The Science Behind Proline Rich Peptides and Other Growth Factors Derived From Bovine Colostrum
Colostrum has been used as a health supplement for many years mainly to help support immune functions in the body. However, colostrum has been used in protein formulations and individual concentrated supplement to improve physical performance and increase lean muscle mass. To understand the science behind touted benefits of colostrum we must first identify what important factors are found in colostrum, what these do in the body.
Factor 1: Proline Rich Peptides
These naturally occurring peptides are found throughout the body and are the main regulators of cell protein synthesis. PRPs are also often called info-peptides, info-proteins, or cytokine precursors. Proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs) function as signaling peptides produced by activated macrophages and activated T-cells that control the production of all cytokines.
PRPs have the unique ability to modulate the immune system, increasing its activity level in the case of a challenge, such as an infection or a wound, and decreasing its activity level when the challenge is controlled. When an infection is detected by scout immune cells, chemical signals go out to mobilize other cells to come to the defense and fight off the infection. PRPs are one of the primary signals to go out at this time. And later, when the infection has been contained, PRPs are again one of the primary signals to call down the inflammatory response to the infection.
The inflammatory response consists of a complex series of events in which the body mobilizes its defenses to the site of the infection. PRPs are involved in that mobilization effort as well as controlling the production of immune proteins by immune cells. PRPs stimulate the production of leukocytes (white blood cells) which are a principal component of the inflammatory response. PRPs increase the permeability of the blood vessels in the skin allowing immune cells and antibodies to enter the tissue space to fight off the infection. PRPs stimulate natural killer (NK) cells, which are a specialized type of hunter-killer lymphocytes. They are the first responders in case of an infection and will attack and destroy anything they encounter that is not identified as "self."
All disease states in the body mostly begin with an acute inflammation response usually in the form of pain. This is followed by a chronic inflammatory response (continued worsening pain) which if not treated can develop into more serious disease states. PRPs are attracted to these inflammatory signals and have the ability to assist the body’s immune system to modulate these responses quickly, therefore limiting or halting their progression.
PRPs have the unique ability to modulate the immune system, increasing its activity level in the case of a challenge, such as an infection or a wound, and decreasing its activity level when the challenge is controlled. When an infection is detected by scout immune cells, chemical signals go out to mobilize other cells to come to the defense and fight off the infection. PRPs are one of the primary signals to go out at this time. And later, when the infection has been contained, PRPs are again one of the primary signals to call down the inflammatory response to the infection.
The inflammatory response consists of a complex series of events in which the body mobilizes its defenses to the site of the infection. PRPs are involved in that mobilization effort as well as controlling the production of immune proteins by immune cells. PRPs stimulate the production of leukocytes (white blood cells) which are a principal component of the inflammatory response. PRPs increase the permeability of the blood vessels in the skin allowing immune cells and antibodies to enter the tissue space to fight off the infection. PRPs stimulate natural killer (NK) cells, which are a specialized type of hunter-killer lymphocytes. They are the first responders in case of an infection and will attack and destroy anything they encounter that is not identified as "self."
All disease states in the body mostly begin with an acute inflammation response usually in the form of pain. This is followed by a chronic inflammatory response (continued worsening pain) which if not treated can develop into more serious disease states. PRPs are attracted to these inflammatory signals and have the ability to assist the body’s immune system to modulate these responses quickly, therefore limiting or halting their progression.
Factor 2: Immunoglobulins
Immunoglobulins are proteins of animal origin with known antibody activity, synthesized by lymphocytes and plasma cells and found in serum and in other body fluids and tissues. The immunoglobulin fraction in bovine colostrum is composed of approximately 70-80% IgG, 10-15% IgA, 10-15% IgM and IgE and IgD in small amounts. These immunofactors serve the following in the body:
IgG - Primary function is to identify and help destroy invading microbes provides the majority of antibody based immunity.
IgA - First line of defense in the mucosal surfaces in the body.
IgM - Enhances phagocytosis by destroying invading pathogens as IgG levels increase.
IgE - Involved with allergic reactions (histamine related) and defense against enteric parasites.
IgD - Attached to B cells - stimulated lymphocyctes to produce antibodies by presenting antigens to them.
Factor 3: Growth Factors (IgF, TGF beta-2, EGF, PDGF)
Colostrum contains many growth factors including insulin like growth factor-1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2), epithelial growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), and transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-A and TGF-B). These growth factors are peptides that function as intercellular signaling molecules to turn on or turn off specific functions or production of specific proteins in the target cells. In general, these factors will contribute to a healthy intenstinal wall, however, IGF-1 and FGF do have some specific benefits for physical performance improvement and support.
IgF-1 - Insulin like growth factor is well established to have direct impact on increasing skeletal muscle hypertrophy and decrease muscle atrophy. One way this is thought to be induced is through activation of protein kinase mTOR. This is the same pathway in which the amino acid leucine and its metabolites are thought to activate skeletal muscle hypertrophy.
FGF - Fibroblast growth factors is know to have direct anabolic effects on connective tissues such as collagen and cartilage. Thus, FGF can help improve not only wound healing but also joint tissue repair.
Factor 4: Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein produced by many exocrine glands and is also a major constituent of the secondary granules of neutrophilic leukocytes. Lactoferrin acts as an iron-chelator, which may contribute to its antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activity, but it also has effects on cell growth and differentiation. Recent studies have established lactoferrin as a novel anabolic factor in osteoblasts (bone building cells), which also reduces osteoclast (bone destroying cells) differentiation, causing an overall effect of increase in bone mass through the promotion of bone formation and the inhibition of bone resorption.
Products that we carry with colostrum: Larry Scott Hypergrowth, Mutant Mass, Bio Gro, Now Immune Advantage
