Biologically Active Compounds in Colostrum: Boosting The Health of You and Your Family

Colostrum is a biological pre-milk fluid produced by mammals in the first week after giving birth. Biologically active substances in it include: anti-microbial factors, immune-stimulating peptides and growth factors. Antimicrobial factors act directly on pathogens - bacteria, viruses, fungi - that cause disease or indirectly promote the growth of a healthy intestinal microbiota rich in Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli.

Some compounds promote the maturation and modulation of the immune system directly as proline rich peptides, cytokines, lactoferrin, β-lactoglobuline, α-lactalbumin and glycomacropeptide or indirectly as oligosaccharides, gangliosides and

nucleosides that enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria species. Colostrum also contains growth factors needed for development, maturation and repair of various tissues.

Anti-microbial and immune-stimulating

factors are compounds which provide passive immunity, protect the host against pathogens. They also modulate the immune system directly and indirectly to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, α-lactalbumin and peptides derived from caseins such as glycomacropeptide (GMP) and whey proteins show high antimicrobial activity. Oligosaccharides, gangliosides and nucleosides induce the proliferation of bifidobacteria and

lactobacilli that inhibit the proliferation of the pathogens in the intestines, and also stimulate the immune system.

Other compounds such as lactoferrin, Proline rich polypeptides(PRP) , cytokines and leucocytes can regulate immune response. Immunoglobulins (Igs) can protect adults against infection. Colostrum contains five classes of Igs: IgA, IgG, IgD, IgE, IgM that defend the body against bacteria, virus, parasites and fungi. Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein. A glycoprotein is a protein attached by carbohydrate. Lf is anti-infective, anti-oxidant, and has immune-modulatory actions. Lf directly act against several bacteria, virus, fungi or indirectly regulate intestinal microbiota. Lf increases the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells too.

Lf influences the immune functions such as cytokine production, proliferation, maturation, migration and activation of macrophages, natural killer and T and B cells by binding its specific receptor. Natural killer (NK) cells act as the first line of innate immune defense against pathogens before the adaptive immune system kicks in to eliminate the infection. Immune adaptive B cells are responsible for generating antibodies to specific antigens. T cell is an adaptive immune system white blood cell that respond, search and kill specific pathogens.

Lysozyme is an enzyme that kills bacteria by splitting the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall to disintegrate them. Colostrum has anti-oxidant compounds that can neutralize free radicals such as reactive oxygen species(ROS). ROS is an unstable oxygen bearing molecule that easily reacts with other molecules in a cell. Exceesive ROS in cells may cause damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins, to cause cell death. Antioxidants in colostrum include superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidise, vitamin A, E and C, ceruloplasmin, caseins and minerals as selenium, copper and zinc.

Colostrum has growth factors that modulate the growth, maturation, function and repair of bone, muscle, nervous, connective, cartilage, skin tissues and particularly the gastro-intestinal mucosa . Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) promote the proliferation and differentiation of tissues. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a peptide present in colostrum that may prevent bacterial translocation (movement from one place to another) in the gut and stimulates gut immunity.

Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is a peptide present in colostrum and milk. Systemic administration of TGF-α stimulates cell growth, wound healing and inhibits acid secretion. It is useful for repairing and maintaining the integrity of intestinal epithelium.Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a powerful chemo-attraction for neutrophils that are the first to arrive at an infected site. It helps tissue repair by stimulating the migration of epithelial cells on the denuded area to re-establish epithelial continuity.

Prolin Rich Polypeptide (PRP) stimulate the thymus to regulate the immune system. It stimulates weak immune systems and restore the balance when the immune system is hyperactive, e. g., in autoimmune diseases - an illness where the immune system produce antibodies that attack normal body tissues. PRP protects nerve cells against damage, degeneration, or impairment of function. PRP induces the proliferation, differentiation and regeneration of cells in the nervous system and improves cognitive function in mammals.

Cytokines are proteins that mediate communication between cells, regulate cell growth, differentiation, and motility. They stimulate and regulate duration and intensity of immune responses, boost T cells activity and have antiviral and anti-tumor activity.

Gangliosides are involved in immune response, act as receptors for bacteria. They proliferate, maturate and activate lymphocytes, dendritic cells and intestinal IgA secretion. They promote the growth of useful microbiota, e. g., Bifidobacteria.