Summary: The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of bovine colostrum (Bioenervi) supplementation on the concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), immunoglobulin G, hormone as well as amino acids and immunoglobulin A in saliva during strength and speed training. Nine male sprinters and jumpers underwent, at 13 days intervals, three randomly selected experimental training sessions lasting 8 days. The only difference in treatments consisted of a drink consumed daily in the amount of 125 ml. After training, increases in IGF-I serum were observed in terms of the 25-ml Bioenervi treatment (125 ml contained 25 ml Bioenervi), and especially in the 125-ml treatment Bioenervi (125 ml contained 125 ml Bioenervi) compared to the placebo treatment (regular milk whey) (P <0.05). The change in IGF-I concentration over 8-day periods positively correlated with a change in insulin concentration over the same periods using Bioenervi 25 ml (r = 0.68; P = 0.045) and using Bioenervi 125 ml (r = 0.69; P = 0.038). Responses of immunoglobulin G, hormone and amino acid in serum, as well as saliva immunoglobulin A, were similar in three treatments. It seems that the bovine colostrum (Bioenervi) supplement may increase the concentration of IGF-I in serum for athletes during strength and speed training.

Summary: Colostrum is the initial natural food produced by female mammals during the first 24-36 hours immediately after giving birth. In chemical terms, colostrum is a very complex fluid rich in nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors. In cows, antibodies provide passive immunity for the newborn calf, while growth factors stimulate especially bowel growth. Other antimicrobial components in colostrum are lactoferrin, lysozyme, and lactoperoxidase. Bovine colostrum is also used as a raw material for manufacturing commercial products rich in immunoglobulin (immunological dairy preparations). These products can be administered orally to patients suffering from gastrointestinal infections or to prevent these infections. However, cows usually must be hyperimmunized against microorganisms if specific antibodies are required. Several studies on animals have shown that growth factors in bovine colostrum, in particular insulin-like growth factors, stimulate cell growth in the intestine. It is also known that bovine colostrum contains insulin, transforming growth factor β and associated growth factors, but their function in colostrum is not fully understood. Small amounts of these growth factors can also be found in normal milk. Growth factors as well as antimicrobial factors in colostrum may in the future be used as potential ingredients in clinical nutrition.

Summary: Colostrum constitutes the first milk of a nursing mother and is very important for physical and mental development as well as for disease prevention. Colostrum is a nutritious food produced within 48 hours of birth in the case of all mammals. Colostrum acts as a natural and 100% safe vaccine. Colostrum protects a child against a large number of infections by providing a strong immune system (high levels of leukocytes and white blood cells that destroy bacteria and pathogens). A newly born intestine is very permeable, Colostrum seals the holes of the digestive tract, preventing foreign substances from the mother to enter the newborn. Colostrum is an excellent food for a child, it contains all the necessary ingredients needed for proper child development. For children who have not been fed the right amount of Colostrum, colostrums supplements are the right choice. Colostrum supplements are prepared using the colostrum of cows, goats, and other animals. Colostrum obtained from these animals is most often similar to human in its composition, so its utility increases during these days. The following article discusses all components found in colostrum, its importance, and its role in disease prevention.

Basis: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are effective in treating arthritis, but cause gastrointestinal damage. Bovine colostrum is a rich source of growth factors and is sold as a health dietary supplement.

Aims: Investigating whether spray-dried, skimmed colostrum or dairy preparations can reduce gastrointestinal damage caused by indomethacin.

Methods: The effects of using test solutions administered orally were studied using a rat indomethacin model limiting stomach damage and an indomethacin model of mice with small intestinal damage. The effects of migration of the HT-29 human colorectal cancer cell line and the RIE-1 rat small intestine cell line were evaluated using a single-layer test system (used as an in vitro wound repair model) and the effect on proliferation determined using [3H]thymidine incorporation.

Results: Initial treatment with 0.5 or 1 ml of colostrum reduced stomach damage in rats by respectively 30% and 60%. The milk preparation was much less effective. The recombined transforming growth factor β added at a dose similar to that found in the colostrum preparation (12.5 ng/rat), reduced stomach damage by approximately 60%. The addition of colostrum to drinking water (10% v/v) prevented shortening the intestinal villi in terms of small intestinal damage of a mouse model. The addition of the preparation was ineffective. Colostrum increased the proliferation and migration of RIE-1 and HT-29 cells. These effects resulted mainly from colostrum components with a molecular weight greater than 30kDa.

Conclusions: Bovine colostrum may constitute a new and affordable approach towards the prevention and treatment of harmful NSAID effects on the intestine, and can also be useful in the treatment of other ulcerative bowel conditions.

Summary: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an 80 kDa iron-binding glycoprotein with multifunctional properties, useful in clinical and commercial applications. Currently, Lf possesses certain benefits, including modulation of the immune system, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant properties in terms of the health of infants, adults, and animals. In this study, the antibacterial activity of Lf has been examined after isolating and purifying bovine colostrum from Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Lf was purified using CMsephadex C50, cation exchange chromatography. Bacterial samples have been isolated from patients with burns, and microbiological activity was confirmed by biochemical tests. Different concentrations of Lf (0, 200, 400, 500, 600, and 700 μg/ml) affecting Pseudomonas and E. coli (DH5α) colonies as a positive control for two days. Our result indicated that LF was effective for Pseudomonas growth and the lowest inhibitory concentration of inset inhibitors was respectively 400 and 700 µg/ml. The result showed, unlike previous studies, that Lf has a stronger effect.

Summary: Bovine colostrum and milk provide a complete diet for a newborn. In the case of ruminants, bovine colostrum constitutes the main source of the initially acquired immunity of infants. Whereas, milk plays an important role in the mammalian defense system. In bovine colostrum, the concentration of immunoglobulins is particularly high, with IgG being the main class of immunoglobulin present in the milk of ruminants, in contrast to IgA which is the main immunoglobulin in human milk. Immunoglobulins are delivered to the secretions of the mammary glands through specialized receptors. Additionally to immunoglobulins, both bovine colostrum and milk contain viable cells including neutrophils and macrophages that secrete a wide range of immunity-related components to milk. They contain cytokines, antimicrobial proteins, and peptides such as lactoferrins, defensins, and cathelicidins. Mastoid epithelial cells also contribute to defending the provider by secreting a range of innate immune molecules. A detailed understanding of these proteins and peptides offers great potential in creating valuable products of the dairy industry. This is demonstrated by the widely used commercial applications of lactoferrin obtained from bovine milk. Knowledge concerning milk's immune function, especially how glands respond to pathogens, can be used to increase the number of immunological factors in milk through farm management practices and vaccination protocols. The latter method is currently used to maximize cow's milk yield - acquired IgA directed to specific antigens for therapeutic and prophylactic use. More and more complicated proteomics technologies are used to identify and describe the function of smaller milk components. A general view of immunological factors in colostrum and milk was shown, as well as research results aimed at raising awareness of the unutilized values of milk.