Oral Supplementation with Bovine Colostrum Decreases Intestinal Permeability and Stool Concentrations of Zonulin in Athletes

Abstract

Increased intestinal permeability has been implicated in various pathologies, has various causes, and can develop during vigorous athletic training. Colostrum bovinum is a natural supplement with a wide range of supposed positive health effects, including reduction of intestine permeability. We assessed influence of colostrum supplementation on intestinal permeability related parameters in a group of 16 athletes during peak training for competition. This double-blind placebo-controlled study compared supplementation for 20 days with 500 mg of colostrum bovinum or placebo (whey). Gut permeability status was assayed by differential absorption of lactulose and mannitol (L/M test) and stool zonulin concentration. Baseline L/M tests found that six of the participants (75%) in the colostrum group had increased intestinal permeability. After supplementation, the test values were within the normal range and were significantly lower than at baseline. The colostrum group Δ values produced by comparing the post-intervention and baseline results were also significantly lower than the placebo group Δ values. The differences in stool zonulin concentration were smaller than those in the L/M test, but were significant when the Δ values due to intervention were compared between the colostrum group and the placebo group. Colostrum bovinum supplementation was safe and effective in decreasing of intestinal permeability in this series of athletes at increased risk of its elevation.

Keywords: colostrum supplementation; intestinal permeability; stool zonulin concentration.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The founding sponsors had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, and in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1

Intestinal permeability assayed by differential sugar absorption and expressed as the lactulose to mannitol ratio (L/M) in urine following placebo or colostrum supplementation (a); The change in permeability after vs. before intervention (Δ) within the placebo and the colostrum groups (b). Data from the double-blind placebo controlled phase of the trial.

Figure 2

Stool zonulin concentration before and after oral administration of colostrum or placebo (a); The change in zonulin concentration after vs. before intervention (Δ) within the colostrum and the placebo groups (b). Data from the double-blind placebo-controlled phase of the trial.

Figure 3

Intestinal permeability measured by differential sugar absorption and expressed as lactulose to mannitol ratio (L/M) in urine on sequential oral administration of placebo and colostrum (a); The change in permeability due to supplementation (Δ) with placebo in the double-blind study (day 22 vs. day 0) and with colostrum in the open-label trial (day 44 vs. day 22) (b). Data are from open-label (colostrum)/double-blind (placebo) trial phases in the same group of participants.

Figure 4

Intestinal (stool) zonulin concentration on sequential oral administration of placebo and colostrum (a); The change in zonulin concentration due to supplementation (Δ) with placebo in the double-blind trial (day 22 vs. day 0) and with colostrum in the open-label trial (day 44 vs. day 22) (b). Data from open-label (colostrum) and double blind (placebo) trial phases were obtained from the same seven participants.

Figure 5

The change due to colostrum supplementation (Δ) in the double-blind vs. open-label phase expressed as the urine lactulose/mannitol ratio (a) and stool zonulin concentration (b). Data from the open-label (colostrum) and double-blind (colostrum) phase of the trial.