The findings from the present study suggest that casein-derived
peptides may exert specific antioxidant and immunomodulatory
effects on cells in culture. The different bioactive effects of the eight
casein hydroysates may be attributed, in part, to differences in the
enzyme preparations used for their production but not to protein
content. In vivo the specific interaction of the casein hydrolysates
with IL-2 might prove useful in modulating dysregulated immune
responses as well as in the treatment of various immune processes
(Zidek,1999) such as chronic viral infections (Blattman et al., 2003).
On the other hand, novel agents that influence IL-2 levels, which
have been developed primarily for targeting other pathophysiological
states (i.e., improved antioxidant status), should be carefully
monitored for possible unwanted immune involvement (Zidek,
1999). Therefore, additional investigation to confirm the antioxidant
activity and Th1 enhancing effects of these eight distinct
casein hydrolysates is warranted.
