Modulation of interferon gamma response through orally administered bovine colostrum in active adolescent boys

Bovine colostrum (BC) is a rich source of bioactive components reported to have health promoting effects. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of six-week supplementation of BC on the production of gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) in active adolescent male. Subjects were recruited from the students who were under-going regular athletics training. The subjects were randomly assigned into control and experimental groups. The control group (n=18) received daily supplementation of skim milk while the experimental group (n=18) received bovine colostrum (20 g/day). Fasting venous blood samples were collected on day-0 and day-42 for measurement of IFN-γ produced by concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated PBL. Interferon-γ levels were quantified using ELISA. Changes in IFN-γ levels from baseline to endpoints for both groups were compared and presented as mean (± SD). Although baseline levels of cytokine concentrations were similar in both groups, there was a decreasing trend in IFN-γ production by the mitogenstimulated PBL from subjects who received the bovine colostrum supplement compared to controls. The findings of the present study suggest that oral supplementation of bovine colostrum for a period of 6 weeks may modulate in vitro IFN-γ concentration.