Bio-Molecular Characteristics of Whey Proteins with Relation to Inflammation

Abstract

Whey proteins in bovine milk are a mixture of globular proteins manufactured from whey which is a byproduct of cheese industry. Whey protein is categorized to contain plethora of healthy components due to wide range of pH, promising nutritional profile with cost effective and diverse functionality. Reportedly there are three categories of whey protein, whey protein concentrate (WPC) (29–89%); whey protein isolate (WPI) 90% and whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) on the basis of proteins present in them. Whey proteins is composed of β-lactoglobulin (45–57%), immunoglobulins (10–15%) α-lactalbumin (15–25%), glicomacropeptide (10–15%), lactoperoxidase (<1%) and lactoferrin nearly (1%). Whey protein plays an important role and is validated to confer anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory roles related to all metabolic syndromes. According to molecular point of view whey proteins decrease inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF- α); inhibits ACE and NF-κB expression; promotes Fas signaling and caspase-3 expression; elevates GLP-1, PYY, CCK, G1P and leptin; chelate and binds Fe+3, Mn+3 and Zn+2. In this chapter we will discuss significant biological role of whey proteins related to inflammatory health issues.