IMMUNOMODIFICATORY EFFECT OF DIETARY BOVINE KAPPA-CASEINOGLYCOPEPTIDEON SERUM ANTIBODY-LEVELS AND PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSES OF LYMPHOCYTES IN MICE

The immunomodificatory effect of dietary bovine kappa-caseinoglycopept ide (sequence 106-169, CGP) was examined in mice. Mice fed a mixture o f CGP and ovalbumin (CGP: ovalbumin = 1:9, CGP-added diet) gained weig ht at a similar rate as those fed ovalbumin alone (control diet), and no significant difference in body weight was observed between the 2 gr oups. The proliferative response to concanavalin A, however, was enhan ced in mice fed the CGP-added diet, whereas there were no significant changes associated with CGP for lipopolysaccharide and phytohaemagglut inin responses. Moreover, the ingestion of CGP suppressed the level of serum IgG antibodies specific to dietary ovalbumin and intraperitonea lly injected beta-lactoglobulin, when compared with a diet of ovalbumi n as the only protein. In contrast, IgM, IgA and IgE antibody response s were not influenced by the ingestion of CGP. The present results ind icate that dietary CGP has an immunosuppressing activity in mice, sugg esting that CGP from whey protein concentrates is available as a foods tuff for preparation of immunosuppressive foods.