Pubmed - A preparation from bovine colostrum in the treatment of HIV-positive patients with chronic diarrhea

Allgemeines Krankenhaus St. Georg, HIV-Ambulanz, Hamburg.

Abstract

In a prospective, open, uncontrolled study 25 patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus with chronic refractory diarrhea and either confirmed cryptosporidiosis (n = 7) or absence of demonstrable pathogenic organisms (n = 18) were treated with a daily oral dose of 10 g of an immunoglobulin preparation from bovine colostrum over a period of 10 days. 

Among the 7 patients with cryptosporidiosis, this treatment led to complete remission in 3 and partial remission in 2. Among the 18 patients with diarrhea and negative stool culture, complete remission of diarrhea was obtained in 7 and partial remission in 4. In the remaining 2 patients with cryptosporidiosis and the 7 patients with diarrhea but no demonstrable pathogens treatment produced no significant improvement of the diarrhea. Subsequent doubling of the Lactobin dose (2 x 10 g daily) in 8 of the nonresponders led to complete remission in one case and at least partial remission in a further 4 patients. 

Treatment of refractory diarrhea with 10 g immunoglobulins from bovine colostrum per day constitutes an important therapeutic approach and led to complete (40%) or partial (24%) remission of diarrhea in 64% of the patients described here.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8453259

Pubmed - Oral administration of insulin-like growth factor-I from colostral whey reduces blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Department of Agrofood Resources, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, 160, Nokjiro, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon 441-853, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of oral administration of the insulin-like growth factor-I-rich fraction (IGF-I-RF) from bovine colostral whey on the regulation of blood glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. 

We obtained a peptide fraction containing IGF-I (10 ng/mg protein) from Holstein colostrum within 24 h after parturition by using ultrafiltration. The blood glucose levels of STZ-induced diabetic mice fed with IGF-I-RF (50 μg/kg per d) were significantly reduced by 11 and 33 % at weeks 2 and 4, respectively (P < 0·05). The body weights of STZ-induced diabetic mice increased following the oral administration of the IGF-I-RF. The kidney weights of STZ-induced diabetic mice decreased significantly (P < 0·05) following the administration of the IGF-I-RF, and the liver weights of STZ-induced diabetic mice decreased significantly (P < 0·05) following the administration of 50 μg/kg per d of the IGF-I-RF. 

The present results indicate that the IGF-I-RF obtained from Holstein colostrum could be a useful component for an alternative therapeutic modality for the treatment of diabetes in insulin-resistant patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22018138

Pubmed - Bovine colostrum ameliorates diarrhea in infection with diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, shiga toxin-producing E. Coli, and E. coli expressing intimin and hemolysin

Children's Hospital, The University of Würzburg, Germany.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli may cause serious extraintestinal complications, but there is no specific treatment.

METHODS:

Patients with diarrhea caused by diarrheagenic E. coli, specifically Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and E. coli-expressing intimin and enterohemorrhagic E. coli-hemolysin were treated by administration of pooled bovine colostrum, rich in antibodies to Shiga toxin and enterohemorrhagic E. coli-hemolysin, in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Symptom resolution and fecal excretion of infecting strains were assessed.

RESULTS:

No side effects were attributable to colostrum. Stool frequencies in the group treated with bovine colostrum were significantly reduced compared with those in the placebo group. No effect of therapy on the carriage of the pathogens or on complications of the infection could be demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Bovine colostrum is well tolerated and diminishes frequency of loose stools in children with E. coli-associated diarrhea. A prospective study should be conducted among a larger number of children with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli identified early in illness, to determine the effectiveness of colostrum therapy.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10512407

Pubmed - Health-promoting effects of bovine colostrum in Type 2 diabetic patients can reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and ketones

Department of Food and Biotechnology, Korea University, Jochiwon, Chungnam 339-700, South Korea.

Abstract

Bovine colostrum (BC) has been reported to enhance immune function, reduce fat accumulation and facilitate the movement of glucose to the muscle. However, very few attempts have been made to examine its anti-diabetic effects in diabetes patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether BC decreases blood glucose, as well as cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and ketones levels, which can be elevated by obesity and stress in Type 2 diabetic patients. 

Sixteen patients (men=8, women=8) with Type 2 diabetes were randomized into the study. Each ingested 5 g of BC on an empty stomach every morning and night for 4 weeks. Blood glucose, ketones (beta-hydroxybutyric acid), total cholesterol and TGs were measured every week. In both the men and women, blood glucose levels at 2 and 8 h postprandial decreased continually during the experimental period. The rate of decrease in blood glucose at 8 h postprandial was not different between the men and women, but was higher in the women (14.25+/-2.66) than in the men (10.96+/-1.82%) at 2 h postprandial. Total cholesterol and TG levels decreased significantly in both the men and women after 4 weeks. Also, beta-hydroxybutyric acid level decreased with BC ingestion, but this was not significant.

These results suggest that BC can decrease levels of blood glucose and ketones, as well as reduce cholesterol and TGs, all of which may cause complications in Type 2 diabetic patients.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18602824

Pubmed - Antimicrobial activity of two peptides casecidin 15 and 17, found naturally in bovine colostrum

Teagasc, Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Abstract

AIMS:

To isolate and characterize peptides from bovine colostrum with antimicrobial activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS:

Three peptides were purified from fresh colostrum by a range of chromatographic methods using antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli DH5alpha to screen for the most active fractions. Two peptides, with antimicrobial activity, casecidin 17 and casecidin 15, were identical to sequences in the C-terminal of bovine beta-casein (YQEPVLGPVRGPFPIIV and YQEPVLGPVRGPFPI) and had corresponding molecular masses of 1881.00 and 1669.06 Da, respectively. The third peptide was the known peptide isracidin which has a mass of 2763.80 Da and sequence of RPKHPIKHQGLPQEVLNENLLRF. Casecidin 17 and casecidin 15 had identical minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) against E. coli DPC6053 of 0.4 mg ml(-1). Structural modelling suggested amphiphilic structures having identical inhibitory and structural properties. The MIC value of isracidin against E. coli DPC6053 was 0.2 mg ml(-1).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows the presence of three antimicrobial peptides in colostrum which may contribute to a bioprotective role to limit pathogen contamination. Furthermore, the discovery of casecidin 17 and 15 may provide the basis for novel antimicrobial peptide design.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:

This is the first study to characterize peptides with antimicrobial activity present in fresh bovine colostrum.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19054235

Pubmed - Bovine colostrum prevents bacterial translocation in an intestinal ischemia/reperfusion-injured rat model

Department of Emergency Medicine, Kohwang Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

This study evaluated whether or not bovine colostrum (BC) is able to treat or prevent intestinal barrier damage, bacterial translocation, and the related systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in an intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-injured rat model. 

Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats' intestinal I/R injuries were induced by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 30 minutes. After 3 hours of reperfusion and then twice daily reclamping during the experiment, the experimental group was given BC (4 mL/kg/day) perorally, and the other groups received 0.9% saline and low fat milk (LFM) after intestinal I/R injury. Seventy-two hours later we assessed (1) intestinal damage and intestinal permeability, (2) enteric bacterial count and bacterial translocation, (3) serum albumin, protein, and hepatic enzyme levels, (4) pathologic findings of ileum and lung, (5) activity of oxygen-free radical species, and (6) pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta). 

Intestinal damage, intestinal permeability, and bacterial translocation to other organs were significantly reduced in rats fed with BC after I/R when compared to rats fed LFM/saline after I/R (P < .05). In the evaluation of acute lung injury, neutrophils were found only in the lungs of the saline-fed group after I/R, and the wet/dry ratio of the lung tissue was significantly reduced in the BC-fed group after I/R compared to other I/R groups. 

A marked difference was found between LFM/saline-fed groups and BC-fed groups regarding malondialdehyde (P < .05) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (P < .01). In conclusion, BC may have beneficial effects in treating and preventing intestinal barrier damage, bacterial translocation and the related SIRS and MODS in the intestinal I/R-injured rat model.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19298194

Pubmed - Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial.

Department of Public Health, Gulu University Faculty of Medicine, Gulu, Uganda.

Abstract

AIM:

HIV-associated diarrhea is common in HIV/AIDS patients in developing countries. An earlier uncontrolled study showed that a nutritional product made from bovine colostrum (ColoPlus®) alleviates HIV-associated diarrhea. We performed a randomized single-blind controlled trial of addition of colostrum-based supplement (ColoPlus®) to standard anti-diarrhea treatment in HIV/AIDS patients with diarrhea.

METHODS:

Eighty-seven adult patients with HIV-associated diarrhea were recruited at Gulu Hospital and four community clinics in Northern Uganda. Forty-five patients were randomized to receive 50 g of colostrum-based supplement twice a day for 4 weeks in addition to standard anti-diarrhea treatment, and 42 patients received standard anti-diarrhea treatment alone. Patients were followed up for 9 weeks. Daily stool frequency was recorded, and body weight and body mass index were evaluated at weeks 1, 4 and 9. Baseline CD4+ count was measured at baseline and at week 9.

RESULTS:

Mean daily stool frequency decreased by 79% from 7.5 to 1.3 motions over the study period in patients oncolostrum-based supplement, compared to a 58% reduction in controls (p < 0.001). Self-reported fatigue was reduced by 85% in patients on colostrum-based supplement by week 9 compared to 43% reduction amongst controls (p < 0.001). Patients on colostrum-based supplement had 11% increase (p < 0,001) in mean body weight and body mass index by week 9, but no changes were observed in control subjects. Mean CD4+ count increased by 14% for patients on colostrum-based supplement, in contrast to 12% decrease in controls (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study shows that addition of colostrum-based supplement to standard therapy is effective in treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22161540