Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and gut permeability responses to exercise

Area of Science:

• Exercise physiology
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Physiological stressors like exercise can damage intestinal cells, potentially increasing gut permeability.
• Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) is a marker of intestinal cell injury.
• Bovine colostrum is investigated for its potential to support gut health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on plasma I-FABP levels and intestinal permeability after exercise.
• To compare these effects against a placebo in a controlled study.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study involving 18 male participants.
• 14 days of supplementation with either bovine colostrum (Col) or placebo (Plac).
• Intestinal permeability assessed via urinary lactulose/rhamnose ratio (L/R); plasma I-FABP measured pre- and post-exercise.

Main Results:

• Both Col and Plac groups showed increased L/R post-exercise, but the increase was significantly lower with Col.
• Plasma I-FABP increased post-exercise in the Plac group but remained unchanged in the Col group.
• Post-exercise I-FABP levels were significantly lower in the Col group compared to Plac.

Conclusions:

• Exercise-induced increases in intestinal permeability are partly due to cellular damage.
• Bovine colostrum supplementation appears to mitigate exercise-induced intestinal cell injury and reduce gut permeability.
• Further research is needed to explore other contributing factors to exercise-induced permeability changes.