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