An animal model of the procognitive properties of cysteine protease inhibitor and immunomodulatory peptides based on colostrum.

BACKGROUND: The positive effect of human cystatin C on the development of Alzheimer's disease has been reported, as it inhibits the formation of ß-amyloid oligomers and amyloidogenesis. Cystatin C has been found to have a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting cysteine proteases, inducing autophagy and neurogenesis. There is a growing interest in the procognitive properties of colostrum-based specimens, which could delay dementia and ameliorate memory deterioration. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of ovocystatin and a Coloco peptide complex on the cognitive functions in reference to Colostrinin, using a model of young (4 month-old) and old (10-month-old) Wistar rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study, the effects of ovocystatin [100 µg/rat] and the Coloco peptide [4 µg/rat]derived from colostrum were assessed with respect to the reference specimen, Colostrinin [4 µg/rat]. The specimens were administered intraperitoneally and orally for 12 days. Cognitive functions were assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM). RESULTS: The group of young rats that received ovocystatin orally obtained significantly better results in the MWM compared to the placebo group (p < 0.05). Similarly, the group of young rats receiving Coloco orally obtained better results in the MWM compared to the placebo group and to the group of rats receiving Colostrinin (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the oral and intraperitoneal administration of ovocystatin, Coloco and Colostrinin in the group of old rats. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that oral administration of ovocystatin and Coloco has beneficial effects on the cognitive functions of young rats.

Pro-Cognitive Properties of the Immunomodulatory Polypeptide Complex, Yolkin, from Chicken Egg Yolk and Colostrum-Derived Substances: Analyses Based on Animal Model of Age-Related Cognitive Deficits.

The study aimed to assess the effect of the polypeptide Y complex (Yolkin), isolated from chicken egg yolk, on behavioural and cognitive functions. It also aimed to compare this activity with colostrum-derived substances (Colostrinin, Coloco), which have a confirmed impact on learning and memory. In the study, the effect of Yolkin, administered to rats of different ages, who performed various tasks involving spatial and episodic memory, motor functions and exploratory behavior, was assessed. The experiment was carried out in rats which were 6 and 12 months old. Two different doses of the studied specimens based on previous comparative studies and two different routes of administration (oral and retroperitoneal) were used. A series of behavioural tests were carried out, including an open field test, a novel object recognition test and a Morris water maze. They were used to evaluate the impact of the studied specimen on improving locomotor function and exploratory behaviour, preventing their decline and assess the functioning of episodic and spatial memory in aging rats. The administration of Yolkin gave distinct effects compared to colostrum-derived substances, although confirmed its suggested pro-cognitive action. Therefore, it may be used to enhance cognitive functions and inhibit the progression of dementia in the course of neurodegenerative disorders.