Milk Facts

7/21/2019 Milk Facts

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THE ROLE OF

MILK COMPONENTSON SKIN HEALTHHuman skin is the largest organ of the body (Furukawa et al., 2008) and has the particularity to be in

perpetual interaction with environmental factors (Dubertret, 2000). Thus, it is important to know and

understand its structure and roles, as well as its factors of aggressions. Some micronutrients, proteins

or peptides from milk have demonstrated beneficial effect in some skin disorders.

1 SKINThe most important function of skin is to form an effective barrier between the inside and

the outside of the organism.

1.1 Composition of skin

The thin structure of skin shows considerable regional

variations, concerning its thickness (varying from 1 to 4 mm),

the distribution of epidermal appendages and the density

of melanocytes. Skin is organized in three layers including

from top to bottom (Figure 1):

• Epidermis or stratum corneum, which is mainly constituted

from keratinocytes (90-95%).

• Dermis or corium, which is the intermediate layer. It is

a supportive, compressible and elastic connective tissue

protecting the epidermis. Its thickness varies considerably

with the anatomic location.

• Hypodermis, which is the deepest layer, is a fatty tissue,

mainly composed of adipocytes (Kankatis, 2002).

In addition to these layers, three epidermal appendages

have been identified and are necessary for the good health

and function of skin: sebaceous glands, hair follicles and

sweat glands (Man et al., 2009).

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Summer 2009 #22

Figure 1: Skin’s structure

(adapted from Brouard and Barrandon, 2003)

Summer 2009 #22

INTRODUCTION

1 SKIN

• Composition of skin

• Roles of skin

• Skin aggression factors

• Skin disorders: risk factors

2 MILK COMPONENTSAND SKIN DISORDERS

• Vitamins and minerals from milk

• Specic proteins

and peptides from milk• Lipids and phospholipids from milk

CONCLUSION



1.2 Roles of skin

1.3 Skin aggression factors

1.4 Skin disorders: risk factors

Skin mainly provides six roles for the good

functioning of the organism. First, it protects

against aggressions (this part is more developed

below). Then, it is able to regulate body temperature

(Blanpain and Fuchs, 2009; Kantakis, 2002).

This involves not only a transepidermal waterregulation that induces a good hydration of skin

(Jung and Stingl, 2008) by the presence of natural

hygroscopic agents within the corneocytes and the

skin cornea intercellular lipids orderly arranged

(Verdier-Sévrain and Bonté, 2007), but also a

very abundant capillary system which also has

a nutritive role (Ambrozy et al., 2009). Moreover,

skin exerts an important sensory function via

the nervous system (Boulais and Misery, 2008).

Besides, skin is able to synthesize vitamin D

(Holick, 2008; Tukaj, 2008), when it is exposed

to the sunlight. This represents an important roleas vitamin D is necessary for a lot of functions

in the organism, like bone mineralization (Holick,

2008; Tukaj, 2008). Skin vitamin D synthesis

can represent up to 90% of the total amount

(Tukaj, 2008).

Here three types of aggressions can be distinguished

(Dubertret, 2000):

• Pyc : There are two types of

physical aggressions: mechanical and light. For

the first, it is mainly the dermis which ensures

this function due to its high content in collagen

and elastin which induce its good resistance. For

the second, in response to sun exposure, skin

is able to synthesize melanin by photoprotective

cells from UV exposure (Miyamura et al., 2007).

• Cmc : Skin is able to prevent

the penetration of chemical substances thanks to

its low permeability. In addition, this permeability

can regulate gas exchange in the organism.

• Bc : Skin possesses immu-

ne cells which are able to counteract the invasion

of micro-organisms. These are the Langerhanscells, which are the equivalent of macrophages.

It seems that skin can induce potent immune

responses.

The main role of skin is to protect the organism against biological, mechanical, and physical aggressions,as it is represented in figure 2 (Proksch et al., 2008). Depending on the environmental aggressions,

skin is able to develop a proper mechanism of defense. For instance, in case of light aggressions, skin

is able to secrete melanin, a pigment which can protect skin cells from UV radiations. In case of rubs,

skin is also able to develop callosity (Dubertret, 2000).

A lot of factors can contribute to skin disorders:

environment, allergy, stress (Kieć-Swierczyńska et

al., 2006; Schmitt et al., 2008), heredity (Chang et al.,

2008), deficiency of micronutrients (El-Gilanyand Fathy, 2009; Zablotska et al., 2008), personal

hygiene (El-Gilany and Fathy, 2009; Wu et al.,

2007), diabetes (Van Hattem et al., 2008), smoking

(Huerta et al., 2007), sun exposure (Chang et al.,

2008), being overweight (Chang et al., 2008)...

It is difficult to define all the risk factors,

because it depends on the skin diseases. If thereis an alteration of one of the three types of defense

mechanism against aggressions described above,

that can be also considered as a risk factor.

Figure 2: Barrier function of skin

(adapted from Proksch et al., 2008)

Summer 2009 #22

THREE TYPES OF

aggressions:

Physical

Chemical

Biological

Risk factors

of skin

disorders

skin helPs to:

protect againstaggressions,

regulate bodytemperature,

synthesizevitamin D,

sensory function.



2.1 Vitamins and minerals from milk

2.2 Specic proteins and peptides from milk

2 MILK COMPONENTS AND SKIN DISORDERS

Which milk components can play a role in the improvement of skin disorders?

Milk is mainly composed of water (about 87%). The other 13% consist of carbohydrateswith lactose, lipids with saturated, mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty

acids, and proteins like caseins and whey proteins. Moreover, milk is an important

source of micronutrients, necessary for the infant development. Beside fat-soluble

and water-soluble vitamins, minerals and trace elements are also present in milk.

Among the different micronutrients that have been

identified, some are recognized for their usefulness

in skin health, as for instance vitamin B12, which,in topical application, seems efficient on ato-

pic dermatitis, and on vitiligo when combined

with vitamin B9 (Stücker et al., 2004; Shaker

and El-Tahlawi, 2008; Juhlin and Olsson, 1997).

Concerning vitamin B9, it seems to have beneficial

effect for psoriasis and others skin diseases (Gi-

sondi et al., 2007). In an observational study, in

4025 women, the vitamin C supplementation was

correlated to a reduction of the cutaneous dryness

and of the wrinkled appearance of skin (Cosgrove

et al., 2007). Moreover, vitamin C, combined with

madecassoside, could ameliorate the clinical

score for deep and superficial wrinkle suppleness,

firmness, roughness and skin hydration (Haftek

et al., 2008). Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A,

present some interests for skin applications.

Indeed, retinol is mainly used for its anti-ageing

properties by topical administration (Bertin et al.,

2008; Mukherjee et al., 2006; Kafi et al., 2007;

Sorg et al., 2006; Carlotti et al., 2006).

Trace elements and minerals have demonstrated

also some beneficial effects for skin health. For

instance, zinc is well recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties for acne (Dreno et

al., 1989) and for its wound healing property

Lansdown et al., 2007). Then, manganese, an

important antioxidant, in theform of a manganese

peptide complex showed a beneficial effect in the

treatment of photodamaged skin, by improving

signs of cutaneous photodamage (Hussain and

Goldberg, 2007). Another trace element, copper,

proves its wound healing action in rabbits in a

topical tripeptide complex form (Gul et al., 2008;

Cangul et al., 2006).

Nevertheless, the amounts of the above-mentioned

micronutrients in the milk are too small to have

individually an effect on skin health. But all

together, in combination with milk proteins, they

could contribute to the good health of skin.

Cow’s milk is a member of the so-called “Big-8”

food allergens (Crittenden and Bennett, 2005;

Meyer, 2008). This allergy is the most frequently

reported during infancy (Crittenden and Benett,

2005), mainly due to beta-lactoglobulin, casein,

alpha-lactalbumin and seroalbumin (Avila Castañó

et al., 2005). This allergy can be manifested by skin

reactions as atopic dermatitis, erythematous rash,

urticaria or angio-odema for instance (Martorell

et al., 2008; Brill, 2008). In addition, some

epidemiological studies hypothesized that there is

a positive association between milk consumption

and acne in teenage boys and girls in general

(Adebamowo et al., 2008; Adebamowo et al.,

2006; Adebamowo et al., 2005).

Nevertheless, various beneficial effects on skin

disorders have been demonstrated for the specific

proteins and peptides isolated from milk, as

presented hereafter.

A lot of vitamins

and minerals

present in milk

have an interest

in skin health



2. Anti-fungal and anti-viral actions

LACTOFERRIN

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding protein from milk.A recent review reported that lactoferrin facilitated

the cure of dermatophytosis and decreased fungal

abundance in the skin of guinea pigs. Research also

demonstrated the beneficial effects of oral bovine

lactoferrin in other animal infections models,

including herpes virus skin infection and oral

candidiasis (Tomita et al., 2009). Lactoferrin has

been demonstrated as having antiviral activity

against Herpes simplex virus-1 and -2 (Marchetti

et al., 2009; Ammendolia et al., 2007). In addition

to interfering with viral entry, bovine lactoferrin

interfered the Herpes Simplex Virus-1 replication

by delaying the viral trafficking towards the nucleus

(Marr et al., 2009).

THE COMBINATION ALPHA-LACTALBUMIN - OLEIC ACID

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blindstudy demonstrated that alpha-lactalbumin, in

combination with oleic acid, is more efficient

than a placebo (saline solution) in 20 people

suffering from skin papillomas. The solutions were

administered topically for 3 weeks. The results

of this first phase indicated a reduction of the

lesion volume for the active group. After 2 years

of treatment, all lesions disappeared for 83% of

the subjects (Gustafsson et al., 2004).

ALPHA-LACTALBUMIN

Alpha-lactalbumin showed anti-bacterial, anti-

tumoral and anti-stress properties. An alpha-

lactalbumin enriched diet is considered as

anxyolitic (Zimecki and Artym, 2005; Zimecki and

Kruzel, 2007). These properties have been demonstra-

ted in 4 clinical trials, 3 of them deals with stress

induced or depressed people (Markus et al.,

2002; Merens et al., 2005; Markus et al., 2000)and one concerns healthy women (Scrutton et al.,

2007). Three clinical trials in healthy women and

in high-stress vulnerable people obtained positive

results, whereas the last one did not demonstrate

any efficacy because of the inadequacy of dose

or duration.

ALPHA-S1-CASEIN

Only two clinical trials have been identified

to measure the anti-stress properties of alpha

S1-casein in healthy human volunteers facing

successive mental and physical stress situa-tions and in stress-related women symptoms

(Messaoudi et al., 2005; Kim et al., 2007). Results

of the 2 trials were positive with an improvement on

stress-related symptoms.

1. a- c: duc f fc f dd

Stress has been shown to be an important factor involved in skin disorders such as pruritus (Pogatzki-

Zahn et al., 2008), psoriasis vulgaris (Chang et al., 2008; Ionov, 2009; Janowski and Pietrzak, 2008;

Malhotra and Mehta, 2008), scleroderma (Chen et al., 2008), allergic skin diseases (Kieć-Swierczyńska

et al., 2008), lichen planus (Krasowska et al., 2008), atopic eczema (Schmitt et al., 2008), rosacea

(Jaworek et al., 2008).

Here, two milk proteins which demonstrated their effectiveness against stress and anxiety have been identified:

Figure 3: Mechanism of action of alpha-lactalbumin

on stress and anxiety

Alpha-lactalbumin

and Alpha

S1-casein can

reduce stress &anxiety that are

wo of risk factors

of skin disorders

Lactoferrin can

reduce theHerpes Simplex

Virus 1 and 2

pha-lactalbumin,

associated

with oleic acid,

can reduce

the lesions

of skinpapillomas



4. Wound healing actions

MITOGENIC BOVINE WHEY PROTEINS

A clinical trial, on people suffering from chronic leg

ulcers, demonstrated that a topical application of

mitogenic bovine whey extract significantly decreased

the levels of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9

compared to the placebo group and also stimulated

wound healing (Valerias et al., 2006). These results

reinforced the in vivo study in which the mitogenicbovine whey extract promoted the closure of excisio-

nal wounds in rat skin (Rayner et al., 2000).

ALPHA-LACTALBUMIN,A WHEY PROTEIN RICH IN CYSTEIN

On the one hand, recent research on animal models

showed that alpha-lactalbumin, a whey protein rich

in cystein, reduces oxidative stress by its ability to

increase glutathione levels in the organism (Blouet

et al., 2007; Mariotti et al., 2004). However, this

antioxidant effect depends on denaturation or partial

hydrolysis of the protein (Clausen et al., 2009).

On the other hand, oxidative stress can modulate

wound healing (Rojkind et al., 2002). It has been shown

that suppressing oxidative stress may accelerate

this process (Tie et al., 2009; Shetty et al., 2008).

Indeed, although small amounts of reactive oxygen

species (ROS) are necessary for the process of

wound healing, an excess of ROS is deleterious

for wound repair. As a reduced level of glutathione

was reported in wounded skin of rats, enhancing

the level of this endogenous low molecular weight

antioxidant may improve wound healing (Schäfer

and Werner, 2008). Like vitamin E (Musalmah et

al., 2005), glutathione also demonstrated its ability

to improve wound healing in vivo: topical application

of glutathione accelerated the process (Mudge et

al., 2002). Thus, by its ability to reduce oxidative

stress, alpha-lactalbumin may indirectly accelerate

wound healing. Nevertheless, the direct correlation

between alpha-lactalbumin supplementation and

wound healing has never been studied.

2.3 Lipids and phospholipids from milk

The composition and content of lipids in milk depend of

the mammalian species. The major fatty acids present

in milk include triacylglycerides, diacylglycerides,

saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and

phospholipids. Bovine milk fat is especially composed

of saturated fatty acids (German and Dillard, 2006).

Phospholipids are present at the level of 1% of total

lipids and 0,03-0,04 % of milk (Haruta et al., 2008).

Lipids are one of the main components of creams

and others cosmetics for skin. Few studies have

been performed on milk fat and skin applications.

However, one in vivo assay investigated the effect of

phospholipids concentrate from bovine milk (per os)

on mice. It was found that this fat fraction improves

significantly epidermis hydration, reduces tran-

sepidermal water-loss and modifies the epidermis

composition (increase of ceramides). All these

phenomena contribute to e hance the skin function

(Haruta et al., 2008).

Summer 2009 #22

3. Anti-psoriasis action

WHEY PROTEIN FRACTION ENRICHEDWITH GROWTH FACTORS

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized

studies and one open-label trial have been carried

out to assess the effect of a whey protein extract. The

most recent study, in 16 persons suffering from mild

to moderate psoriasis, demonstrated that 800 mg of

this whey protein extract for 56 days significantly im-proved the “Dermatology Life Quality Index” and the

“Psoriasis Area and Severity Index” scores (p<0.05)

at the end of the study (Drouin et al., 2008). The

previous trials have demonstrated the efficacy of this

whey protein extract at a more important dose (5g

per day for at least 56 days) in people with mild to

moderate psoriasis too (Poulin et al., 2007; Drouin et

al., 2007; Poulin et al., 2006; Poulin et al., 2005). All

these studies showed that this whey protein fraction

significantly improved the symptomatic scores of pso-

riasis and the quality of life of the participants.

Figure 4: Representative picture of body lesions during

a study where a patient received whey protein extract

(800 mg per day) for 56 days.

Drouin R, Moroni O, Cantin K, Juneau C. “A double-blind, placebo-

controlled, randomized trial of XP-828L (800 mg) on the quality of

life and clinical symptoms of patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis”.

Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):145-52.

A specific

whey protein

extract can

significantly

improve the

psoriasis

symptoms

Mitogenic Bovine

Whey proteins can

improve wound

healing

lpha-Lactalbumincan reduce

oxidative stress.

Suppressing

oxidative stress

can accelerate

wound healing

process

Day 1

Day 56



# 01 Proteins and Satiety

# 02 Alphalactalbumin and Human Nutrition

# 03 Proteins and Sport

# 04 Hydrolysates and Peptides

# 05 Dairy Calcium and Health

# 06 Magnesium and Potassium

# 07 Why are Sulfur amino acids so important?

# 08 Hyperprotein diet: are they useful or dangerous?

# 09 Evaluation of protein quality.Overview of current and future methods

# 10 Special report from Congrilait 2002The 26th World Dairy Congress

# 11 Lactoferrin: General review and

opportunities for the future# 12 Bioactives components in milk

and their physiological function

# 13 Lactose intolerance : the medical point of view

# 14 Allergy: myths and realities

# 15 The soy saga: trying to understand the wave.

# 16 Whey protein and weight management,satiety and muscle metabolism

# 17 Bone health; not just calcium

# 18 Protein metabolism in enduranceand strength athletes

# 19 To salt or not to salt?

# 20 The emerging role of whey proteinin antioxidant and glycaemic regulation

# 21 Whey Protein and caseinates:Different Physiological Advantages

CONCLUSIONCow’s milk, and particularly proteins of milk, belongs

to the first allergen of food, which manifested itself by

atopic dermatitis for instance. However, some macro and

micro-nutrients from milk demonstrate a real effectiveness

against some skin disorders. Vitamins and minerals play an

important role in skin health and some of them are used totreat some skin disorders, as for instance vitamins B9 and

B12, in combination, against vitiligo or zinc and acne.

Milk is also a source of proteins and peptides. Indeed; some

milk’s peptides are able to attenuate stress, which is one

of the risk factors of skin disorders. Then, lactoferrin and

alpha-lactalbumin demonstrated a certain efficiency against

Herpes simplex virus-1 and -2 and cutaneous papilloma

virus respectively. In addition to anti-viral and anti-fungal

actions, the milk peptides and proteins have anti-microbial

action, as for instance lactoferrin. Another important

application is the relief of the psoriasis symptoms with a

whey protein fraction enriched with growth factors. The

last application presented is the wound healing action of

mitogenic bovine whey extract on people suffering fromchronic leg ulcers.

The second macronutrient presented was the milk

phospholipids. At this moment, only one study showed the

interest of milk phospholipids for different health

applications. But, as for proteins and peptides, there could

be many beneficial effects to be identified for skin disorders.

MAIN REFERENCESKim JH, Desor D, Kim YT, Yoon WJ, Kim KS, Jun JS, Pyun KH, Shim I. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 Apr;61(4):536-41.

Markus CR, Olivier B, de Haan EH. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jun;75(6):1051-6.

Markus CR, Olivier B, Panhuysen GE, Van Der Gugten J, Alles MS, Tuiten A, Westenberg HG, Fekkes D, Koppeschaar HF,

de Haan EE. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jun;71(6):1536-44.

Merens W, Booij L, Markus R, Zitman FG, Onkenhout W, Van der Does AJ. Br J Nutr. 2005 Sep;94(3):415-22.

Messaoudi M, Lefranc-Millot C, Desor D, Demagny B, Bourdon L. Eur J Nutr. 2005 Mar;44(2):128-32.

Scrutton H, Carbonnier A, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ. J Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jul;21(5):519-24.

Gustafsson L., Leijonhufvud I, Aronsson A, Mossberg AK, Svanborg C. N Engl J Med. 2004 Jun 24;350(26):2663-72.

Comment in: N Engl J Med. 2004 Jun 24;350(26):2639-42. N Engl J Med. 2004 Oct 14;351(16):1692-3; author reply 1692-3.

Drouin R, Moroni O, Cantin K, Juneau C. Altern Med Rev. 2008 Jun;13(2):145-52.

Drouin R, Lamiot E, Cantin K, Gauthier SF, Pouliot Y, Poubelle PE, Juneau C. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2007 Sep;85(9):943-51.

Poulin Y, Bissonnette R, Juneau C, Cantin K, Drouin R, Poubelle PE. J Cutan Med Surg. 2006 Sep-Oct;10(5):241-8.

Poulin Y, Pouliot Y, Lamiot E, Aattouri N, Gauthier SF. J Cutan Med Surg. 2005 Dec;9(6):271-5.

Varelias A, Cowin AJ, Adams D, Harries RH, Cooter RD, Belford DA, Fitridge RA, Rayner TE. Wound Repair Regen. 2006

Jan-Feb;14(1):28-37. Erratum in: Wound Repair Regen. 2007 Jan-Feb;15(1):163.

This journal is published by ARMOR PROTEINES

Director of publication: Bernard FROMAGE

Editor in chief: Simon LEVESQUE

Author: Maggy LEBORDAIS

Co-author: Takashi MIKOGAMI

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