Proline-rich polypeptides (Colostrinin®/COLOCO®) modulate BDNF concentration in blood affecting cognitive function in adults: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study

Proline-rich polypeptides (PRPs complex also known as COLOCO (R), Colostrinin((R))) consist of low-molecular weight peptides ranging up to 10 kDa, isolated from the bovine colostrum obtained up to 48 h postpartum. PRPs have been shown to affect processes involved in inflammation, brain aging, and neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Colostrinin((R)) (COLOCO (R)) on the cognitive abilities of healthy volunteers in three different age groups using the CANTAB tool in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. BDNF serum level was used as a physicochemical marker of improvement of the cognitive skills. Three hundred and sixty-one healthy volunteers were divided into three study groups aged 18-24, 25-54, and 55-75; each group was then divided into two subgroups which took either placebo or tested lozenge with 120 mu g of PRPs for the period of 4 months. The CANTAB battery test was used to measure the efficacy of PRP in the context of cognitive functioning. After the treatment with COLOCO (R), we observed differences within MoCA score in the oldest patients, improvement in DMS and drop in PAL scores within the youngest group, drop in RTI and improvement in RVP scores within the middle-aged group. It was observed that serum BDNF level increased in all study groups which confirms cognitive improvement. In conclusion, we have shown that Colostrinin((R)) exhibits cognitive enhancing effects, probably through the modulation of BDNF concentrations.