Abstract
Since the domestication of the urus, 10.000 years ago, mankind utilizes bovine milk for different purposes. Besides usage as a nutrient also the external application of milk on skin has a long tradition going back to at least the ancient Aegypt with Cleopatra VII as a great exponent. In order to test whether milk has impact on skin physiology, cultures of human skin fibroblasts were exposed to commercial bovine milk. Our data show significant induction of proliferation by milk (max. 2,3-fold, EC50: 2,5% milk) without toxic effects. Surprisingly, bovine milk was identified as strong inducer of collagen 1A1 synthesis at both, the protein (4-fold, EC50: 0,09% milk) and promoter level. Regarding the underlying molecular pathways, we show functional activation of STAT6 in a p44/42 and p38-dependent manner. More upstream, we identified IGF-1 and insulin as key factors responsible for milk-induced collagen synthesis. These findings show that bovine milk contains bioactive molecules that act on human skin cells. Therefore, it is tempting to test the herein introduced concept in treatment of atrophic skin conditions induced e.g. by UV light or corticosteroids.
Highlights
Domestication of the urus in Eurasia took place in the Pre-Pottery Neolithic
IGF-1 and testosterone were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Taufkirchen, Germany), TGFβ1 was from R&D Systems (Wiesbaden, Germany)
Normal human fibroblasts were exposed to bovine milk to test the impact on basal cell parameters such as proliferation and morphology
Summary
Besides the cultivation of land, cattle husbandry was mainly exploited for the production of meat and milk. Milk, and colostrums, supports health in many neonates including humans. The supply with milk-derived immunoglobulins is known to reduce infections in newborns [1]. Excluding the period of breastfeeding, milk, and milk-derived products, consumed by humans are mainly from bovine source. There is debate about the relevance of bioactive factors present in bovine milk for human health [2]. Recent studies found that high milk intake is associated with other health disorders. In this respect an elevated mortality and, most
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
