Summary: Helicobacter pylori, an etiological factor of chronic, active gastritis and duodenal ulcers in humans, and Helicobacter mustelae - a gastric pathogen in ferrets binds to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), a component of the host's gastric mucosa cells and gangliotetraosylceramide (Gg4) as well as gangliotriaosylceramide (Gg4) and gangliotriaosylceramide (Gg4).The effect of bovine colostrum concentrate (BCC) in interaction with H. pylori and H. mustelae on their lipid receptors has been studied. BCC blocked bonding from both species to Gg4, Gg3, and PE. Partial bonding inhibition has been noted with native bovine and human Colostrum. BCC lacked detectable antibodies (by immunobloting) to the surface of H. Pylori (adhesin) proteins. However, bovine lipid extracts contained PE and lyso-PE, which bond H. pylori in vitro. These results indicate that Colostrum may block the bonding of Helicobacter species to selected lipids and this bonding inhibition is entrusted, in part, by colostral phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) or their derivatives. Colostral lipids can modulate the interaction of H. pylori and other adhesin-expressing pathogens with their target tissues.

Summary: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of bovine colostrum supplementation on body composition and performance while exercising in terms of physically active men and women. Study participants were randomly assigned to a placebo group (consuming whey protein) and a group with bovine colostrum (20 grams per day in powder form). Each subject participated in aerobic and immune training at least 3 times a week. Body composition was examined by a double-beam X-ray absorption analysis. The time measured on a treadmill until fatigue, one repetition of maximum endurance (bench press), and the total number of repetitions performed during one session until the point of fatigue on a submaximal load for bench presses (50% and 100% respectively for men and women) have been set. The whey protein group showed a significant increase (P <0.05) in body weight (average increase 2.11 kg), while in the bovine colostrum group an increase in boneless lean body mass (average increase 1.49 kg) was noted. There were no changes in other measured parameters. Therefore, supplementation with bovine colostrum (20 grams per day) combined with exercising for 8 weeks can contribute to an increase in boneless lean body mass in the case of physically active men and women.

Basis: This study analyzes the effects of colostrum on the modulation of antioxidant parameters in skeletal muscle of mice induced by physical exercise. Adult male BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups (control, only with Colostrum, with exercises, and with exercises and Colostrum) and each group had its own 3 subgroups (days 0, 21, and 42). The Colostrum mouse group received a daily oral dose of Colostrum at 50 mg/kg of body weight, and the exercise mouse group was to exercise on a treadmill for 30 minutes each day. The total number of antioxidants, lipid hydroxides, levels of antine oxidase, and superoxide dismutase were determined based on hind limb skeletal muscle homogenate.

Results: Exercise caused significant oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle, as evidenced by elevated levels of lipid hydroxides and xanthine oxidase. A significant reduction in the level of antioxidants and superoxide dismutase has been noticed. Daily consumption of bovine colostrum supplement significantly lowered the level of lipid hydroperoxide and xidase oxidase, as well as increased the levels of antioxidants in leg muscles.

Summary: The findings of this study showed that daily consumption of Colostrum bovinum supplement had a positive effect on skeletal muscles by reducing oxidative damage formed during muscle exertion.

Summary: Endurance training can increase intestinal permeability, which can contribute to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms in the case of some athletes. Supplementation with Colostrum bovinum reduces intestinal permeability caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The study aimed to determine whether Colostrum bovinum could also reduce intestinal permeability induced by endurance exercise. Thirty healthy adult men (25.0 ± 4.7 years; mean ± standard deviation) completed eight weeks of training with running three times a week for 45 minutes at their lactate threshold while consuming Colostrum bovinum 60 g/day, whey protein (WP), or control (CON). Intestinal permeability was assessed at the beginning and after eight weeks, by measuring the ratio of lactose excretion in urine (L) and rhamnose (R). After eight weeks, the L/R ratio increased significantly in the case of volunteers consuming Colostrum bovinum (251 ± 140%) compared to whey protein (21 ± 35%, P <0.05) and CON (-7 ± 13%, P <0.02). The increase in intestinal permeability with Colostrum bovinum may have been caused by Colostrum bovinum contributing to increased leakage of tight connections between enterocytes or by increased macromolecular transport, as is the case of the neonatal intestine. Further research should study the potential of Colostrum bovinum to increase intestinal macromolecular transport in case of adults

Summary: The effectiveness of a 2-month oral colostrum treatment in preventing influenza episodes compared with influenza vaccination has been assessed. The groups included healthy people without prophylaxis and receiving both vaccinations and colostrum. After 3 months of observation, the number of days with influenza was three times higher in terms of people without colostrum. The colostrum group experienced 13 episodes compared to 14 in the colostrum + vaccinations group, 41 in the non-prophylaxis group, and 57 in terms of untreated individuals. In the second part of the study, a similar protocol was used for 65 people at high risk for cardiovascular disease, all of which were covered by preventive measures. The occurrence of complications and admission to a hospital was higher in the group that only received vaccination when compared to those who received colostrum. Colostrum, both in case of healthy individuals as well as patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease, is at least 3 times more effective than vaccination against influenza and more profitable.

Abstract: Human lactoferrin (hLF) as well as bovine lactoferrin (bLF) inhibited infection of tissue culture cells with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). The addition of lactoferrin (LF) inhibited both in vitro infection and replication of HCMV and HSV-1 in human embryo lung host cells. The maximum inhibition by more than six exponentials of TCID50 for HCMV and four exponentials for HSV-1 was obtained at a concentration in a range from 0.5 to 1 mg of LF per ml of medium. The antiviral activity of LF was associated with its protein moiety, but not with its iron molecule or sialic acid. None of other transferrin gene family members bound to ferrous ions or sialic acid possessed significant antiviral activity. Additionally, we found that LF prevented virus adsorption and/or penetration into host cells, indicating an effect on the early events of virus infection. Preincubation of host cells with LF for 5 to 10 min was sufficient to prevent HCMV infection, even when LF was removed after addition of virus. These results suggest that LF possesses a potent antiviral activity and may be useful in preventing HCMV and HSV-1 infection in humans.