Effect of a Growth Protein-Colostrum Fraction on Bone Development in Juvenile Rats

Abstract

Colostrum is a complex mixture of bioactives that promotes neonate growth. Studies show that it contains components capable of promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption. Although many colostrum-based nutritional supplements have been developed as growth promotants, few studies have investigated their functional effects. A bovine colostrum 1-30 kDa fraction, Growth Protein-Colostrum (GP-C), was administered to juvenile rats as a dietary supplement to determine effects on growth and development. GP-C enhanced the growth and mineralization of the femur as evidenced by increased serum osteocalcin and bone mineral density. Increased levels of serum growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 suggest that the mechanism of enhanced growth is partially controlled by endocrine factors. GP-C was also found to increase osteoblast proliferation in vitro, a finding that indicates a possible mechanism of action of GP-C, but further studies are required. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that a colostrum-based dietary supplement enhances bone growth and development in humans.

Concentrated Bovine-Milk Whey Active Protein (CBP) Supplement-Combined Dynamic Flamingo Therapy (DFT) Activates Bone Metabolism and Bone-Related Factors

“…GH, which affects bones, was affected by whey protein and CBP [12,13,24]. GH is activated by increases in skeletal muscle mass and exercise intensity and is involved in lipid metabolism [25][26][27][28].…”

“…GH is activated by increases in skeletal muscle mass and exercise intensity and is involved in lipid metabolism [25][26][27][28]. CBP, which is strongly related to GH, has been reported to act directly and indirectly on bones [12,13]. Further, mechanical stress is essential for bone improvement [2], in which the act of standing on one leg for 1 minute gives the proximal part of the femur a load equivalent to that of 53 minutes of walking [6,29,30].…”

“…In recent years, consumption of milk basic protein (MBP) supplement and similar dairy products has frequently been used in order to promote bone improvement [9][10][11][12][13]. Of these products, concentrated bovine-milk whey active protein (CBP) has been shown to induce bone formation in vitro, and has attracted interest as a method of bone improvement [12,13].…”

“…Of these products, concentrated bovine-milk whey active protein (CBP) has been shown to induce bone formation in vitro, and has attracted interest as a method of bone improvement [12,13]. CBP directly affects bones by acting on osteoblasts [12] and indirectly by acting on growth hormone (GH) [13].…”

“…Of these products, concentrated bovine-milk whey active protein (CBP) has been shown to induce bone formation in vitro, and has attracted interest as a method of bone improvement [12,13]. CBP directly affects bones by acting on osteoblasts [12] and indirectly by acting on growth hormone (GH) [13]. However, although the possibility that an intake of CBP alone leads to bone improvement in middle-aged men and women has been suggested, the specific mechanism underlying its role in bone metabolism and other bone-related factors has yet to be established [14].…”