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Research on donkey milk · Study 36
Donkey milk fractions in a cell experiment
In 2009, Mao et al. separated donkey milk into components in the laboratory and tested how these act on a human lung tumour cell line (A549) and on mouse immune cells.
What it's about
Milk in its individual parts
Instead of whole milk, a research team from China examined individual fractions – groups of components separated in the laboratory according to properties such as molecular size.
The researchers applied these fractions to A549 cells, a cell line from human lung tumour tissue widely used in basic research. Viability, cell cycle and cell death were measured.
In a second approach, they tested whether mouse immune cells release messengers after contact with the most active fraction, which in turn act on the cells.
What exactly was studied?
Briefly explained
The terms used in this study
A part of the milk separated in the laboratory according to certain properties – here, among other things, by molecular size.
A cell line from human lung tumour tissue that has been used for laboratory experiments for decades.
The sequence of phases (G0/G1, S, G2/M) that a cell goes through until it divides.
A protein that occurs in donkey milk in comparatively high amounts.
Donkey milk was broken down into several fractions in the laboratory.
The fractions were applied to A549 cells at different concentrations.
Viability, cell cycle and cell death were measured.
Mouse spleen cells were stimulated with fraction IV, and their culture medium was applied to the cells.
Interactive · The data at a glance
Four fractions, two routes
How was the experiment run, which fraction stood out, what happened in the cell cycle – and what role did immune cells play? Switch between the views.
- G0/G1 phasemore cells paused before duplicating their DNA
- G2/M phasemore cells paused before dividing
- Cell deathmainly by apoptosis according to the authors
Illustration of the findings reported in the abstract of the original publication. Concentrations and measured values are not given there; the graphics are schematic.
Key findings
What the researchers report
Fraction IV most active
whey protein · > 10 kDaThe active fractions reduced the viability of the A549 cells depending on dose and time. Fraction IV, a whey protein fraction with larger molecules, had the strongest effect.
Cells paused
G0/G1 · G2/M · apoptosisAfter contact with fraction IV, more cells accumulated in two resting phases of the cell cycle. The authors attribute cell death mainly to apoptosis.
Detour via immune cells
5 messengers ↑Mouse spleen cells released more messengers after contact with fraction IV. Their culture medium had a stronger effect on the A549 cells than fraction IV alone.
The authors suspect that the high lysozyme content of fraction IV contributes to the findings. The results come from cell cultures and do not allow any statement about the prevention or treatment of cancer in humans.
Critical assessment
Basic research – nothing more
What the study shows
What it does not show
Research question for DON DONKEY’S®
How much lysozyme is in our milk?
The authors refer to the lysozyme content of the whey protein fraction. For us, this is a prompt to have the lysozyme content of our fresh milk and our powder measured regularly.
Original publication
Anti-proliferative and anti-tumour effect of active components in donkey milk on A549 human lung cancer cells
Mao X., Gu J., Sun Y., Xu S., Zhang X., Yang H., Ren F.
International Dairy Journal · 2009 · 19(11):703–708
DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2009.05.007
Abstract: AGRIS (FAO)
The publication describes cell experiments. It does not allow any product-related statement for DON DONKEY’S® or any statement about cancer in humans.