Bovine Colostrum Improves Pro-Inflammatory Biomarkers and Immune Function in Older Adults

by | Aug 29, 2023 | 2023, Aging, Immune Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 12-week supplementation with bovine colostrum significantly reduced the expression levels of CRP and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05) compared to placebo.

elderly womanAging is a ubiquitous biological process resulting in a progressive decline in physical function across all organ systems induced by the accumulation of damage in response to various stressors1. Aging can result in immune system dysregulation leading to chronic low-grade inflammation and contributes to age-related decline2. This decline in immune function is characterized by senescence, a tumor-suppressor mechanism that is activated in response to stress and results in cell cycle arrest and a secretory phenotype that is pro-inflammatory and tissue damaging3.

Bovine colostrum (BC), composed of over 250 functional constituents including immune-stimulating peptides and antimicrobial agents, has been researched for its potential immunomodulatory properties4. BC contains a limited amount of milk oligosaccharides that may serve as a prebiotic source and contains an abundance of immune proteins, such as immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and numerous cytokines, which have been shown to modulate the microbiota and the immune system5. Furthermore, the bioactive compounds present in BC, particularly enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, may result in mitigating the adverse effects of oxidative stress6.

Ooi et al. conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled study to analyze the effects of bovine colostrum-enriched skim milk on the expression of biomarkers of inflammation, antioxidant, and oxidative damage, nutrient metabolism, and genomic stability. Subjects, aged 50 to 69 years, were divided into either the IgCo bovine colostrum supplementation group (n=26) or the placebo (n = 26). The IgCo BC contained 150 mg of IgG in each sachet, while the placebo group consumed regular skim milk powder and both groups consumed two sachets daily for 12 weeks.

Information regarding sociodemographic factors and self-reported medical history were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. Subjects’ height, weight, and body mass index were also recorded, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured twice. Blood samples were collected after an 8 hour fast at baseline and the 12th week of intervention to assess 8 biomarkers focused on antioxidant and oxidative damage. These biomarkers included superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)], along with the inflammatory markers of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)], nutrient metabolism [vitamin D], and for genomic stability [telomerase].

A two-way repeated measure ANOVA analysis was utilized to observe the effects of IgCo BC supplementation on biomarker outcomes. Mean age of participants was 61.71 ± 7.14, with 55.8% of participants being female, with a BMI of 27.19 ± 4.61 kg/m2. Significant findings of the study are as follows:

  • A significant reduction in the expression levels of CRP (5.03 ±26 to 3.34 ± 2.00 ng/mL), IL-6 (3.32 ± 1.19 to 2.67 ± 1.13 pg/mL), and TNF-α (91.88 ± 56.80 to 51.31 ± 44.07 pg/mL) were noted among subjects in the IgCo BC group (p < 0.05).
  • Analysis of metabolic pathways revealed that the pathways associated with IgCo BC consumption were glycerophospholipid metabolism, along with cysteine and methionine metabolism.
  • 22 metabolites were upregulated, and 11 metabolites were downregulated in the IgCo BC group compared to placebo.

Results of the study show that bovine colostrum supplementation significantly reduced the inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α. These findings suggest the IgCo BC supplementation can help reduce inflammation and improve immune function. Further research should continue to explore the potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of bovine colostrum.

Source: Ooi, Theng Choon, Azizan Ahmad, Nor Fadilah Rajab, and Razinah Sharif. “The Effects of 12 Weeks Colostrum Milk Supplementation on the Expression Levels of Pro-Inflammatory Mediators and Metabolic Changes among Older Adults: Findings from the Biomarkers and Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis.” Nutrients 15, no. 14 (2023): 3184.

© 2023 by the authors.Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Posted August 29, 2023. 

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

References:

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