In vivo and in vitro gastric emptying of protein fractions of milk replacers containing whey proteins

Systematic review of the impact of feed protein type and degree of hydrolysis on gastric emptying in children

Background

The choice of infant formula is thought to play an important role on gastric emptying (GE) in a variety of gastrointestinal disorders. It is known that many ingredients impact on GE, including the type of protein and level of hydrolysis. In clinical practice, feeds are often recommended due to putative improved GE related to the type of protein and level of hydrolysis, however whether this is scientifically justified still needs to be established. A systematic review comparing the impact of protein type and hydrolysis on GE in children was therefore performed.

Methods

The Patient, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome system was used. A structured literature search was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines, searching PubMed, Cochrane databases and Google Scholar from 1990 to 2014. We only included articles published in full text English language using specific search terms, including both scintigraphy and C13-octanoic acid breath test.

Results

We identified 126 publications of which 20 were eligible for inclusion but only 8 were included. Studies reviewed GE in both healthy children as well as those with neurodevelopmental delay and reflux. Two studies investigating GE of breast milk versus formula indicated a faster GE for breast milk. Four studies found that feeds containing whole whey in varying amounts emptied faster than predominant whole casein feeds and one study found no difference in GE. Five studies investigated a mix of whole versus hydrolysed protein and found conflicting results related to study population and hydrolysis.

Conclusions

Breast milk has a faster GE than formula milk. Although there seems to be a trend towards whey feeds emptying faster, different methodologies, feed compositions and patient groups makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Future studies should be performed with comparable feeds in populations where increased GE may be of clinical benefit.

Studies of composition and major protein level in milk and colostrum of mares

The aim of the study was to determine the changes in composition and physicochemical features (pH, density, thermostability and acidity) of mare colostrum and milk, and of protein fraction contribution (serum albumin, β-casein, γ-casein, α-lactalbumin, G class immunoglobulins) depending on lactation stage. The research material was colostrum and milk samples from 12 Arabian mares. Colostrum samples were collected within 2 h after parturition and milk samples were collected twice, in the 3rd and 6th weeks of lactation. The level of basic milk components decreased significantly (only lactose content increased) as compared to colostrum. Total bacteria count and somatic cell count decreased significantly with an increase in resistance and urea level. The changes observed were connected to differentiated contribution of particular protein fractions and their relative proportions. Lower levels of γ-casein (P ≤ 0.05), β-casein, serum albumin as well as α-lactalbumin were observed in colostrum as compared to those in milk. Any relationship between lactation stage and β-casein content was observed. Serum albumin and α-lactalbumin content increased in subsequent milkings. The level of G class immunoglobulins decreased significantly and its highest level was noted in colostrum. Any significant differences between the 3rd and 6th lactation weeks were obtained.

Use of whey protein beads as a new carrier system for recombinant yeasts in human digestive tract

A new immobilizing protocol using whey protein isolates was developed to entrap recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The model yeast strain expresses the heterologous P45073A1 that converts trans-cinnamic acid into p-coumaric acid. Beads resulted from a cold-induced gelation of a whey protein solution (10%) containing yeasts (7.5 x 10(7)cells ml(-1)) into 0.1M CaCl(2). The viability and growth capability of yeasts were not altered by our entrapment process. The release and activity of immobilized yeasts were studied in simulated human gastric conditions. During the first 60 min of digestion, 2.2+/-0.9% (n=3) of initial entrapped yeasts were recovered in the gastric medium suggesting that beads should cross the gastric barrier in human. The P45073A1 activity of entrapped yeasts remained significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of free ones throughout digestion (trans-cinnamic acid conversion rate of 63.4+/-1.6% versus 51.5+/-1.8% (n=3) at 120 min). The protein matrix seemed to create a microenvironment favoring the activity of yeasts in the stringent gastric conditions. These results open up new opportunities for the development of drug delivery system using recombinant yeasts entrapped in whey protein beads. The main potential medical applications include biodetoxication or the correction of digestive enzyme deficiencies.

The effects of α-lactabumin and whey protein concentrate on dry matter recovery, TCA soluble protein levels, and peptide distribution in the rat gastrointestinal tract

The effects of two dietary proteins on dry matter recovery, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) soluble protein concentration, and peptide distribution in gastrointestinal contents were investigated in rats trained to consume, in a single 2-hour daily meal, diets containing α-lactalbumin (α-LA) or whey protein concentrate (WPC) for two weeks. Compared with the WPC diet, the α-LA diet emptied faster from the stomach. Dry matter recovery was higher in the stomach contents of rats fed the WPC diet than in those given the α-LA diet, but dry matter content in the small intestine was comparable. TCA soluble protein levels in the stomach and the small intestinal contents were also significantly (P &lt 0.001) higher in rats fed the WPC diet. The concentration of peptides having molecular weights (MW) ranging from 12 500–30 000 daltons (Da) was higher in the stomach contents of rats fed the WPC diet. Conversely, the level of peptides ranging from 5000–12 500 Da was higher in the stomach contents of rats fed the α-LA diet. For both diets, the small intestinal contents were characterized by high levels of amino acids and small peptides. These results suggest that the hydrolysis and absorption of α-LA is faster than that of WPC.Key words: In vivo protein digestion, peptides absorption, whey protein concentrate, α-lactalbumin, stomach emptying.

The effect of whey protein concentrate or dried skim milk in milk replacer on calf performance and blood metabolites

Whey protein concentrate and dried skim milk were each evaluated as the major protein source in milk replacer using four treatments (100% skim milk, 67% skim milk and 33% whey protein concentrate, 33% skim milk and 67% whey protein concentrate, and 100% whey protein concentrate). In the first trial, 64 calves were fed only milk replacer from birth to 6 wk of age. In the second trial, 61 calves were fed milk replacer and were allowed ad libitum intake of starter from birth to 6 wk of age. Calves were fed milk replacer at 10% of birth weight for the first 2 wk and at 12% of birth weight thereafter. In trial 1, average daily gains and feed efficiencies were significantly improved for calves that consumed the milk replacers containing 67 and 100% whey protein concentrate over those for calves that were fed the milk replacer containing 100% skim milk. No difference in growth or feed efficiency caused by treatment was detected in trial 2. Average daily gain in trial 2 was correlated with total starter intake. In trial 1, plasma glucose concentrations were correlated with growth rates and were highest for calves fed the milk replacer containing 67% whey protein concentrate. No differences were found for fecal scores or days scoured between trials. When only milk replacer was fed, higher proportions of whey protein concentrate improved calf performance, but, when starter was also provided, no effect of milk replacer was found.

In vivo and in vitro gastric emptying of milk replacers containing soybean proteins

Gastric digestion of three milk replacers for which protein was provided either exclusively by milk powder or partially (50%) by heated soybean flour or soybean protein concentrate was studied in vivo and in vitro. In vivo gastric emptying of protein fractions of the diets was measured in six preruminant calves fitted with reentrant duodenal cannulas and used in a double 3 x 3 Latin square design. In vitro gastric emptying was studied after hydrochloric acid and rennet digestion in an artificial stomach. In vivo and in vitro flow rates of 12% TCA-insoluble N and total N were higher for the soybean diets than for the milk protein diet, indicating that the incorporation of soybean protein prevented casein from clotting. Because of this faster gastric emptying, proteolysis in the stomach was reduced. However, gastric emptying of NPN (12% TCA-soluble N) was significantly decreased only in vitro. No difference existed between the two milk replacers containing either soybean flour or soybean protein concentrate. In vivo and in vitro results were correlated, suggesting that the in vitro method could be used to predict gastric digestion of protein fractions in vivo.