Anxiolytic-like effects of milk proteins

Milk varieties and specific proteins exhibit anxiolytic-like actions in mice and rats exposed to several tests, the most prominent being the elevated plus-maze. Administrations of alpha s1-casein, its 91-100 (alpha-casozepine), 91-97, 91-93, and 91-92 fragments, the 60-69 fragment of 8-casein, lactoferrin, 8-lactotensin, wheylin-1, wheylin-2, and alpha-lactalbumin have been reported to increase open arm exploration relative to enclosed arm exploration. Anxiolytic-like actions have also been described for 91-93 and 91-92 fragments of alpha s1-casein, wheylin-1, alpha-lactalbumin, and lactoferrin in the open-field. Some effects appear to be mediated by the GABAA receptor complex, since antagonists mitigated the anxiolytic-like actions of alpha s1-casein, the 91-92 fragment of alpha s1-casein, and wheylin-1. Other neurotransmitters purported to affect such behaviors include 5HT, dopamine, and neurotensin. Further research is needed to identify their neuropharmacological actions.