Abstract
BackgroundEnprocal is a high-protein micro-nutrient rich formulated supplementary food designed to meet the nutritional needs of the frail elderly and be delivered to them in every day foods. We studied the potential of Enprocal to improve gut and immune health using simple and robust bioassays for gut cell proliferation, intestinal integrity/permeability, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Effects of Enprocal were compared with whey protein concentrate 80 (WPC), heat treated skim milk powder, and other commercially available milk derived products.ResultsEnprocal (undigested) and digested (Enprocal D) selectively enhanced cell proliferation in normal human intestinal epithelial cells (FHs74-Int) and showed no cytotoxicity. In a dose dependent manner Enprocal induced cell death in Caco-2 cells (human colon adencarcinoma epithelial cells). Digested Enprocal (Enprocal D: gut enzyme cocktail treated) maintained the intestinal integrity in transepithelial resistance (TEER) assay, increased the permeability of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and did not induce oxidative stress to the gut epithelial cells. Enprocal D upregulated the surface expression of co-stimulatory (CD40, CD86, CD80), MHC I and MHC II molecules on PMA differentiated THP-1 macrophages in coculture transwell model, and inhibited the monocyte/lymphocyte (THP-1/Jurkat E6-1 cells)-epithelial cell adhesion. In cytokine secretion analyses, Enprocal D down-regulated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and up-regulated IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-10.ConclusionOur results indicate that Enprocal creates neither oxidative injury nor cytotoxicity, stimulates normal gut cell proliferation, up regulates immune cell activation markers and may aid in the production of antibodies. Furthermore, through downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, Enprocal appears to be beneficial in reducing the effects of chronic gut inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Stimulation of normal human fetal intestinal cell proliferation without cell cytotoxicity indicates it may also be given as infant food particularly for premature babies.
Highlights
Enprocal is a high-protein micro-nutrient rich formulated supplementary food designed to meet the nutritional needs of the frail elderly and be delivered to them in every day foods
Provides the first report on the bioactivity of digested Enprocal components which may be released through enzymatic action from its key ingredients such as whey protein concentrate for gut epithelial cell growth, integrity, absorptive, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties
Digested Enprocal (Enprocal D) maintains cell growth, enhances cell proliferation and shows no cytotoxicity in normal human intestinal epithelial cells Near complete digestion of Enprocal and other digested milk product controls was achieved after 4 hours incubation with gut enzyme cocktail mixture (Fig 1)
Summary
Enprocal is a high-protein micro-nutrient rich formulated supplementary food designed to meet the nutritional needs of the frail elderly and be delivered to them in every day foods. Diets of the elderly are generally low in protein, low in energy and deficient in a range of micro-nutrients [1,3,4]. In particular those based on whey proteins, are being marketed to improve the health status of the elderly [4] as well as other target groups e.g. athletes and babies. Recent examples include WO2007/070754 a high protein dietary supplement for treating various diseases associated with protein deficiency (Novalife); and WO2007/ 022991 compositions for enhancing vascular integrity, cellular survival and reducing apoptosis in ischema (Nestec)
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