Protective activity of α-lactoalbumin (ALAC), a whey protein rich in tryptophan, in rodent models of epileptogenesis

Russo, Emilio; Scicchitano, Francesca; Citraro, Rita; Aiello, Rossana; Camastra, Caterina; Mainardi, P.; Chimirri, Serafina; Perucca, Emilio; Donato, Giuseppe; Sarro, Giovambattista De

doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.09.021

Cited by 34 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…This protein contributes as well to the balanced amino acid composition of BM and, in particular, to its high levels of tryptophan, which ultimately allows BM to cover the infant’s amino acid requirements with limited amounts of protein [41]. High levels of tryptophan in this protein would be also associated with its protective effects against epileptic seizures in animal models [42]. Besides its nutritional role, the α-lactalbumin HAMLET complex found in BM has anti-tumoral [9] and bactericidal effects [8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Changes of Protein Composition in Breast Milk of Chinese Urban Mothers and Impact of Caesarean Section Delivery

et al. 2016

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Human breast milk (BM) protein composition may be impacted by lactation stage or factors related to geographical location. The present study aimed at assessing the temporal changes of BM major proteins over lactation stages and the impact of mode of delivery on immune factors, in a large cohort of urban mothers in China. 450 BM samples, collected in three Chinese cities, covering 8 months of lactation were analyzed for α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, serum albumin, total caseins, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM and IgG) and transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and β2 content by microfluidic chip- or ELISA-based quantitative methods. Concentrations and changes over lactation were aligned with previous reports. α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, IgA, IgM and TGF-β1 contents followed similar variations characterized by highest concentrations in early lactation that rapidly decreased before remaining stable up to end of lactation. TGF-β2 content displayed same early dynamics before increasing again. Total caseins followed a different pattern, showing initial increase before decreasing back to starting values. Serum albumin and IgG levels appeared stable throughout lactation. In conclusion, BM content in major proteins of urban mothers in China was comparable with previous studies carried out in other parts of the world and C-section delivery had only very limited impact on BM immune factors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Changes of Protein Composition in Breast Milk of Chinese Urban Mothers and Impact of Caesarean Section Delivery

et al. 2016

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“…All this provides evidence of signal-related brain activity and suggests that when the inferior colliculus is externally stimulated and the sensation is perceived, and the cortical response is specific for every signal sent, making this stimulation technique interesting and suitable for carrying information. Moreover, periodic pulse stimulation leads to frequency locking and thus can be of help in understanding epileptic seizure control through the modulation of the activity of the brain [35,36]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomimetic Sonar for Electrical Activation of the Auditory Pathway

et al. 2017

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Relying on the mechanism of bat's echolocation system, a bioinspired electronic device has been developed to investigate the cortical activity of mammals in response to auditory sensorial stimuli. By means of implanted electrodes, acoustical information about the external environment generated by a biomimetic system and converted in electrical signals was delivered to anatomically selected structures of the auditory pathway. Electrocorticographic recordings showed that cerebral activity response is highly dependent on the information carried out by ultrasounds and is frequency-locked with the signal repetition rate. Frequency analysis reveals that delta and beta rhythm content increases, suggesting that sensorial information is successfully transferred and integrated. In addition, principal component analysis highlights how all the stimuli generate patterns of neural activity which can be clearly classified. The results show that brain response is modulated by echo signal features suggesting that spatial information sent by biomimetic sonar is efficiently interpreted and encoded by the auditory system. Consequently, these results give new perspective in artificial environmental perception, which could be used for developing new techniques useful in treating pathological conditions or influencing our perception of the surroundings. BackgroundUltrasound (US) plays an important role in the environmental perception of many species of mammals (such as rats and bats) for communication and survival; indeed, they use incoming US to gather information about incumbent danger, food availability, and navigational ranging [1]. Although Rodentia and Microchiroptera do not claim a common phylogenetic origin, recent literature reports that there are certain similarities in both mammals regarding anatomical organization [2,3]. Moreover, the cortical area arrangement and cortical frequency processing are similar to other mammals [4][5][6].US frequency range of bats and rats partially overlaps and both eutherian lineages possess similar encoding process of mechanical US waves, although with different aims as spatial navigation and social communication [7,8]. In this study, a method for stimulating rats neural centres by using a bats bioinspired neuroelectronic interface is proposed. The electronic system for US signal processing is based on the natural sonar of Pteronotus parnellii and was previously investigated for modulating brain activity [9,10]. This study demonstrated ultrasound waves, which are properly decoded into bioelectrical signals, travelled along the acoustic pathway, and successfully reached cortical areas, processing sensorial information according to the environment or to cognitive demands. Similarly, exogenous stimulation may alter sensory perception by acting on the neural networks [11].Hereafter, we have investigated how different signal patterns, emulating ultrasound echoes, affected brain activity by means of implanted electrodes connected to an electronic interface. Different patterns of echo signals at 50 ...

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“…Bolus administration of a-lactalbumin during acute chemically induced seizure reduced seizure activity by as much as 90% in both rats and mice. 143 The tryptophan-rich protein structure of a-lactalbumin may facilitate enhanced synthesis of serotonin from a tryptophan precursor. 142 Russo et al 143 have also suggested that a-lactalbumin inhibits Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors in the central nervous system, as evidenced by the reversal of a-lactalbumin-induced antiseizure activity during cotreatment with the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist D-serine.…”

Section: Antiepileptic Properties Of A-lactalbuminmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…143 The tryptophan-rich protein structure of a-lactalbumin may facilitate enhanced synthesis of serotonin from a tryptophan precursor. 142 Russo et al 143 have also suggested that a-lactalbumin inhibits Nmethyl-D-aspartate receptors in the central nervous system, as evidenced by the reversal of a-lactalbumin-induced antiseizure activity during cotreatment with the N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist D-serine. Epilepsy affects approximately 65 million individuals worldwide; well-tolerated antiepileptic agents based on milk a-lactalbumin may represent a treatment option for daily symptom management.…”

Section: Antiepileptic Properties Of A-lactalbuminmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical applications of bioactive milk components

Hill

Newburg

2015

Nutrition Reviews

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Milk represents a unique resource for translational medicine: It contains a rich pool of biologically active molecules with demonstrated clinical benefits. The ongoing characterization of the mechanistic process through which milk components promote development and immunity has revealed numerous milk-derived compounds with potential applications as clinical therapies in infectious and inflammatory disease, cancer, and other conditions. Lactoferrin is an effective antimicrobial and antiviral agent in high-risk patient populations and a potentially potent adjuvant to chemotherapy in lung cancer. Enteric nutrition formulas supplemented with transforming growth factor b, a milk cytokine, have been shown to promote remission in pediatric Crohn's disease. A number of milk glycans, including human milk oligosaccharides, show promise in preclinical studies as antimicrobial and antiinflammatory agents. While active preclinical investigations of human milk may soon result in large-scale production of human milk molecules, bovine milk components in many instances represent a practical source of bioactive milk compounds for use in clinical trials. This review summarizes current efforts to translate the compounds derived from human and bovine milk into effective clinical therapies. These efforts suggest a common pathway for the translation of milk-derived compounds into clinical applications.

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Protective activity of α-lactoalbumin (ALAC), a whey protein rich in tryptophan, in rodent models of epileptogenesis

Cited by 34 publications

References 38 publications

Temporal Changes of Protein Composition in Breast Milk of Chinese Urban Mothers and Impact of Caesarean Section Delivery

Temporal Changes of Protein Composition in Breast Milk of Chinese Urban Mothers and Impact of Caesarean Section Delivery

Biomimetic Sonar for Electrical Activation of the Auditory Pathway

Clinical applications of bioactive milk components

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