Heavy exercise causes gut symptoms and, in extreme cases, "heat stroke" partially due to increased intestinal permeability of luminal toxins. We examined bovine colostrum, a natural source of growth factors, as a potential moderator of such effects. Twelve volunteers completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover protocol (14 days colostrum/placebo) prior to standardized exercise. Gut permeability utilized 5 h urinary lactulose-to-rhamnose ratios. In vitro studies (T84, HT29, NCM460 human colon cell lines) examined colostrum effects on temperature-induced apoptosis (active caspase-3 and 9, Bax␣, Bcl-2), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression and epithelial electrical resistance. In both study arms, exercise increased blood lactate, heart rate, core temperature (mean 1.4°C rise) by similar amounts. Gut hormone profiles were similar in both arms although GLP-1 levels rose following exercise in the placebo but not the colostrum arm (P ϭ 0.026). Intestinal permeability in the placebo arm increased 2.5-fold following exercise (0.38 Ϯ 0.012 baseline, to 0.92 Ϯ 0.014, P Ͻ 0.01), whereas colostrum truncated rise by 80% (0.38 Ϯ 0.012 baseline to 0.49 Ϯ 0.017) following exercise. In vitro apoptosis increased by 47-65% in response to increasing temperature by 2°C. This effect was truncated by 60% if colostrum was present (all P Ͻ 0.01). Similar results were obtained examining epithelial resistance (colostrum truncated temperature-induced fall in resistance by 64%, P Ͻ 0.01). Colostrum increased HSP70 expression at both 37 and 39°C (P Ͻ 0.001) and was truncated by addition of an EGF receptor-neutralizing antibody. Temperature-induced increase in Bax␣ and reduction in Bcl-2 was partially reversed by presence of colostrum. Colostrum may have value in enhancing athletic performance and preventing heat stroke.repair; gut growth; injury; clinical trial SEVERAL STRESSES AFFECT the integrity of the intestinal barrier. These include prolonged strenuous exercise (10), heat stress (11), and drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Loss of intestinal barrier integrity leading to increased intestinal permeability may result in passage of luminal endotoxins into the circulation. This, in turn, results in an inflammatory cascade, exacerbating the loss of barrier function and, in severe cases, resulting in severe systemic effects.Severe cases of decompensation can result in the lifethreatening condition of exertional heat stroke, associated with hyperthermia, multiorgan failure, and endotoxemia. In addition, it is increasingly recognized that similar processes have relevance for many athletes involved in heavy exercise such as long-distance running. Gastrointestinal symptoms including cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and bleeding are commonly reported by long-distance runners (16). These symptoms are likely to be due to a combination of reduced splanchnic blood flow, hormonal changes, altered gut permeability, and increased body temperature.Pharmacological options to reduce these problems are limited, particularly in compe...