Nutrition resistance to viral propagation

High Temperature-Short Time Pasteurization Has a Lower Impact on the Antiviral Properties of Human Milk Than Holder Pasteurization

Holder pasteurization (62. 5°C for 30 min) is recommended by all international human milk bank guidelines to prevent infections potentially transmitted by donor human milk. A drawback is that it affects some human milk bioactive and nutritive components. Recently, High Temperature-Short Time (HTST) pasteurization has been reported to be a valuable alternative technology to increase the retention of some biological features of human milk. Nevertheless, to date, few data are available about the impact of pasteurization methods other than Holder on the antiviral activity of human milk. The present study was aimed at evaluating the antiviral activity of human milk against a panel of viral pathogens common in newborns and children (i.e., herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus, and rhinovirus), and at assessing the effect of Holder and HTST pasteurization on milk's antiviral properties. The results indicate that human milk is endowed with antiviral activity against all viruses tested, although to a different extent. Unlike the Holder pasteurization, HTST preserved the inhibitory activity against cytomegalovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, rotavirus and herpes simplex virus type 2. By contrast, both methods reduced significantly the antiviral activities against rhinovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1. Unexpectedly, Holder pasteurization improved milk's anti-rotavirus activity. In conclusion, this study contributes to the definition of the pasteurization method that allows the best compromise between microbiological safety and biological quality of the donor human milk: HTST pasteurization preserved milk antiviral activity better than Holder.

Effect of antisecretory factor in ulcerative colitis on histological and laborative outcome: a short period clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The antisecretory factor (AF) is a 41 kD endogenously produced protein capable of mediating protection against diarrhoea diseases and intestinal inflammation. High concentrations of AF-like proteins are present in egg yolk, and AF can consequently be administrated in the form of egg yolk drinks. In this study, performed in patients suffering from acute onset of ulcerative colitis (UC), we evaluate the influence of orally administrated AF on the histological and clinical laboratory outcome.

METHODS

A total of 20 patients fulfilled this prospective, double-blind and randomized protocol. The intake of AF was used as an additive treatment to conventional UC medication. Patient registrations were extended to two outward visits, performed 2-4 and 8-12 weeks after hospital discharge.

RESULTS

During AF treatment, a reduction in the histological severity from mucosal biopsies received from the mid-rectum was found. In addition, a lowering in the inflammatory blood parameters ESR, CRP and orosomucoid was demonstrated.

CONCLUSION

In the AF-treated group a late and significant lowering of various inflammatory parameters combined with a histological recovery was demonstrated. These findings suggest that administration of AF mediates a long-lasting anti-inflammatory effect in cases of acute UC.

The transfer of immunity from mother to child

The newborn's immune system grows fast from a small size at birth by exposure primarily to the intestinal microflora normally obtained from the mother at and after birth. While building up its immune system, the infant is supported by the transplacental IgG antibodies, which also contain anti-idiotypic antibodies, possibly also actively priming the offspring. The second mode of transfer of immunity occurs via the milk. Numerous major protective components, including secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies and lactoferrin, are present. The breastfed infant is better protected against numerous common infections than the non-breastfed. Breastfeeding also seems to actively stimulate the infant's immune system by anti-idiotypes, uptake of milk lymphocytes, cytokines, etc. Therefore, the breastfed child continues to be better protected against various infections for some years. Vaccine responses are also often enhanced in breastfed infants. Long-lasting protection against certain immunological diseases such as allergies and celiac disease is also noted.

The antisecretory factor: synthesis, anatomical and cellular distribution, and biological action in experimental and clinical studies

The antisecretory factor (AF) is a 41-kDa protein that provides protection against diarrheal diseases and intestinal inflammation. Its cDNA has been cloned and sequenced. AF is highly potent, with 10(-12) mol of recombinant AF being sufficient to counteract experimentally induced diarrhea in rat. The antisecretory activity is exerted by a peptide located between positions 35 and 50 of the AF sequence. Synthetic peptides based on this sequence are promising candidates for drugs to counteract intestinal hypersecretion, as well as imbalances of fluid transport in other body compartments. AF probably exerts its effects via nerves; AF immediately and potently inhibits ion transport across isolated nerve membranes from Deiters' cells. Immunocytochemistry has shown that AF is present in most tissues in the body, and in situ nucleic acid hybridization has shown that cells that store AF are also capable of AF synthesis. The endogenous plasma level of AF is increased by enterotoxins and by certain food constituents such as hydrothermally processed cereals. These cereals significantly improve clinical performance in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. AF-enhancing food also protects domestic animals against diarrheal diseases, and such feed has been used successfully in Swedish swine farming for the past 10 years. Increased understanding of AF action might result in expanded clinical applications and confirm that AF is an important regulator of homeostasis.