The most important components of colostrum can be broken down into three major categories: Immune System Factors, Growth Factors, and Nutritional Components. Immune Factors Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRPs) Immunoglobulins Lactofferin Transferrin Cytokines Lysozymes Enzymes Lactalbumin Glycoproteins Others Growth Factors Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1, IGF-2) Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-α, TGF-β) Epithelial Growth Factor Epidermal Growth Factor Fibroblast Growth Factor Platelet Derived Growth Factor Others Nutritional Components Vitamins Minerals Amino Acids Essential Oils Immune Factors Proline-Rich Polypeptides (PRPs) Proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs) act systemically, modulating the complex immune system and are therefore the most important ingredient in colostrum. Peptides are short chains of amino acids — the building blocks of proteins — without the complex tertiary structure of proteins. Proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs), so-called because they contain an unusually high proportion of the amino acid proline, are intercellular signaling molecules that have the unique ability to modulate the immune system, turning it up when needed or turning it down when it is overactive. Immunomodulating colostral peptides appear under various names in literature, including transfer factor, colostrinin and Proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs). They work as hormones that regulate the thymus gland (bodies central command for the immune system), stimulating an underactive immune system or down-regulating an overactive immune system. Immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgE, IgM, IgD) The immunoglobulin fraction in bovine colostrum is composed of approximately 70-80% IgG, 10-15% IgA, 10-15% IgM, while IgE and IgD are found in small amounts. The function of these immunoglobulins (antibodies) is as follows: IgG — predominant immunoglobulin in bovine milk colostrum; primary function is to identify and help destroy invading pathogenic microbes. IgA — predominant immunoglobulin in human milk and colostrum; primary role is as first line of defense, protects mucosal surfaces and prevents the attachment of pathogens to them. IgM — primary role is “first to fight;” enhances phagocytosis by destroying invading pathogens. IgE — involved with the allergic reaction and histamine-associated allergic reaction; also involved with active defense against enteric parasites. IgD — attached to B cells; it stimulates lymphocytes to produce antibodies by presenting antigens to them. Laboratory analyses of both immune and growth factors from bovine colostrum indicate that they are identical to those found in human colostrum except for the fact that the levels of these factors are significantly higher in the bovine version. Bovine colostrum is actually 40 times richer in immune factors than human colostrum. For example, human colostrum contains 2% of IgG (immunoglobulin G) while cow colostrum contains 86% of IgG, the most important of the immunoglobulins found in the body. Local protection in the form of immuno-supplementation with bovine milk antibodies has been shown to be an effective means of providing local protection to the GI tract. Lactoferrin Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein that helps deprive bacteria of the iron they require to reproduce and releases iron into the red blood cells enhancing oxygenation of tissues. Lactoferrin modulates cytokine release and its receptors have been found on most immune cells including lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages and platelets. α – Lactalbumin and β – Lactoglobulin These are the major nutritional whey proteins in milk and colostrum. Cytokines Cytokines are small proteins that are secreted by specific cells of the immune system. They are a category of signaling molecules that are used extensively in cellular communication. They are proteins, peptides, or glycoproteins. Lysozymes Lysozymes can help support the immune system. Enzymes Lactoperidase-thiocyanate, peroxidase, and xanthine oxidase oxidize bacteria through their ability to release hydrogen peroxide. Glycoproteins Glycoproteins are a digestive factor that has been shown to help immune and growth factors survive the passage through the highly acidic digestive system.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 14:31:52 +0000
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