Enchancing effect of patented whey protein isolate (Immunocal) on cytotoxicity of an anticancer drug

Whey proteins as multifunctional food materials: Recent advancements in hydrolysis, separation, and peptidomimetic approaches

Whey protein derived bioactives, including α-lactalbumin, ß-lactoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, lactoferrin, transferrin, and proteose-peptones, have exhibited wide ranges of functional, biological and therapeutic properties varying from anticancer, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial effects. In addition, their functional properties involve gelling, emulsifying, and foaming abilities. For these reasons, this review article is framed to understand the relationship existed in between those compound levels and structures with their main functional, biological, and therapeutic properties exhibited either in vitro or in vivo. The impacts of hydrolysis mechanism and separation techniques in enhancing those properties are likewise discussed. Furthermore, special emphasize is given to multifunctional effects of whey derived bioactives and their future trends in ameliorating further food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical products. The underlying mechanism effects of those properties are still remained unclear in terms of activity levels, efficacy, and targeted effectiveness. For these reasons, some important models linking to functional properties, thermal properties and cell circumstances are established. Moreover, the coexistence of radical trapping groups, chelating groups, sulfhydryl groups, inhibitory groups, and peptide bonds seemed to be the key elements in triggering those functions and properties. Practical Application: Whey proteins are the byproducts of cheese processing and usually the exploitation of these food waste products has increasingly getting acceptance in many countries, especially European countries. Whey proteins share comparable nutritive values to milk products, particularly on their richness on important proteins that can serve immune protection, structural, and energetic roles. The nutritive profile of whey proteins shows diverse type of bioactive molecules like α-lactalbumin, ß-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, transferrin, immunoglobulin, and proteose peptones with wide biological importance to the living system, such as in maintaining immunological, neuronal, and signaling roles. The diversification of proteins of whey products prompted scientists to exploit the real mechanisms behind of their biological and therapeutic effects, especially in declining the risk of cancer, tumor, and further complications like diabetes type 2 and hypertension risk effects. For these reasons, profiling these types of proteins using different proteomic and peptidomic approaches helps in determining their biological and therapeutic targets along with their release into gastrointestinal tract conditions and their bioavailabilities into portal circulation, tissue, and organs. The wide applicability of those protein fractions and their derivative bioactive products showed significant impacts in the field of emulsion and double emulsion stabilization by playing roles as emulsifying, surfactant, stabilizing, and foaming agents. Their amphoteric properties helped them to act as excellent encapsulating agents, particularly as vehicle for delivering important vitamins and bioactive compounds. The presence of ferric elements increased their transportation to several metal-ions in the same time increased their scavenging effects to metal-transition and peroxidation of lipids. Their richness with almost essential and nonessential amino acids makes them as selective microbial starters, in addition their richness in sulfhydryl amino acids allowed them to act a cross-linker in conjugating further biomolecules. For instance, conjugating gold-nanoparticles and fluorescent materials in targeting diseases like cancer and tumors in vivo is considered the cutting-edges strategies for these versatile molecules due to their active diffusion across-cell membrane and the presence of specific transporters to these therapeutic molecules.

The effectiveness of whey proteins in prevention and treatment of cancer: a review

Cancer prevalence is rising rapidly around the globe, contributing immensely to the burden on health systems, hence the search for more effective and selective treatments still remains enticing. Whey, as a natural source, has received extensive focus in recent years because of its intriguing applications to health benefits. Growing consumer appreciation of the nutraceutical effects of whey components makes them an attractive field within cancer research. Whey is a valuable source of superior-quality proteins, lactose, vitamins, and minerals that contribute to proper nutrition as well as help hamper illness and even complement certain disease-related therapy prognosis. As a result, industry leaders and dairy producers are devising new ways to valorize it. Great emphasis on cancer prevention and treatment has been given to whey protein (WP) by the scientific community. WP intake has been proven to induce anti-cancer effects in various in vitro and in vivo studies. Nutritionists and dietitians are now enormously endorsing the role of WP in the therapeutic field, notably for cancer cachexia management. However, human intervention studies with WP are in their infancy and remain to be established with different tumor entities to provide valid proof of its ability to act as a coadjuvant in cancer treatment.

Baicalein inhibits cell proliferation and enhances apoptosis in human A549 cells and benzo(a)pyrene-induced pulmonary carcinogenesis in mice

Our current study is done to explore the possible mechanisms to elaborate on the growth inhibitory effect of baicalein (BE) in human lung carcinoma. Initially, BE (25 and 50 µM) treatment for 24 h, suppressed the viability and inhibited population growth in A549 cells. BE upholds the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with concomitant replenishment of glutathione, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity. The expression level of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 markedly increased after BE treatment will intimidate A549 cells proliferation by the ROS-independent pathway via the antioxidant pathway. In vivo investigations were carried out on BE (12 mg/kg, oral) in benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P; 50 mg/kg, oral) induced lung carcinogenesis in mice. BE induces caspase-dependent apoptosis by increasing the levels of cytosolic cytochrome c accompanied by upregulating the outflow of p53, Bax, and caspase-3 with a concomitant abatement in the outflow of Bcl-2 in both in vitro and in vivo. In the murine model, BE treatment hindered the countenance of proliferation-related proteins (argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions and proliferating cell nuclear antigen). Additionally, appraisal of the cell nucleus by transmission electron microscopic assessment uncovered that BE treatment adequately counteracts B(a)P-induced lung cancer cell survival. During the transition of the G₀ /G₁ phase, BE is arrested in the cell cycle process. This might be the cause of a substantial increase in the appearance of p21^Cip1 with concomitant downregulating the expressions of CDK4, cyclin D, and cyclin E both in vitro and in vivo. Our results conclude that BE treatment induced apoptosis and repressed proliferation both in vitro and in vivo of human lung carcinoma.

Whey protein in cancer therapy: A narrative review

Cancer remains a public health challenge in the identification and development of ideal pharmacological therapies and dietary strategies. The use of whey protein as a dietary strategy is widespread in the field of oncology. The two types of whey protein, sweet or acid, result from several processing techniques and possess distinct protein subfraction compositions. Mechanistically, whey protein subfractions have specific anti-cancer effects. Alpha-lactalbumin, human α-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cell, bovine α-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cell, bovine serum albumin, and lactoferrin are whey protein subfractions with potential to hinder tumor pathways. Such effects, however, are principally supported by studies performed in vitro and/or in vivo. In clinical practice, whey protein intake-induced anti-cancer effects are indiscernible. However, whey protein supplementation represents a practical, feasible, and cost-effective approach to mitigate cancer cachexia syndrome. The usefulness of whey protein is evidenced by a greater leucine content and the potential to modulate IGF-1 concentrations, representing important factors towards musculoskeletal hypertrophy. Further clinical trials are warranted and needed to establish the effects of whey protein supplementation as an adjuvant to cancer therapy.

Whey protein concentrate supplementation protects rat brain against aging-induced oxidative stress and neurodegeneration

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is a rich source of sulfur-containing amino acids and is consumed as a functional food, incorporating a wide range of nutritional attributes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of WPC on rat brain during aging. Young (4 months) and old (24 months) male Wistar rats were supplemented with WPC (300 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in terms of ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), lipid hydroperoxide (LHP), total thiol (T-SH), protein carbonyl (PC), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were measured in brain of control and experimental (WPC supplemented) groups. In addition, gene expression and histopathological studies were also performed. The results indicate that WPC augmented the level of FRAP, T-SH, and AChE in old rats as compared with the old control. Furthermore, WPC-treated groups exhibited significant reduction in LHP, PC, ROS, and NO levels in aged rats. WPC supplementation also downregulated the expression of inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6), and upregulated the expression of marker genes associated with autophagy (Atg3, Beclin-1, LC3B) and neurodegeneration (neuron specific enolase, Synapsin-I, MBP-2). The findings suggested WPC to be a potential functional nutritional food supplement that prevents the progression of age-related oxidative damage in Wistar rats.

A Cystine-Rich Whey Supplement (Immunocal®) Provides Neuroprotection from Diverse Oxidative Stress-Inducing Agents In Vitro by Preserving Cellular Glutathione

Oxidative stress is a principal mechanism underlying the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration. Therefore, nutritional enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses may represent a viable treatment option. We investigated the neuroprotective properties of a unique whey protein supplement (Immunocal®) that provides an essential precursor (cystine) for synthesis of the endogenous antioxidant, glutathione (GSH). Primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs), NSC34 motor neuronal cells, or HT22 hippocampal cells were preincubated in medium containing Immunocal and then subsequently treated with agents known to induce oxidative stress. Immunocal protected CGNs against neurotoxicity induced by the Bcl-2 inhibitor, HA14-1, the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, CuCl₂, and AlCl₃. Immunocal also significantly reduced NSC34 cell death due to either H₂O₂ or glutamate and mitigated toxicity in HT22 cells overexpressing β-amyloid_1-42. The neuroprotective effects of Immunocal were blocked by inhibition of γ-glutamyl-cysteine ligase, demonstrating dependence on de novo GSH synthesis. These findings indicate that sustaining GSH with Immunocal significantly protects neurons against diverse inducers of oxidative stress. Thus, Immunocal is a nutritional supplement worthy of testing in preclinical animal models of neurodegeneration and in future clinical trials of patients afflicted by these diseases.

Effect of cysteine-rich whey protein (immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training on muscle strength and lean body mass in non-frail elderly subjects: a randomized, double-blind controlled study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training on muscle strength and lean body mass (LBM) in elderly individuals. We hypothesized that the cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) group would experience a greater increase in muscle strength and lean body mass versus the control group (casein).

DESIGN

Randomized double-blind controlled intervention study.

SETTING

Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal in Montreal, Canada.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-nine non-frail elderly subjects were recruited.

INTERVENTION

Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) (20 g/day) and the control group received casein (20 g/day) during a 135-day period. In addition, both groups performed the same resistance training program (3 times per week).

MEASUREMENTS

Body composition (DXA) and muscle strength (leg press) were measured.

RESULTS

Of the 99 recruited participants, 84 completed the 135-day study period. Of these, 67 subjects (33 in the casein group and 34 in the Immunocal® group) complied and used at least 80 % of the study product and completed at least 80 % of their training sessions. Results in this selected group show an increase in all three muscle strength variables (absolute, normalized by BW and by LBM) by 31.0 %, 30.9 % and 30.0 %, respectively in the casein group as well as 39.3 %, 39.9 % and 43.3 %, respectively in the Immunocal® group after the intervention (p < 0.05). The increases in muscle strength favored Immunocal® versus casein by approximately 10 % when expressed in kg per kg BW and in kg per kg LBM (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found between pre-and-post intervention in both groups for total LBM.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed increases in muscle strength in both groups after resistance training, however, significant additional increases were observed in muscle strength with the addition of a cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein.

Baicalein-induced apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum stress through elevations of reactive oxygen species and mitochondria dependent pathway in mouse-rat hybrid retina ganglion cells (N18)

Studies were designed to investigate the effects of baicalein on mouse-rat hybrid retina ganglion cells (N18) to better understand its effect on apoptosis and apoptosis-related genes in vitro. Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytoplasmic Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis induction, and caspases-3 activity were examined by flow cytometric assay. Apoptosis-associated proteins such as p53, Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and caspase-3 were examined by Western blot. We demonstrated the increase in the levels of p53, Bax, and cytochrome c and decrease in the level of Bcl-2, which are associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death after 24 h treatment with baicalein in N18 cells. Baicalein induced an increase in the cytoplasmic levels of ROS and Ca2+ in 1 h and reached their peak at 3 h, and thereafter a loss of MMP by flow cytometry. We also demonstrated a release of the cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol and an activation of caspase-3, which led to the occurrence of apoptosis in N18 cells treated with baicalein by Western blot. Pretreatment was conducted with BAPTA (intracellular calcium chelator) in baicalein-treated cells, the decline of MMP was recovered, and the increase in the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+ was suppressed, and the proportion of apoptosis was also markedly diminished. In conclusion, our data suggests that oxidative stress and cellular Ca2+ modulates the baicalein-induced cell death via a Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial death pathway in N18 cells.

Emerging health properties of whey proteins and their clinical implications

The nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet (small stool) eating her curds and whey. ..." is recognition of the fact that over the centuries "curds and whey", the two major components of cow's milk, have been widely accepted as part of a healthy diet. Milk provides complete nourishment for the neonate for six months from birth, containing factors that help develop various organ systems including the brain, immune system, and the intestine. Importantly it provides immune protection at a time when the neonates own immune system, though fully developed, is albeit immature. Many adult consumers include cow's milk as part of a healthy diet as it provides protein and essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, in particular calcium for strong bones. There is a growing appreciation that milk, and in particular whey, contains components that not only provide nutrition, but can also prevent and attenuate disease, or augment conventional therapies, when delivered in amounts that exceed normal dietary intakes. This paper reviews the emerging health properties of whey proteins and their clinical implications.

Bovine whey proteins – Overview on their main biological properties

Whey, a liquid by-product, is widely accepted to contain many valuable constituents. These include especially proteins that possess important nutritional and biological properties – particularly with regard to promotion of health, as well as prevention of diseases and health conditions. Antimicrobial and antiviral actions, immune system stimulation, anticarcinogenic activity and other metabolic features have indeed been associated with such whey proteins, as α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase, and bovine serum albumin. The most important advances reported to date pertaining to biological properties of whey proteins are reviewed in this communication.

A strategy for controlling potential interactions between natural health products and chemotherapy: a review in pediatric oncology

The high prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use including natural health products (NHPs) in the pediatric oncology population is well established. The potential for concurrent use of NHPs with conventional chemotherapy necessitates physician awareness regarding the potential risks and benefits that might come from this coadministration. Knowledge of interactions between NHPs and chemotherapy is poorly characterized; however, an understanding of potential mechanisms of interaction by researchers and clinicians is important. Concerns regarding the use of antioxidants during chemotherapy are controversial and evidence exists to support both adherents and detractors in this debate. Our review addresses issues regarding potential interactions between NHPs and chemotherapies used in pediatric oncology from a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic perspective. Examples of combinations of NHP and chemotherapies are briefly presented in addition to a strategy to avoid (or induce) a possible interaction between a NHP and chemotherapy. In conclusion, more clinical research is needed to substantiate or preclude the use of NHPs in the treatment of cancer and especially in combination with chemotherapy.

Whey protein concentrate promotes the production of glutathione (GSH) by GSH reductase in the PC12 cell line after acute ethanol exposure

Excessive ethanol consumption may increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in the damage of tissues, especially the neurons and glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of whey protein concentrate (WPC) on the glutathione (GSH) status after acute ethanol exposure in the pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line. In this study, we assayed the cell viability, the percentage of lactate dehydrogenase released (% LDH released), the level of GSH, and the activity of GSH reductase (GRx). The results showed that with the supplement of WPC, the cell viability displayed no significant difference after acute exposure of ethanol in groups with or without ethanol treatment. The ethanol-induced cytotoxicity showed a slight decrease ,and the level of GSH showed a significant increase. The activity of GRx significantly increased when 0.1, 10mg/ml of WPC was supplied. In conclusion, these results suggest that WPC in a moderate concentration should be a precursor agent to promote the production of GSH and will enhance the antioxidant capacity in the PC12 cell line.