Whey protein concentrates (WPCs) enhance innate mucosal immunity during early life and have a protective role in some immune disorders. To further
elucidate the potential benefits of this protein, the present study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with WPCs on blood parameters, plasma
cytokine profiles, and immune cell proliferation and chemotaxis. A total of 45 male mice were equally distributed into three experimental groups and treated
daily for 21 days as follows: group I was a control group that was orally supplemented with distilled water, group II was orally supplemented with undenatured
WP (100 mg/kg body weight), and group III was orally supplemented with bovine serum albumin (100 mg/kg body weight). We found that the plasma cytokine
levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α and the levels of reactive oxygen species, cholesterol, triglycerides and the lipid profile
were significantly decreased in the WP-treated group compared to the control group. In contrast, the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-8 and glutathione were
significantly elevated, and consequently, the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to proliferate in response to stimulation with different antigens was
significantly increased in the WP-treated group. Moreover, the in vitro chemotaxis of B, T and bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells toward CC chemokine ligand-
21 and CXC chemokine ligand-12 was significantly increased, by twofold, in WP-treated mice compared to the control group. Taken together, our data reveal
the benefits of WP supplementation in enhancing immune cell proliferation and migration to the secondary lymphoid organs.
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.