An in depth proteomic analysis based on ProteoMiner, affinity chromatography and nano-HPLC–MS/MS to explain the potential health benefits of bovine colostrum

Bioactive compounds, nutritional profile and health benefits of colostrum: a review

Bovine colostrum is defined as first milk by milching animals responsible for providing the innate immunity to the neonatal and possess many immunoglobulins for preventing the calf from diseases. Colostrum consist of many bioactive compounds like proteins, enzymes, growth factors, immunoglobulins and nucleotides that provides several benefits to human health. Numerous clinical and pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of the bovine colostrum. This review focusses on bioactive compounds, their health benefits, potential of colostrum for developing several health foods and prevention of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract disorders. Processing can also be done to extend shelf-life and extraction of bioactive constituents either as encapsulated or as extracts. The products derived from bovine colostrum are high-end supplements possessing high nutraceutical value.

Heat treatment of bovine colostrum: II. Effects on calf serum immunoglobulin, insulin, and IGF-I concentrations, and the serum proteome

In-depth analysis of colostrum components has identified hundreds of proteins, but data are sparse regarding their systemic uptake in the newborn calf. Moreover, heat treatment may influence these colostral components and their absorption. Our objectives were to describe the serum proteome of newborn calves before and after colostrum feeding and the possible effects of colostral heat treatment. Newborn Holstein heifer calves (n = 22) were randomized within pair and fed heat-treated (n = 11; 60°C, 60 min) or raw (n = 11) colostrum at 8.5% of birth body weight by esophageal feeder within 1 h of birth. After the single colostrum feeding, calves were not fed until after the 8-h time point, when milk was offered free-choice. Blood samples were taken immediately before feeding (0 h), as well as 4, 8, and 24 h after feeding. Whole blood packed cell volume (%), serum Brix percentage, and plasma glucose concentrations were determined for all time points. Plasma insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay for selected time points. Serum IgA and IgG were measured by radial immunodiffusion at 24 h. The serum proteome was analyzed using nano-scale reverse-phase chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (nano LC-MS/MS) in 0- and 8-h samples. For proteomics analysis, ratios of results for 8-h to 0-h samples were analyzed with false discovery rate adjustment. For all other outcomes, repeated-measures ANOVA was performed with the fixed effects of group, time, and their interaction, and random effect of pair. Serum Brix percentage and glucose concentrations increased over time and were independent of colostrum treatment. Serum IgG and IgA concentrations at 24 h did not differ between groups. Nano LC-MS/MS identified a total of 663 unique proteins in serum, of which 261 increased in abundance, whereas 67 decreased in abundance after feeding in both groups. Among serum proteins that increased in abundance and that were previously identified in colostrum, many belonged to those involved in immune response, coagulation, the classical complement pathway, or the antimicrobial peptide class of cathelicidins. Serum proteins that decreased in abundance and that were identified in colostrum belonged to the alternative complement pathway and the membrane attack complex. Thirty-eight proteins differed in calves that were fed heat-treated colostrum compared with those fed raw colostrum. Decreased abundances in calves fed heat-treated colostrum included several enzymes involved in glycolysis or glycogenolysis, whereas the incretin gastric inhibitory polypeptide and serum insulin were increased in this group. Our findings point to important innate immune defense pathways associated with colostrum ingestion in newborn calves. Furthermore, calves fed heat-treated colostrum showed differences in serum proteins and enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism.

Silkworm pupae as source of high-value edible proteins and of bioactive peptides

To characterize the high-value protein content and to discover new bioactive peptides, present in edible organisms, as silkworm pupae, semiquantitative analytical approach has been applied. The combination of appropriate protein extraction methods, semiquantitative high-resolution mass spectrometry analyses of peptides, in silico bioactivity and gene ontology analyses, allowed protein profiling of silkworm pupae (778 gene products) and the characterization of bioactive peptides. The semiquantitative analysis, based on the measurement of the emPAI, revealed the presence of high-abundance class of proteins, such as larval storage protein (LSP) class. This class of proteins, beside its nutrient reservoir activity, is of great pharmaceutical interest for their efficacy in cardiovascular diseases. Potential allergens were also characterized and quantified, such as arginine kinase, thiol peroxiredoxin, and Bom m 9. This powerful bioanalytical approach proved the potential industrial applications of Bombyx mori pupae, as source of high-value proteins in a green and "circular" economy perspective.

Short communication: Performance, intestinal permeability, and metabolic profile of calves fed a milk replacer supplemented with glutamic acid

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of supplementing glutamic acid in milk replacers (MR) with respect to calf performance, intestinal permeability, and metabolism. Sixty Holstein male calves (3 ± 1.3 d old and 45 ± 5.9 kg body weight) were individually housed and fed a control MR without AA supplementation (24.8% crude protein and 19.1% fat, dry matter basis), or MR supplemented with 0.3% glutamic acid (25.1% crude protein and 20.3% fat, dry matter basis). Animals followed the same MR feeding program and were weaned at 56 d of the study. The amount of starter concentrate offered was restricted to limit the effect of concentrate intake on calf metabolism. Individual daily consumption and weekly body weight were measured, and 4 h after the morning feeding, blood samples were obtained at 14 and 35 d to determine general biochemical parameters and plasma AA concentrations. On d 10 of the study, we conducted an intestinal permeability test by including 21 g of lactulose and 4.2 g of d-mannitol as markers in the MR. We found no differences in calf performance or in intestinal permeability (measured as lactulose:mannitol ratio). Serum glucose concentration was greater in unsupplemented calves than in Glu-supplemented calves. At 14 d, the proportion of plasma Leu was greater in Glu-supplemented calves; the proportion of Ile tended to be greater in Glu-supplemented calves; and the proportion of Met tended to be greater in unsupplemented calves. We observed no other differences. Small changes occurred in AA metabolism when supplementing calf MR with 0.3% glutamic acid, without leading to improvements in calf performance or changes in intestinal permeability.

Colostrum from cows immunized with a veterinary vaccine against bovine rotavirus displays enhanced in vitro anti-human rotavirus activity

Human rotaviruses represent a major cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children. The limited impact of oral vaccines on global estimates of rotavirus mortality and the suboptimal use of oral rehydration justify the need for alternative prophylactic and therapeutic strategies, especially for immunocompromised hosts. The protective effects of colostrum-the first milk produced during the initial 24 to 48 h after parturition-are well documented in the literature. In particular, the ingestion of hyperimmune bovine colostrum has been proposed as an alternative preventive approach against human rotavirus gastroenteritis. Although the immunization of pregnant cows with human rotavirus boosts the release of specific immunoglobulin G in bovine colostrum, it raises regulatory and safety issues. In this study, we demonstrated that the conventional bovine rotavirus vaccine is sufficient to enhance the anti-human rotavirus protective efficacy of bovine colostrum, thus providing a conservative approach to produce hyperimmune bovine colostrum, making it exploitable as a functional food.

Perspectives on the production of milk on small-holder dairy farms and its utilisation in developing countries

The profitability of milk production in the developing world varies widely among farming systems. This results from poor animal productivity and an inefficient marketing-chain structure in which farmers seldom profit from their dairying activities. The lack of chilling facilities for milk storage and the need to adulterate the raw product along the market chain to enhance profit margins means that consumers are not well catered for. Co-operative selling of milk, along with the acquisition of higher-quality feeds and veterinary medicines, has boosted the financial resilience of small-holder farming communities worldwide, although, in many regions, the co-operative model has not succeeded largely through a lack of trust between families even within the communities. Commercial reality dictates that farming communities work together to achieve financial sustainability, although the model adopted for each community may differ. Although milk has traditionally provided many consumers with their only source of animal protein, vitamin and minerals, we are now discovering its many other virtues, particularly in relation to cognitive development and memory retention and the provision of antioxidants. The impact of milk-processing technology on some of these remarkable properties requires further investigation to ensure that milk consumers worldwide benefit from these positive attributes.

Response Predictors to Calcineurin Inhibitors in Patients with Primary Membranous Nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is an urgent need to find ways of identifying primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) patients who are likely to benefit from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) or who are resistant to them. In this study, we employed nano-HPLC-MS/MS analysis to identify serum biomarkers that predict the clinical response to CNI therapy in PMN patients.

METHODS

The endpoint was complete remission (CR) after CNI treatment. PMN patients were grouped into no-remission (NR) or CR groups to screen predictive candidates using the nano-HPLC-MS/MS analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with NR patients, 3 upregulated proteins and 5 downregulated proteins were found to present a twofold change in CR patients' serum. Serum amyloid A1 protein (SAA1) was further validated by ELISA; it was decreased in patients in the NR group compared with patients in the CR group, but SAA1 in patients in these groups was lower than in healthy controls and minimal change disease patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of SAA1 was used to distinguish PMN NR patients from those in remission and was 0.901, with a sensitivity of 78.3% and specificity of 86.8%, similar to that of the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody. Combining SAA1 with the PLA2R antibody, the area under the ROC curve was 0.956, which was higher than that of SAA1 or the PLA2R antibody alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum SAA1 may be a candidate PMN biomarker that can be used to discriminate CNI NR cases from remission patients. The combination of SAA1 and the PLA2R antibody increases the accuracy of diagnosis.

LC-MS/MS Identification of Species-Specific Muscle Peptides in Processed Animal Proteins

An innovative analytical strategy has been applied to identify signature peptides able to distinguish among processed animal proteins (PAPs) derived from bovine, pig, fish, and milk products. Proteomics was first used to elucidate the proteome of each source. Starting from the identified proteins and using a funnel based approach, a set of abundant and well characterized peptides with suitable physical-chemical properties (signature peptides) and specific for each source was selected. An on-target LC-ESI-MS/MS method (MRM mode) was set up using standard peptides and was then applied to selectively identify the PAP source and also to distinguish proteins from bovine carcass and milk proteins. We believe that the method described meets the request of the European Commission which has developed a strategy for gradually lifting the "total ban" toward "species to species ban", therefore requiring official methods for species-specific discrimination in feed.

Digging More Missing Proteins Using an Enrichment Approach with ProteoMiner

Human Proteome Project (HPP) aims at mapping entire human proteins with a systematic effort upon all the emerging techniques, which would enhance understanding of human biology and lay a foundation for development of medical applications. Until now, 2563 missing proteins (MPs, PE2-4) are still undetected even using the most sensitive approach of protein detection. Herein, we propose that enrichment of low-abundance proteins benefits MPs finding. ProteoMiner is an equalizing technique by reducing high-abundance proteins and enriching low-abundance proteins in biological liquids. With triton X-100/TBS buffer extraction, ProteoMiner enrichment, and peptide fractionation, 20 MPs (at least two non-nested unique peptides with more than eight a.a. length) with 60 unique peptides were identified from four human tissues including eight membrane/secreted proteins and five nucleus proteins. Then 15 of them were confirmed with two non-nested unique peptides (≥9 a.a.) identified by matching well with their chemically synthetic peptides in PRM assay. Hence, these results demonstrated ProteoMiner as a powerful means in discovery of MPs.

Exploration of the bovine colostrum proteome and effects of heat treatment time on colostrum protein profile

Heat treatment of colostrum is performed on modern dairy farms to reduce pathogenic contamination before hand-feeding the colostrum to newborn calves; however, limited data are available concerning effects of heat treatment on biologically active proteins in colostrum. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate effects of heat treatment and length of heat treatment on colostrum protein profile. Colostrum samples were collected from Holstein cows within 12 h after parturition and assigned to the following groups: heat treatment at 60°C for 0 (untreated control), 30, 60, or 90 min. Samples were fractionated using acid precipitation, followed by ultracentrifugation and ProteoMiner (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA) treatment, and tandem-mass tagging was used to comparatively assess the low abundance protein profile. A total of 162 proteins were identified with more than 2 peptides in the low abundance protein enriched fraction. Of these, 62 differed in abundance by more than 2-fold in heat treated samples compared with the unheated control. The majority of proteins affected by heat treatment were involved in immunity, enzyme function, and transport-related processes; affected proteins included lactadherin, chitinase-3-like protein 1, and complement component C9. These results provide a foundation for further research to determine optimum heat treatment practices to ensure newborn calves are fed colostrum-containing proteins with the highest nutritional and biological value.