4.3. How Colostrum Use May Prevent the URTIs
infection, viral infection, URTIs, infections
VIRUS, DISEASE, VIRAL INFECTION, INFECTIONS, INFECTION, SECONDARY, CYTOTOXICITY
Many experiments, of both in vitro and in vivo types, have demonstrated various influences of colostrum or its components on individual immune system elements, which may translate into a boosting of the anti-infectious resistance [The absolute majority of URTIs, even exceeding 90% of all cases, is of viral origin [There are two types of adaptive immune responses involved in antiviral reactions: the usually initiating antiviral adaptive response is cellular cytotoxicity based on the action of CD8+ T cells, and the humoral response depends on the cooperation of CD4+ T-cells and B cells. The antibodies produced by plasma cells (the most mature form of B cells) against viral antigens are the most abundant and are therefore a highly effective tool for neutralizing viruses in both antiviral prevention and terminating the active viral infections. Regarding the above, it can be assumed that the effective prevention of URTIs due to colostrum supplementation should be attributed to adaptive immunity, which has been partly confirmed by the literature reporting on the effectiveness of colostrum and its individual components on the modulation of the adaptive immune system [The antiviral action of adaptive immunity requires prior immunization against antigens of the particular pathogen. Such a process can happen via several modes of action: (1) immune reaction during active infection with some novel virus, (2) natural contact with viral antigens available in the environment in non-infectious form and (3) medicinal vaccination with viral antigens. The effective protection by the immune system (especially antibodies) can be obtained usually between 5 and 7 days from the first immunogenic contact with the virus. This time is required to develop the primary immune response, and before the process is complete, the infection develops with little obstacles, and its course depends mostly on the general fitness of the patient and relatively limited actions of natural immunity. What can potentially be improved by colostrum supplementation in such a case is the ability of the immune system to produce a primary immune response as quickly as possible. Various components of colostrum have been found to positively modify the development and efficiency of adaptive immunity [The time required for the immune-response development can be largely decreased when the patient has immunogenic contact with a particular viral antigen prior to contracting it in infectious form. In such a case, the effective response may develop even within 2–3 days and is called a secondary immune response. This is obtained either over the course of a previous infection with a particular virus or alternatively due to natural, as well as medicinal, vaccination, and it may lead to a shorter and milder course of disease. Natural vaccination is most commonly a case of ingesting the inactivated viral antigens, followed by an immunization process happening within the intestinal immune system, which is based mostly on Peyer’s patches [The highest level of protection from adaptive immunity, which practically eliminates the possibility of developing the disease, is achieved when the concentration of specific antiviral immunoglobulins in the blood serum and other body fluids is high enough. Such a protection from viral infection usually lasts for several months to a year from the last effective immunization. This implies that in order to remain free of the broad range of infections, regular contact with stimulating antigens of a wide variety needs to be maintained continuously. Because this contact occurs mostly with ingested antigens, it is necessary to constantly maintain intestinal homeostasis, in addition to ensuring the overall efficiency of the immune system in general terms.Colostrum has been repeatedly proven to be among the most efficient products capable of restoring and maintaining intestinal homeostasis [Supplementation with colostrum may have one more beneficial effect, which is a positive influence on the general fitness. This is obtained partly through improving the function of the digestive tract, which allows for better nutritional status. Furthermore, although colostrum itself is of limited nutritional value, especially in small supplementation doses, it contains all extrinsic amino acids, as well as a relatively high concentration of several vitamins, minerals and other microelements. This may help to replenish the body’s resources. Several of those supplementary elements are also known to help improve the immune system’s status [