PROMISE – Milk proteins as mineral carriers to mitigate inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a common denominator of multiple lifestyle-mediated conditions with increasing global prevalence. These include obesity, Type 2 diabetes, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. Gut inflammation is inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, which reduces the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrients and fluid. In this project, the researchers will test the hypothesis, that α-lactalbumin and osteopontin can deliver essential minerals to intestinal cells and mitigate or prevent development of gut inflammatory processes, or even mitigate gut inflammation when such is ongoing.

By: Grith Mortensen

Gut barrier leakiness is at the center of lifestyle mediated chronic inflammation. A common manifestation of chronic inflammation is deficiency of the essential minerals, zinc and iron. In the on-going DDRF project “Mineral milk”, the researchers have obtained strong data indicating that milk protein, in particularly the proteins osteopontin and α-lactalbumin are capable of binding high amounts of zinc and iron, and efficiently increase their uptake in intestinal cells. These properties are retained even after simulated gastric digestion and in the presence of plant phytate, which can reduce the bioavailability of minerals in plant-based meals.

In the present project, the researchers will use advanced cellular models of the intestinal barrier and mice models of intestinal inflammation to investigate if these milk proteins can be used as transporters of essential minerals to the gut to target inflammatory conditions underlying many lifestyle diseases. The project will generate important data and knowledge on the role of specific milk proteins in the uptake of micronutrients and their potential function in prevention and mitigation of intestinal inflammation.