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Research on donkey milk · Study 31
Donkey milk powder and the airways
In 2021, Lu et al. examined how donkey milk powder affects the airways and immune system in a mouse model of allergic asthma – at three doses.
What it's about
An allergy model for the lungs
In allergic asthma, the airways are hypersensitive, the mucosa produces more mucus and certain immune cells are overactive. In research this is often reproduced in mice sensitised with the egg-white protein ovalbumin.
A Chinese research team gave the mice donkey milk powder orally at three doses and then examined the airways, lung tissue and immune markers.
In addition, the researchers tested donkey milk on human airway cells in the laboratory.
What exactly was studied?
Briefly explained
The terms used in this study
A protein from egg white. In research it is used to deliberately trigger an allergic airway reaction in mice.
White blood cells that appear in increased numbers in the airways during allergic reactions.
Immunoglobulin E – the antibody that plays a central role in allergies.
A mucus protein of the airways. It is often produced in larger amounts during allergic reactions.
Mice were sensitised to egg-white protein with ovalbumin.
At the same time, they received donkey milk powder orally at one of three doses.
A further dose of ovalbumin triggered the allergic airway reaction.
Airways, lung tissue, lung lavage fluid and blood were examined.
Interactive · The data at a glance
One model, five views
How was the experiment run, which doses were tested – and what changed in the airways, immune system and cells? Switch between the views.
Illustration of the findings reported in the abstract of the original publication. Individual measured values are not given there; the graphics are schematic.
Key findings
What the researchers report
Less hypersensitivity
later onset of symptomsIn the mice given donkey milk powder, the airways were less hypersensitive and the typical signs appeared later. Damage and scarring of the airway mucosa were lower.
Less mucus formation
MUC5AC · goblet cellsLess of the mucus protein MUC5AC accumulated in the lung tissue, and mucus-producing goblet cells increased less. MUC5AC production also fell in human airway cells in the laboratory.
Allergy markers lowered
eosinophils · Th2 · IgEEosinophils and Th2 messengers in the lung lavage as well as IgE in the blood were lower. The activity of the inflammatory switch NF-κB was dampened.
The authors speak of "preventive effects" in the mouse model. The results come from an artificially induced animal model and cannot be transferred to humans.
Critical assessment
A signal in the animal model
What the study shows
What it does not show
Research question for DON DONKEY’S®
What distinguishes powder from fresh milk?
The study worked with donkey milk powder. For us, this is a prompt to compare the components of our fresh milk and our powder more closely.
Original publication
Preventive effects of donkey milk powder on the ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice
Lu Y., Zhou Y., Lin Y., Li W., Tian S., Hao X., Guo H.
Journal of Functional Foods · 2021 · 84:104603
DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104603
Abstract: DOAJ
The publication describes an animal model and cell experiments with donkey milk powder. It does not allow any product-related statement for DON DONKEY’S®.
From our shop
DON DONKEY’S® donkey milk
100 % donkey milk · raw milk, frozen
On this page we report the findings of a published study. Independently of that, you will find our donkey milk here: 100 % donkey milk, frozen as raw milk.
100 ml bottle / 100ml · Unit price: €249,00 / 1 l · incl. VAT, plus shipping
Also in our shop
Donkey Milk Powder
Donkey milk in powder form
For anyone who prefers a longer shelf life: our donkey milk in powder form – easy to store and portion.
20g · Unit price: €1.245,00 / 1 kg · incl. VAT, plus shipping