Colostrum supplement helps recovery of endurance atheletes - Competetive cycling

School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this pilot investigation was to examine the influence of bovine colostrum protein concentrate (CPC) supplementation on salivary hormones, salivary IgA and heart rate variability over consecutive days of competitive cycling. Methods: Ten highly-trained male road cyclists (mean±SEM; age=22.2±4.7 yr; mass=70.5±4.5 kg; VO2max=72.9±3.8 mL.kg-1.min-1) were randomly assigned to a control (N.=6, 10g whey protein concentrate/day) or bovine CPC group (N.=4, 10 g bovine CPC/day). Cyclists provided a baseline saliva sample before commencing eight weeks of supplementation, and competing in a five day cycle race. 

Cyclists provided saliva samples and measured heart rate variability (HRV) each day of the race. Saliva samples were analysed for cortisol, testosterone and IgA concentrations. Results: Bovine CPC supplementation was associated with increased morning cortisol concentration on the first day of racing when compared to the control group (P=0.004) and significantly prevented a decrease in testosterone concentration over the race period (P≤0.05). Across the race period parasympathetic indices of HRV were elevated in the bovine CPC group and reduced in the control group (P≤0.05), while there were no significant differences in salivary IgA between groups. Conclusion: Bovine CPC supplementation maintained salivary testosterone concentration and modulated autonomic activity over consecutive days of competitive cycling. 

This pilot study provides justification to explore the effects of bovine CPC on recovery in endurance athletes further.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23903529

Pubmed - Preoperative oral application of immunoglobulin-enriched colostrum milk and mediator response during abdominal surgery

Department of Surgery, University of Ulm, Germany.

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the influence of pre-operative oral application of an immunoglobulin-enriched milk preparation on endotoxin translocation and mediator release during and after abdominal surgery. 

Forty patients who had been treated by partial (n = 4) or total gastrectomy (n = 8) or pancreatic resection (n = 28) were enrolled in a placebo-controlled pilot study. Pre-operatively, patients were randomly treated for 3 days by oral application of a bovine milk preparation (lactobin 56g/day, n = 20) or placebo (n = 20). In both groups, endotoxin translocation and mediator release was studied pre- and intraoperatively by measuring endotoxin, endotoxin-neutralizing capacity (ENC), interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, transferrin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, albumin, apoliprotein-A1/-B, IgG, IgA, and IgM. The clinical course was followed up by daily evaluation of the Apache-II-score. Clinical data were comparable in both groups. 

The lactobin group showed significantly lower levels of endotoxin and ENC compared to the placebo group. Acute phase response, endotoxin-binding proteins, and clinical outcome did not differ between both groups. 

We conclude that prophylactic oral application of lactobin reduces perioperative endotoxemia and prevents reduction of ENC, suggesting a stabilization of gut barrier during abdominal surgery.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11795674

Pubmed - Bovine colostral antibody against verotoxin 2 derived from Escherichia coli O157:H7: resistance to proteases and effects in beagle dogs

Laboratory of Immunology, School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.

Abstract

A bovine colostral antibody against verotoxin (VT) 2 of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was administered orally to beagle dogs. The antibody remained in the dogs' small intestine for at least 2 h, whereas little serum antibody remained 1.5 h after administration. 

Furthermore, the antibody activity of secretory IgA did not change until 2 h after administration; however, the activity of IgG and IgM antibodies decreased by approximately 60% and 40% at 2 h after administration, respectively. Seven beagle dogs inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 producing VT2 were administered bovine colostral antibody or bovine colostral whey without antibody. With administration of bovine colostral whey without antibody, the amount of VT2 in feces decreased gradually after administration and increased again at 5 d after inoculation, whereas bovine colostral antibody significantly reduced the amount of VT2 in feces on the day after administration. In addition, 9 beagle dogs were given bovine colostral antibody, bovine plasma antibody, or saline. 

The amount of VT2 in feces again decreased significantly more rapidly after administration of bovine colostral antibody than after administration of bovine plasma antibody or saline.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19389308

Pubmed - Bovine colostrum as a biologic in clinical medicine: a review. Part I: biotechnological standards, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics and principles of treatment

Center for Transfusion Medicine, Münster, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service West gGmbH, Münster, Germany. w.struff@bsdwest.de

Abstract

Mammals supply their newborn before birth, at birth or shortly after birth with antibodies, immunocytes and humoral constituents. This "borrowed immunity" is a form of passive immunization to protect the newborn against environmental pathogens until it establishes its own pathogen recognition and disposal systems. 

In cows, goats, horses and some other animal species, most immunoglobulins are obtained from the colostrum, the first milk after birth, via the gut but in humans the majority of immunoglobulins, and those of the IgG-class in particular, are acquired from the mother by placental transport in the weeks prior to parturition. It has long been known that the consumption of bovine colostrum by humans has therapeutic effects e.g. in gastrointestinal infections, but only since the second half of the last century has it been possible to prepare stable, standardized preparations of colostrum. 

These biologics are administered to patients in combination with standard therapies as so-called balanced supportive diets. Investigations with standardized colostrum preparations in animal models of human disease and estimates of bovine IgG activity in the human GI-tract, described in this review, have provided preclinical data supporting the use of bovine colostrum in human diseases. On the other hand, the number of bovine colostrum products with a sufficiently large and reliable database is limited and the precise nature of the therapeutic targets is still being evaluated.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17474538

Pubmed - Bovine colostrums: a review of clinical uses

• Altern Med Rev. 2004 Mar;9(1):69.

Abstract

Bovine colostrums are the "early" milk produced by cows during the first several days post-parturition. This "early" milk has a nutrient profile and immunological composition that differs substantially from "mature" milk. Included in the nutrient profile are higher amounts of immunoglobulins, growth factors, cytokines, and nucleosides than are found in milk. 

Bovine colostrums are also rich in oligosaccharides, antimicrobials, and immune-regulating factors. Available evidence suggests a beneficial effect of supplementation of bovine colostrums in improving body composition, aspects of athletic performance, diarrhea in persons with immune-deficiency syndromes, NSAID-induced gastrointestinal disturbances, and aspects of the acute phase response that occurs secondary to surgery. 

Specific hyperimmune bovine colostrums, produced to have high neutralizing titer activity against Cryptosporidia, H. pylori, measles, rotavirus, and Shigella sp., appear to have clinical utility in conditions associated with these infectious organisms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14653766

Pubmed - Concentrated bovine colostrum protein supplementation reduces the incidence of self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in adult males

Centre for Research in Education and Sports Science Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Holbrooks Road, Underdale, South Australia 5032, Australia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Anecdotal reports suggest that bovine colostrum may prevent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). There is scant evidence to support such claims, although salivary IgA protects against URTI, and it was recently shown that bovinecolostrum increases salivary IgA.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

The present invesigation examined whether concentrated bovine colostrum protein (CBC) affected the incidence or duration of self-reported symptoms of URTI in adult males.

METHODS:

We examined logbooks containing self-reported symptoms of illness from previous studies which examined physiological effects of CBC. In these double-blind, placebo controlled studies, subjects had been randomly allocated to consume 60g. day(-1) of CBC (n = 93) or whey protein (WP) (n = 81) for eight weeks. Symptoms were coded using established criteria to identify those related to URTI. Since the incubation period for an URTI is up to five days, symptoms reported during the first week of supplementation (PRE-EXP) were analysed separately to preclude those arising from infection prior to study commencement.

RESULTS:

During PRE-EXP, there was no difference in the proportion of subjects taking the different supplements who reported symptoms of URTI (CBC, 11%,WP, 5%; 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) -14% to 2%; P = 0.16). During the subsequent seven weeks (i. e. the experimental period), a significantly lesser proportion of subjects taking CBC reported symptoms of URTI compared with those taking WP (CBC, 32%,WP, 48%, P = 0.03; 95 % CI -30 % to -2 %), but symptom duration did not differ (CBC, 6.8 +/- 4.2 days,WP, 6.0 +/- 4.4 days; P = 0.27).

CONCLUSION:

This study provides preliminary evidence that CBC may enhance resistance to the development of symptoms of URTI.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12923655

Pubmed - Prophylactic application of bovine colostrum ameliorates murine colitis via induction of immunoregulatory cells

Division of Gastroenterology, Centrum of Internal Medicine, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany. peggy.bodammer@uni-rostock.de

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies suggest a relationship between early weaning and the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease. Herein, we addressed the question whether bovine colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals, is able to prevent dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Prior to induction of colitis with 5% DSS, Naval Medical Research Institute mice were fed bovine colostrum [BV-20 or 200 mg/kg body weight (BW)], BSA (20 mg/kg BW), or water (100 μL) daily by oral gavage for 2 wk. The clinical severity of colitis was determined by scoring changes in BW and colon length reduction. Following 2 wk of observation, the colons were removed for histologic and immunohistochemical evaluation of inflammation. Flow cytometric phenotyping of leukocyte subsets was performed from peripheral blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleens. Administration of bovine colostrum improved the clinical and histologic severity of colorectal inflammation. Compared with BSA-fed and water-fed controls, BV-20 pretreated mice had significantly less severe weight loss and decreased colon shortening. Beneficial effects were accompanied by redistribution of immunoregulatory, peripheral and splenic γδ TCR(+) cells, and CD11b(+)Gr1(+) cells. Higher colostrum doses did not affect disease activity. In summary, prophylactic administration of colostrum improved clinical symptoms of colorectal inflammation in a well-established mouse model of DSS-induced colitis. Further investigations will target the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms to our approach.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21525246