Calcium and phosphorus availability from casein phosphopeptides in male growing rats

The effect of dietary magnesium and caseinphosphopeptides on bone metabolism in rats

The effect of dietary magnesium (Mg) or caseinphosphopeptides (CPPs) on bone metabolism has been reported. However, few studies have investigated the effects of simultaneous supplementation of Mg and CPPs. Sixty-three 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into seven groups and fed a specified diet for 45 days. Body characteristics, bone physicochemical indicators, and bone metabolism indicators relative to bone metabolism were analyzed. We found that, first, a dietary Mg deficiency resulted in increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption. Second, dietary Mg or CPP supplementation promoted bone formation and prevented bone resorption. Third, dietary Mg supplementation with CPPs also functioned to enhance bone formation and prevent bone resorption. There were synergistic effects on femur length, serum parathyroid hormone level and urinary deoxypyridinoline of the HS-Mg-CPP group (0.2% Mg, 0.1% CPPs). The increase in the femur length of the HS-Mg-CPP group compared with the control group was 6% which was much higher than that of HS-Mg (1%) or CPPs (5%). The induction in serum parathyroid hormone content in the HS-Mg-CPP group was 33% compared with the control group which was higher than that of the induction of the HS-Mg (19%) or CPP (23%) group. The induction in the deoxypyridinoline content of the HS-Mg-CPP (43%) group compared with the control group was remarkably higher than that of HS-Mg (8%) or CPPs (16%). Overall our results demonstrated that high doses of Mg (0.2%) and CPPs (0.1%) in combination produced synergistic effects on femur length, serum parathyroid hormone level and urinary deoxypyridinoline in rats, which is important for a better understanding of the effect of Mg and CPPs on bone metabolism.

Preparation and anti-osteoporotic activities in vivo of phosphorylated peptides from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) protein serves as a novel sustainable protein source for human. Krill protein isolate was phosphorylated by the dry-heating method with sodium pyrophosphate. Phosphorylated peptides from Antarctic krill (PP-AKP) were obtained from phosphorylated protein through tryptic hydrolysis. Two types of phosphate bonds were introduced by phosphorylation, i.e. PO and PO bonds. The anti-osteoporotic activities of PP-AKP at two doses (400 and 800mg/kg body weight) were investigated with an osteoporotic rat model, which was established with bilateral ovariectomy surgery. Different doses of PP-AKP were given intraperitoneal injections to rats once a day with alendronate as a positive control. Phosphorylated peptides from Antarctic krill dose-dependently preserved bone mineral density in osteoporotic rats by increasing the degree of bone mineralization. Both trabecular and cortical bone strength in osteoporotic rats was significantly improved with PP-AKP treatment. The mechanism by which PP-AKP augmented bone mineral density and bone strength was relation to the reduction in osteoclast-mediated bone remodeling, as was supported by the decrease in bone resorption markers. Phosphorylated peptides from Antarctic krill could be developed as functional food or nutritional supplements.

The effect of whey acidic protein fractions on bone loss in the ovariectomised rat

Bovine milk has been shown to contain bioactive components with bone-protective properties. Earlier studies on bovine milk whey protein showed that it suppressed bone resorption in the female ovariectomised rat. A new osteotropic component was subsequently identified in the whey basic protein fraction, but bone bioactivity may also be associated with other whey fractions. In the present study, we investigated whether acidic protein fractions isolated from bovine milk whey could prevent bone loss in mature ovariectomised female rats. Six-month-old female rats were ovariectomised (OVX) or left intact (sham). The OVX rats were randomised into four groups. One group remained the control (OVX), whereas three groups were fed various whey acidic protein fractions from milk whey as 3g/kg diet for 4 months. Outcomes were bone mineral density, bone biomechanics and markers of bone turnover. Bone mineral density of the femurs indicated that one of the whey AF over time caused a recovery of bone lost from OVX. Plasma C-telopeptide of type I collagen decreased significantly in all groups except OVX control over time, indicating an anti-resorptive effect of whey acidic protein. Biomechanical data showed that the AF may affect bone architecture as elasticity was increased by one of the whey AF. The femurs of AF-supplemented rats all showed an increase in organic matter. This is the first report of an acidic whey protein fraction isolated from milk whey that may support the recovery of bone loss in vivo.

Effects of bioactive substances in milk on mineral and trace element metabolism with special reference to casein phosphopeptides

Bioactivity of phosphopeptides yielded after tryptic hydrolysis of casein (CPP) was reported more than 50 years ago when CPP were found to improve calcium balance in rachitic newborns. Several investigations have been carried out to study the effects of CPP mainly on calcium metabolism but also on other minerals like iron and zinc. Most of the experiments were in vitro studies or short-term experiments like the effects of CPP after single meals or their effect on mineral disappearance from intestinal everted sac or ligated loop. Investigations on calcium balance were also mainly short term, i.e. 3-4 weeks, and mainly done in rats. A few experiments have been carried out in minipigs, an animal model that is closer to the human than the rat. Studies in human were rare and short term. To date a variety of other peptides have been isolated after enzymatic hydrolysis, and some have been investigated for bioactivity, with equivocal findings. Bioactivity of phosphopeptides seemed to be more obvious when investigations were done in vitro or short term. Results were less clear in metabolic balance studies, especially under physiological conditions. The composition of the basal diet, i.e. content of calcium and phytate, or the protein source had a significant impact on the effect of phosphopeptides. It was concluded that phosphopeptides revealed positive effects on mineral solubility and absorbability, and bone mineralisation under certain experimental conditions. Accordingly they could have a beneficial effect on bone health for some groups of the population.

The bioavailability of dietary calcium

This update focuses on the bioavailability of dietary calcium for humans. Fundamentals of calcium metabolism, intestinal absorption, urinary excretion and balance are recalled. Dietary factors, especially lactose and other milk components, influencing calcium bioavailability at intestinal and renal levels are reviewed. A critical examination of all the methods used for evaluating calcium bioavailability is made. This includes in vitro assays, classical and isotopic balances, urinary excretion, isotope labeling in the urine, plasma and bones, long term evaluation of bone mineralization and the use of biological bone markers. Importance and advantages of animal models are discussed. The state of the art in the comparative bioavailability of calcium in foods is detailed including a comparison of sources of calcium (dairy products and calcium salts) in human studies and in some animal studies, casein phosphopeptides, proteins, lactose and lactase and their relation with calcium bioavailability (in humans and rats). An update on the consumption of dairy products and bone mass is presented. Emphasis on peculiarities and advantages of calcium in milk and dairy products is given.