Evaluation of an anti-inflammatory factor derived from hyperimmunized cows.

An anti-inflammatory factor isolated from milk of hyperimmunized cows was analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Macrophages collected from lacteal secretions of a unimmunized nonlactating cow showed increased ability to kill phagocytosed Staphylococcus aureus when incubated with the anti-inflammatory factor. Mice injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg of anti-inflammatory factor demonstrated an increased LD50 to S. aureus when challenged intraperitoneally. Injected mice also demonstrated significantly (P less than 0.05) less mammary inflammation and involution and increased clearance of S. aureus when challenged intramammarily. Quantitative histologic analysis of mammary tissues from mice injected with anti-inflammatory factor demonstrated significantly (P less than 0.05) more lumen, less interalveolar connective tissue, and less leukocytic infiltration compared with control mice. Mammary glands of mice injected with anti-inflammatory factor and challenged with S. aureus also contained fewer colony-forming units than control mice. The product appeared to exert its effect on the nonspecific defense system via modulation of leukocyte function.