentiation. 

Studies on cultured cells showed that CLN modulates intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), via regulation of glutathione metabolism, activity of antioxidant enzymes and mitochondria function. Due to an improvement in senescence-associated mitochondrial dysfunction and a decrease in ROS generation, CLN decelerates the aging processes of both cultured cells and experimental animals. When given orally to mice, CLN increased the lifespan and improved various motor and sensory activities. 

Although the molecular basis by which CLN exerts its diverse effects are still under investigation, the regulatory effect on the cellular redox state via maintenance of mitochondrial function and modification of ROS-induced cell signaling seem to be of great importance. In this article, we examine experimental data pertinent to the mechanism of action, including a review of CLN's utility in the maintenance of physiological processes in which oxidative stress has an etiological role.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18430998

Pubmed - Colostrinin decreases hypersensitivity and allergic responses to common allergens

Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. sboldogh@utmb.edu

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Colostrinin (CLN), isolated from pre-milk fluid (colostrum), is a uniform mixture of low-molecular-weight, proline-rich polypeptides. CLN induces neurite outgrowth of pheochromocytoma cells, extends the lifespan of diploid fibroblast cells, inhibits beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis and improves cognitive functions when administered to Alzheimer's disease patients.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to investigate potential allergic responses to CLN and its impact on allergicsensitization and inflammation caused by common allergens.

METHODS:

We used a well-characterized mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. Changes in IgE/IgG1 and mucin levels, airway eosinophilia and hyperreactivity to methacholine were determined by ELISA, differential cell counting and whole-body plethysmography, respectively.

RESULTS:

CLN did not increase IgE/IgG1 levels or induce cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction, airway inflammation and mucin production. Importantly, CLN significantly (p < 0.001) decreased IgE/IgG1 production, airway eosinophilia, mucin production and hypersensitivity induced by allergenic extracts from ragweed pollen grains and house dust mites.

CONCLUSION:

CLN itself is non-allergenic; however, it is effective in preventing allergic responses to known indoor and outdoor allergens. These data support the safe application of CLN and its potential use in the prevention of allergic inflammation in humans.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18367843

Pubmed - Protective effects of bovine colostrum on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced intestinal damage in rats

Departments of Internal Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. jeonwk@samsung.co.kr

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine whether bovine colostrum was able to prevent the NSAID induced small intestinal damage in animals. 

The animal model population of the study consisted of 4 groups: control group, diclofenac group, diclofenac with 10% low fat milk group and diclofenac with 5% colostrum group. The animals with milk or colostrum were fed with 10% low fat milk or 5% colostral solution for 5 days before the administration of diclofenac. Gut injuries were induced by administration of a single dose of diclofenac (100 mg/kg orally). Epithelial permeability values (24 hour urinary excretion of 51Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [51Cr-EDTA]), enteric aerobic bacterial counts, serum biochemical profiles and pathologic findings of distal ileum were measured. 

Diclofenac caused a marked increase in the intestinal permeability, enteric bacterial numbers and intestinal villous damage, and enteric protein and albumin loss. 

Combined administration of bovine colostrum reduced the increase in intestinal permeability, enteric bacterial overgrowth, protein losing enteropathy and mucosal villous damage of the small intestine induced by diclofenac. 

Bovine colostrum may have a beneficial effect in prevention of NSAID induced small intestinal injuries.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15734716

Pubmed - The safety of New Zealand bovine colostrum: nutritional and physiological evaluation in rats

Bioactivity Investigation Group, Wellington Medical School, Otago University, Wellington, New Zealand.

Abstract

The potential detrimental effects of two different oral doses of bovine colostrum were assessed in young rats according to OECD guidelines. Colostrum was supplemented at 3% and 10% into a normal rat chow. A control group received the rat chow with no supplementation. 

After 90 days there was no difference between colostrum-fed animals and the control group in body weight, food consumption, clinical signs, haematology and most parameters of blood chemistry including carbohydrate metabolism, liver function and kidney function. The only effects of statistical significance were a decrease in serum cholesterol concentration in the rats receiving 10% colostrum (p<0.025), and a 33% increase in serum triglyceride concentration in the rats receiving 3% colostrum (p<0.005) although this was not apparent in the 10% colostrum group. 

Further, histological examination of most organs and tissues confirmed that there were no apparent differences between the animals receiving colostrum compared to controls. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the young growing rats had no observed toxicological and histopathological abnormalities caused by colostrum at the levels of supplementation used.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17046134

Pubmed - Prevention of influenza episodes with colostrum compared with vaccination in healthy and high-risk cardiovascular subjects: the epidemiologic study in San Valentino

San Valentino-Spoltore Vascular Screening Project, Department of Biomedical Sciences, G D'annunzio University, Chieti, Pescara, Italy.

Abstract

The efficacy of a 2-month treatment with oral colostrum in the prevention of flu episodes compared with antiinfluenza vaccination was evaluated. Groups included healthy subjects without prophylaxis and those receiving both vaccination and colostrum. 

After 3 months of follow-up, the number of days with flu was 3 times higher in the non-colostrum subjects. The colostrum group had 13 episodes versus 14 in the colostrum + vaccination group, 41 in the group without prophylaxis, and 57 in nontreated subjects. Part 2 of the study had a similar protocol with 65 very high-risk cardiovascular subjects, all of whom had prophylaxis. 

The incidence of complications and hospital admission was higher in the group that received only a vaccination compared with the colostrum groups. Colostrum, both in healthy subjects and high-risk cardiovascular patients, is at least 3 times more effective than vaccination to prevent flu and is very cost-effective.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17456621

Pubmed - Technological options for the production of health-promoting proteins and peptides derived from milk and colostrum.

MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Biotechnology and Food Research, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland. hannu.j.korhonen@mtt.fi

Abstract

Milk proteins are known to exert a wide range of nutritional, functional and biological activities. Apart from being a balanced source of valuable amino acids, milk proteins contribute to the consistency and sensory properties of various dairy products. Furthermore, many milk proteins possess specific biological properties which make them potential ingredients of health-promoting foods. 

These properties are attributed to both native protein molecules and to physiologically active peptides encrypted in the protein molecules. Considerable progress has been made over the last twenty years in technologies aimed at separation, fractionation and isolation in a purified form of many interesting proteins occurring in bovine colostrum and milk. Industrial-scale methods have been developed for native whey proteins such as immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin. 

Promising product concepts and novel fields of use have emerged recently, and some of these molecules have already found commercial applications. The same applies to bioactive peptides derived from different milk proteins. 

Active peptides can be liberated during gastrointestinal digestion or milk fermentation with proteolytic enzymes. Such peptides may exert a number of physiological effects in vivo on the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, nervous and other body systems. However, at present the industrial-scale production of such peptides is limited by a lack of suitable technologies. 

On the other hand, a number of bioactive peptides have been identified in fermented dairy products, and there are already a few commercial dairy products enriched with blood pressure-reducing milk protein peptides. There is a need to develop methods to optimise the activity of bioactive peptides in food systems and to enable their optimum utilisation in the body. 

This review highlights existing modern technologies applicable for the isolation of bioactive native proteins and peptides derived from bovine colostrum, milk and cheese whey, and discusses aspects of their current and potential applications for human nutrition and promotion of human health.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17430184

Pubmed - Role of colostrum in gastrointestinal infections

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Gastroenterology, Post Graduate Institute Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Abstract

Colostrum is breast milk produced after the birth of the newborn and lasts for 2-4 days. Colostrum is very important part of breast milk and lays down the immune system and confers growth factors and other protective factors for the young ones in mammals. This is the source of passive immunity transferred to the baby from the mother. 

The biological value of bovinecolostrum in present day medical practice is documented in clinical trials and large databases containing case reports and anecdotal findings. The main actions include an antibacterial effect and modulation of immune response with the ability to neutralize lipopolysaccharides arising from gram negative bacterial pathogens. 

It has been found to be effective in infantile hemorrhagic diarrheas, other diarrheas and reduces the likelihood of disease progressing to hemolytic uremic syndrome. It has also been tested in H. pylori infection and diarrhea in immunodeficiency. Side effects of clinical relevance are limited to possible intolerance due to lactose and sensitivity to milk proteins.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19011803