1. Dietary Whey Protein Supplementation Increases Immunoglobulin G Production by Affecting Helper T Cell Populations after Antigen Exposure
- Author
-
Gwang-woong Go, Dong Jin Ha, Jonggun Kim, Sae Hun Kim, and Kwang Youn Whang
- Subjects
Whey protein ,Health (social science) ,animal structures ,030309 nutrition & dietetics ,medicine.medical_treatment ,T cell ,Plant Science ,lcsh:Chemical technology ,Health Professions (miscellaneous) ,Microbiology ,Immunoglobulin G ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Immune system ,Antigen ,medicine ,Cytotoxic T cell ,rat ,lcsh:TP1-1185 ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,biology ,integumentary system ,Chemistry ,Growth factor ,Acquired immune system ,Molecular biology ,immunity ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,biology.protein ,whey protein concentrate ,Food Science - Abstract
Whey protein is a by-product of cheese and casein manufacturing processes. It contains highly bioactive molecules, such as epidermal growth factor, colony-stimulating factor, transforming growth factor-&alpha, and -&beta, insulin-like growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor. Effects of whey protein on immune responses after antigen (hemagglutinin peptide) injection were evaluated in rats. Experimental diets were formulated based on NIH-31M and supplemented with 1% amino acids mixture (CON) or 1% whey protein concentrate (WPC) to generate isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Rats were fed the experimental diets for two weeks and then exposed to antigen two times (Days 0 and 14). Blood was collected on Days 0, 7, 14, and 21 for hematological analysis. The WPC group showed decreased IgA and cytotoxic T cells before the antigen injection (Day 0) but increased IgG, IL-2, and IL-4 after antigen injection due to increased B cells and T cells. Helper T cells were increased at Days 14 and 21, but cytotoxic T cells were not affected by WPC. WPC may activate adaptive immunity (IgG) against antigen by modulating helper T cells. Bioactive molecules might contribute to the immune-enhancing effects of whey protein concentrate.
- Published
- 2021