The protein nutritive value of anchovy, mackerel and canned sardine samples together with casein as a reference formulation were evaluated. Proximate composition, protein quality and protein digestibility were determined. Procedures for evaluation included Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) using the rat bioassay and in vivo Apparent Digestibility (AD). Rats fed with canned sardine diet had the highest mean body weight (154.8±12.28g) while rats fed with anchovy diet had the lowest mean body weight (145.27±15.89g) with significant differences between all the groups. Mean body weight of rats fed with selected fish diet was higher compared to rats fed with casein diet. For PER value, canned sardine has the highest value (2.48), followed by anchovy (2.46) and mackerel (2.34). PER value for all selected fish is lower than that for casein (3.14). Mackerel had the highest value of in vivo AD (96.99%), followed by casein (96.96%), canned sardine (96.88%) and anchovy (91.29%). In conclusion, among the types of fish compared, sardine had the highest protein quality while mackerel showed the highest digestibility.
Proteins ; Diet ; Caseins ; Protein measurement ; Rattus norvegicus

PURPOSE: Cow's milk-specific IgE (CM-IgE) has been proposed as one of the valuable markers for diagnosis of clinical cow's milk (CM) allergy. In this study, we evaluated the additional usefulness of casein-specific IgE (casein-IgE) and IgG (casein-IgG) for the diagnosis of clinical CM allergy. METHODS: Fifty-eight subjects, aged from 3 months to 154 months, were enrolled. Thirty-four patients showed immediate-type of clinical CM allergy, and 24 patients were atopic controls. The serum levels of CM-IgE, casein-IgE, and casein-IgG were measured. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those aged under 12 months and those aged 12 months or over. The diagnostic values of each antibody were analyzed and compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: CM allergy had significantly higher levels of CM-IgE and casein-IgE, and lower levels of casein-IgG/IgE ratio when compared to atopic controls in both age groups (P<0.05). CM-IgE and casein-IgE were shown to be better predictive markers for immediate-type CM allergy in patients under 12 months, while casein-IgG/IgE ratio was a more useful marker in those aged 12 months or over. Considering 100% positive predictive values, cutoff points were 1.04 kU/L for CM-IgE, 0.11 kU/L for casein-IgE, 19.5 for casein-IgG/IgE ratio in patients aged under 12 months, and 7.1 kU/L for CM-IgE, 1.41 kU/L for casein-IgE, 12.51 for casein-IgG/IgE ratio in those aged 12 months or over. CONCLUSION: CM-IgE, casein-IgE, and casein-IgG/IgE ratio are useful markers for predicting immediate-type CM allergy. Further studies are needed on diagnostic decision points for CM allergy using combination of cutoff values of these 3 markers.
Anaphylaxis ; Antibodies* ; Caseins* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Immunoglobulin G* ; Milk ; Milk Hypersensitivity* ; ROC Curve

BACKGROUND: About 70-80% of children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) become outgrown clinically by the age of 3 years. Casein, one of the three major cow's milk proteins (casein, beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), alpha-lactoalbumin (ALA) ) has been reported to play an important role in the persistence of CMA. The aim of this study was to determine different effects of causative milk proteins on the persistence of CMA between two age groups. METHODS: A total of 65 patients with CMA were enrolled in this study. Their cow's milk-specific IgEs were positive ( 0.7 U/ml by Pharmacia CAP). After dividing 65 patients into two age groups, under the age of 3 years and over 3 years (persistent CMA), we compared the levels of casein-, BLG- and ALA-specific IgE antibodies between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 44 patients in the group of less than 3 years of age and 21 patients in the group of more than 3 years of age. The concentrations of the specific IgE antibodies to casein, BLG and ALA were not significantly different between the two groups. However, although statistically insignificant, those more than 3 years of age had higher mean values of casein-specific IgE antibodies and lower mean values of whey protein (BLG and ALA) - specific IgE antibodies compared with those less than 3 years of age. A single dominant allergenic milk protein was not identified within either of the two age groups, but the con centrations of the casein-specific IgE antibodies in children with more than 3 years of age tended to be higher than those of whey protein-specific IgE antibodies. CONCLUSION: Although statistically insignificant, the concentrations of the casein-specific IgE antibodies were higher in the group of more than 3 years of age than in the younger group. Moreover, the concentrations of the casein-specific IgE antibodies in children more than 3 years of age tended to be higher than those of whey proteins. These findings implicate that casein plays a certain role in the persistence of CMA.
Antibodies ; Caseins ; Child* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Lactoglobulins ; Milk Hypersensitivity* ; Milk Proteins ; Milk* ; Whey Proteins

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of fluoridated, casein phosphopeptide.amorphous calcium phosphate complex (CPP-ACP)-containing, and functionalized beta-tricalcium phosphate (fTCP)-containing toothpastes on remineralization of white spot lesions (WSLs) by using Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF-D) Biluminator(TM) 2. METHODS: Forty-eight premolars, extracted for orthodontic reasons from 12 patients, with artificially induced WSLs were randomly and equally assigned to four treatment groups: fluoride (1,000 ppm), CPP-ACP, fTCP (with sodium fluoride), and control (deionized water) groups. Specimens were treated twice daily for 2 weeks and stored in saliva solution (1:1 mixture of artificial and human stimulated saliva) otherwise. QLF-D Biluminator(TM) 2 was used to measure changes in fluorescence, indicating alterations in the mineral contents of the WSLs, immediately before and after the 2 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Fluorescence greatly increased in the fTCP and CPP-ACP groups compared with the fluoride and control groups, which did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: fTCP- and CPP-ACP-containing toothpastes seem to be more effective in reducing WSLs than 1,000-ppm fluoride-containing toothpastes.
Bicuspid ; Calcium ; Caseins ; Dental Caries* ; Fluorescence ; Fluorides ; Humans ; Saliva ; Sodium ; Toothpastes*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the remineralization effect of CPP-ACP, NaF, bamboo salt and NaF+bamboo salt solutions on bovine incipient artificial enamel caries by microcomputed tomography (micro CT). METHODS: Specimens were prepared from extracted bovine teeth and immersed in a demineralizing solution for 72 h. Specimens were divided into five groups of five specimens each by randomized blocks according to surface microhardness (VHN) and mineral density. The specimens were each treated by one of the following agents for 24 h: distilled water, 2% sodium fluoride solution (2% NaF group), 3% bamboo salt solution (3% BS group), and a solution of 2% sodium fluoride solution and 3% bamboo salt solution mixed together (2% NaF+3% BS group) and 1% CPP-ACP solution. After this, the specimens were immersed in artificial saliva for 15 and 30 days. After 15 days and 30 days treatment, VHN and mineral density values (g/cm3) were measured and analysed. Mineral density values were obtained using micro CT. RESULTS: Mineral density and VHN of the five groups according to the immersion period in artificial saliva showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05). In mineral density and VHN, the values of the 2% NaF+3% BS group were significantly higher than those of the other groups, and there were no significant differences among the 2% NaF, 3% BS, CPP-ACP groups after 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: Bamboo salt showed a similar remineralization pattern to CPP-ACP on an incipient artificial enamel caries lesion. Thus, bamboo salt (like CPP-ACP) can act as a remineralization agent for subsurface lesions of incipient enamel caries.
Caseins ; Dental Enamel ; Immersion ; Saliva, Artificial ; Sodium ; Sodium Fluoride ; Tooth ; Water ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate fluoride release and the micro-shear bond strength of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) in casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-remineralized caries-affected dentin (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Exposed dentin surfaces of 30 human third molar teeth were divided into 2 equal groups for evaluating fluoride release and the micro-shear bond strength of RMGIC to CAD. Each group was subdivided into 3 equal subgroups: 1) control (sound dentin); 2) artificially demineralized dentin (CAD); 3) CPP-ACP remineralized dentin (remineralized CAD). To measure fluoride release, 15 disc-shaped specimens of RMGIC (4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness) were bonded on one flat surface of the dentin discs of each group. Fluoride release was tested using ion chromatography at different intervals; 24 hours, 3, 5, 7 days. RMGIC micro-cylinders were built on the flat dentin surface of the 15 discs, which were prepared according to the assigned group. Micro-shear bond strength was measured after 24 hours water storage. Data were analyzed using 1- and 2-way analysis of variance and the post hoc least significant difference test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Fluoride detected in solutions (at all intervals) and the micro-shear bond strength of RMGIC bonded to CPP-ACP-remineralized dentin were significantly higher than those bonded to artificial CAD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Demineralized CAD consumes more fluoride released from RMGIC into the solution for remineralization than CPP-ACP mineralized dentin does. CPP-ACP increases the micro-shear bond strength of RMGIC to CAD.
Calcium* ; Caseins* ; Chromatography ; Dentin* ; Fluorides* ; Glass Ionomer Cements* ; Glass* ; Humans ; Miners ; Molar, Third ; Tooth ; Water

PURPOSE: Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) is expected to provide additional diagnostic information in allergic patients. PROTIA™ Allergy-Q 64 Atopy®, a recently developed CRD-based multiplex specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) assay, can quantitatively measure sIgE to major allergen components. METHODS: The sIgE detection by PROTIA™ Allergy-Q 64 Atopy® and ImmunoCAP® assays was compared using the sera of 125 Korean allergic patients. Group 1 and 2 allergens of house dust mites (HDMs; Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) 1 and Der f 2 in PROTIA™ Allergy-Q 64 Atopy®, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) 1 and Der p 2 in ImmunoCAP®), Bet v 1, Fel d 1, Que a 1, ω-5 gliadin, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin, casein and α-Gal were measured by both assays. RESULTS: Comparing the results from the 2 assays, the agreement rate for all the 10 allergens was > 88% (group 1 HDM allergen, 100%; group 2 HDM allergen, 94.6%; Bet v 1, 97.4%; Fel d 1, 90.5%; Que a 1, 89.2%; α-lactalbumin, 96%; β-lactoglobulin, 88%; casein, 88%; ω-5 gliadin, 96%; α-Gal, 100%). Correlation analysis indicated that, all the 10 allergen sIgEs showed more than moderate positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficients > 0.640). Additionally, intra-class comparison showed more than high correlation for all the 10 allergens (Spearman's rank correlation coefficients > 0.743). CONCLUSIONS: PROTIA™ Allergy-Q 64 Atopy® is reliable and comparable to the ImmunoCAP® assay for component-resolved diagnosis.
Allergens ; Caseins ; Dermatophagoides farinae ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Diagnosis ; Gliadin ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Pyroglyphidae

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk (CM) is one of the most common food allergens in children with atopic dermatitis (AD), and the component-specific immunoglobulin E (component-IgE) measurement has recently become available. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the sensitization patterns to CM and 3 major components and their clinical values in young Korean children with AD. METHODS: Cow's milk-specific IgE (CM-IgE), α-lactalbumin-specific IgE (ALA-IgE), β-lactoglobulin-specific IgE (BLG-IgE), and casein-specific IgE (Cas-IgE) levels from the sera of patients with AD were measured using the UniCAP™ system (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sweden) and collected from January 2004 to December 2010. Patients ≥ 4 years of age were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 950 patients diagnosed with AD were ultimately enrolled in the study. Among them, 471 (49.6%) patients were sensitized to CM (CM-IgE[+], > 0.35 kU/L). Sensitization to casein (n = 349, 74.1%) was most common, followed by ALA (n = 283, 60.1%), and BLG (n = 245, 52.5%). Meanwhile, 95 patients had at least 2 follow-up tests. Eighty (84.2%) of these patients tested positive to CM, and the casein sensitization rate was the highest (n = 65, 81.3%). In addition, 479 (50.4%) patients were not sensitized to CM (CM-IgE[-], ≤ 0.35 kU/L) but 35 (7.3%) patients were sensitized to at least one component. Among them, a telephone survey was accessible in 21 cases. A total of 8 (38.1%) patients still suffered from adverse reactions after consuming milk and/or dairy foods. CONCLUSION: Casein was the most commonly and persistently sensitized component in CM-IgE(+) children with AD. Measuring CM component IgE antibodies, especially Cas-IgE, is helpful for evaluating problematic allergens in young children with AD.
Allergens ; Antibodies ; Caseins ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Milk ; Telephone

Food allergy is common in children and young adults and may be difficult to diagnose and is at present treated with avoidance of the food in question. The aim of this report is to share our clinical experiences monitoring omalizumab treatment by basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD-sens. Five children, 6-16 years of age, with a severe milk allergy including episodes of anaphylaxis and IgE-antibodies, between 30 and 160 kU(A)/L to casein and alpha-lactalbumin (milk proteins), were treated with omalizumab. CD-sens, was tested prior to and after 4 months of omalizumab and if turned negative, it was followed by an oral milk challenge. All children became negative in CD-sens and had a negative milk challenge, but one child required doubling of the omalizumab dose to achieve a negative CD-sens before a challenge was done. Omalizumab appears useful in treatment of severe food allergy, e.g., anaphylaxis to milk, and CD-sens monitoring may decide when and how to perform a food challenge.
Anaphylaxis ; Basophils ; Caseins ; Child ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Humans ; Lactalbumin ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; Milk ; Omalizumab ; Young Adult

We investigated whether betulin affects the gene expression, secretion and proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in primary cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes, as well as in vivo production of MMP-3 in the rat knee joint to evaluate the potential chondroprotective effect of betulin. Rabbit articular chondrocytes were cultured and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), ADAMTS-5 and type II collagen. Effect of betulin on IL-1β-induced secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3 was investigated using western blot analysis and casein zymography, respectively. Effect of betulin on MMP-3 protein production was also examined in vivo. The results were as follows: (1) betulin inhibited the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-1, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5, but increased the gene expression of type II collagen; (2) betulin inhibited the secretion and proteolytic activity of MMP-3; (3) betulin suppressed the production of MMP-3 protein in vivo. These results suggest that betulin can regulate the gene expression, secretion, and proteolytic activity of MMP-3, by directly acting on articular chondrocytes.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Caseins ; Chondrocytes* ; Collagen Type II ; Gene Expression* ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Rats* ; Thrombospondins