Whey Protein and Other Biological Functions

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Whey Protein and Other Biological Functions
Aaron Fanning BSc, PGDipSc(Dist), MSc Fonterra
Co-operative Group Ltd
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Whey Proteins - Functions other than nutritional

• Role of Whey proteins
• Source of nutrition (amino acids, micronutrients)
• Delivery of immune protection to the calf (in
  first few days)
• Providing direct protection of the mammary gland
  tissue
• Ongoing protection of the calfs gut from
  pathogens (viruses, bacteria, toxins)

The bioactive benefits of whey protein appear to
be effective in animal models and some human
studies
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Whey Protein Hydrolysates for infant formulae
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Whey components linked to immune modulation
80
ß lactoglobulin
20
a -Lactalbumin
Minor proteins
Proteose Peptones
Amylases
Lipases
Blood Serum Albumin
Peroxidase
Catalases
Immunoglobulins
Lactoferrin
Phosphatases
WHEY
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Primary components of whey protein and their
benefits
Source Alternative Medicine Review (2008), Vol
13 (4), pp 341-347
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Evidence of immuno-modulatory effects of whey
protein
Enhanced Antibody response to Cholera Toxin1

• In Rodent studies addition of WPC to the diet has
  shown1
• improved immune response to vaccine antigens
• significantly better immune response to influenza
  vaccine, diphtheria, cholera and tetanus toxoids.
• Studies comparing inclusion of whey versus other
  proteins (soy, casein, wheat, corn, egg white,
  fish, beef and spirulina) in the diet at 20 of
  protein level, resulted in significantly better
  immune response in mice given the whey protein2

1. Low et al (2003) International
Immunopharmacology, 3393-401 2. Various, see
Bounous etal (1982, 1988, 2000)
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Importance of glutathione in immune function

• Glutathione a metabolite found through-out the
  body and is the principal mechanism that protects
  cells against oxidative stress caused by
  pollution, toxins, exercise and UV exposure.
• Protecting against antioxidants is an intergral
  part of our immune response.
• Ensuring an adequate supply of glutathione is
  essential to fully support and immune system.

Glutamate
Cysteine
Glycine
GLUTATHIONE

• Whey proteins contains at least 4 fold more
  cysteine than other high quality proteins, and
  provide an excellent source of a key precursor
  for glutathione production.
• Supplementation with whey proteins can maintain
  glutathione levels in healthy people during
  intense exercise1.

Found through-out the body and essential for a
good immune system
1. Middleton et al (2004) Inter J Food Sc Nutr
55131-141
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Whey Protein for bone health
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Whey components linked to bone health
80
ß lactoglobulin
20
a -Lactalbumin
Minor proteins
Proteose Peptones
Amylases
Lipases
Blood Serum Albumin
Peroxidase
Catalases
Immunoglobulins
Lactoferrin
Phosphatases
WHEY
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Evidence of bone health effects of Whey Protein
Whole Body Bone Mineral Content after 7-week
feeding of adequate calcium intake1

• In Rodent studies addition of Whey Protein to the
  diet has shown1
• improved acute femur uptake of calcium
• Chronic intake of Whey Protein with an adequate
  calcium diet improved whole body bone mineral
  content
• Different Whey Protein streams may be more
  efficacious than others

a
a
a
b
1. Zhao, Y et al. Exp Biol Med 2005230536
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Evidence of bone health effects of Lactoferrin
Photomicrographs of calvarial bones taken from
mice treated with (a) vehicle and (b) lactoferrin
(4 mg)1

• In vitro studies treatment with lactoferrin shows
  that lactoferrin1
• stimulates osteoblast proliferation and
  differentiation
• decreased apoptosis observed in response to serum
  deprivation in cultures of primary rat
  osteoblastic cells
• stimulates chondrocyte proliferation
• potently inhibits osteoclastogenesis
• Increased in vivo bone growth when given as
  subcutaneous injection

1. Cornish, J. Biometals 200417331
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Evidence of bone health effects of Acidic Whey
Protein Fraction
Differences in rat Femur Bone Mineral Content
after 16 weeks of feeding1

• In vivo studies treatment with various Whey
  Fractions show that1
• Acid Whey Fractions slow bone loss due to
  ovariectomy in the mature female rat
• Acidic whey fraction tended to increase stiffness
  in the same groups
• Different fractions achieved different results

b
a
b
a b
1. Kruger, MC et al. Int J Dairy 2006161149
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Whey Protein Hydrolysates for infant formulae
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Introduction whey is a good source of amino
acids for infants
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Introduction whey to casein ratio and plasma
amino acid profile

• bovine milk whey to casein ratio is approx.
  2080
• human milk whey to casein ratio is approx 6040
  
• increasing whey to casein ratio in IF to 4852
  yields a plasma essential amino acid profile
  closer to breast-fed babies than std bovine milk

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Cow milk protein allergy

• 0.5 7.5 of children suffer from cow milk
  protein (CMP) allergy
• up to 30 of infants may be affected by
  allergic-type symptoms
• allergy can be to any CMP

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Enymatic hydrolysis to reduce antigenicity HA
and hypoallergenic hydrolysates

• protein chains are broken down to peptides
  amino acids
• conformational and linear epitopes are
  neutralised reduced antigenicity
• nutritional quality preserved
• In non-sensitized at-risk infants, reduced
  allergenicity IFs (HA) recommended
  (ESPACI/ESPAGN)
• Infants with diagnosed CMP allergy
  hypoallergenic IFs recommended (treatment)

hydrolysis
beta-lactoglobulin (intact)
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Summary Whey and other biological functions

• Whey proteins are designed to provide immune
  protection within the mammary gland and to
  deliver immune protection to the calf.
• The efficacy of whey proteins in immune
  modulation has been shown in cell and
  animal-based studies, but there is limited
  evidence available from human studies.
• The efficacy of whey proteins in bone health has
  been shown in cell and animal based studies, but
  there is limited evidence available from human
  studies.
• Whey Protein Hydrolysates provide excellent
  nutritional profile for infant formulae. Animal
  trials indicate the allergenicity of specific
  Whey Protein Hydrolysates may play a beneficial
  role for those at risk of cows milk protein
  allergy
• There are other physiological effects whey
  proteins might have including cardiovascular
  control and modulation of metabolism, but the
  extent of any beneficial effects has yet to be
  substantiated in human studies.