T h o m a s H a i d e r, Ve r o n i k a L e i c h t f r i e d , C l a u d i a M ö l l e r, G e o r g H o f f m a n n , Wo l f g a n g S c h o b e r s b e r g e r, R o b e r t K o c h , M a r t i n B u r t s c h e r
Bovines Colostrum zur Prophylaxe gastrointestinaler Infekte Eine randomisierte, doppelblinde, Placebo kontrollierte Pilot-Feldstudie an HöhenbergsteigerInnen während einer 3-wöchigen Ski-Expedition zum Muztagh Ata (7.456m) Bovine Colostrum as prophlylaxis against gastrointestinal infections S U M M A RY Gastrointestinal infections are frequently reported in high altitude mountaineers and trekkers. Although the reason for this observation is not yet clear, it is conceivable that an accumulation of various environmental, socio-cultural, and psychological stressors that occur along those kinds of mountain activities may compromise defence mechanisms of the human immune system. Bovine Colostrum (BC), the early milk produced by cows during the first several days post-parturition, differs substantially from mature milk by higher amounts of immunoglobulins, growth factors, cytokines, and nucleosides. BC protects the newborn calf from opportunistic infections and facilitates its growth, and it may therefore also protect humans against infectious diseases. In fact, an increasing amount of recent scientific studies suggest such an immune supportive effect of orally applied BC. In 25 healthy and well-trained high altitude mountaineers we performed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test if a regular (2 times daily) prophylactic intake of BC during a 3-week ski-expedition is able to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal (GIT-) infections. Actually, in the present study we found a reduced incidence of GIT-infections in the intervention group as compared to the placebo group during the first days in altitude which reaches significance at day 2 in the base camp , while there were no significant differences in AMS-incidence between groups within the same observation period. In conclusion, we suggest that a prophylactic intake of BC may help to reduce the incidence of GIT-infections in high altitude mountaineers and trekkers, but further studies which focus on that issue are needed.
25
