Colostrum immunoglobulins and the complement system - Potential ingredients of functional foods
1998
Korhonen, H. (Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Jokioinen (Finland))
The importance of colostrum to the growth and health of a newborn offspring is well known. In bovine colostrum, the antibody (immunoglobulin) complement system provides a major antimicrobial effect against a wide range of microbes and confers a passive immunity until the calf's own immune system has matured. The concentration of specific antibodies in mammary secretions can be raised by immunizing cows with certain immunogens or vaccines. Such hyperimmune colostrum or antibodies isolated from it provide an increased specific protection against different enteric diseases in calves and pigs. In many countries, colostral Ig supplements are commercially available. Since the late 1980s renewed interest has been focused on the possibilities of exploiting bovine colostral antibodies for passive immunotherapy or prophylaxis of human gastrointestinal diseases. Indeed, bovine colostrum-based immune milk preparations have proven effective against various human microbial diseases. A few commercial products are already on the market. Currently, clinical studies are in progress in many countries to evaluate the protective or therapeutic potential of immune milk products against, for example, Clostridium difficile or Helicobacter pylori infections. This brief review summarizes the recent progress made in the development of immune milk products and evaluates their potential as health-promoting functional foods.
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Эту запись предоставил University of Liège