Chemical composition, physical properties, and immunomodulating study of mare’s milk of the Adaev horse breed from Kazakhstan.
Abstract: Mare's milk is recognized for its nutritional and immunomodulatory properties, making it a promising functional food. Furthermore, mare's milk is characterized by anti-carcinogenic and antiviral attributes, which have incited considerable scientific inquiry. This study investigates the chemical composition, immune-modulating effects, and physiological impact of Adaev horse milk supplementation in a -infected Wistar rat model. Eighteen male rats were divided into three groups: a control group (GC-1) receiving standard chow, a low-dose supplementation group (LDM-2) receiving 0.1 g of lyophilized mare's milk, and a high-dose group (HDM-3) receiving 1.5 g of lyophilized mare's milk. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that Adaev horse milk is rich in whey proteins and has lower casein content, enhancing protein digestibility and bioavailability. HILIC-MS identified key sialylated oligosaccharides [lactose, 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL), 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL), 3'-α-sialyl-N-acetyllactosamine (3'SLN), sialyllacto-N-tetraose a (LSTa), sialyllacto-N-tetraose b (LSTb), and sialyllacto-N-tetraose c (LSTc)], suggesting potential prebiotic and immunomodulatory effects. Blood serum analysis demonstrated increased total protein levels in supplemented groups, with significant alterations in albumin/globulin ratios, creatinine, and enzyme activity. Histological examination of lung tissues indicated that high-dose supplementation reduced inflammatory damage, improved tissue integrity, and enhanced immune recovery. These findings suggest that Adaev horse milk supplementation modulates immune responses, improves metabolic and hematological parameters, and mitigates pneumonia-induced tissue damage, highlighting its potential as a functional dietary supplement with immunotherapeutic benefits.
Copyright © 2025 Kossaliyeva, Rysbekuly, Zhaparkulova, Kozykan, Li, Serikbayeva, Shynykul, Zhaparkulova and Yessimsiitova.
Publication Date: 2025-04-28 PubMed ID: 40357039PubMed Central: PMC12066533DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1443031Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research study examines the immune-enhancing and nutritional benefits of the milk produced by the Adaev horse breed in Kazakhstan. The study specifically evaluated how the milk influenced the health and immunity of rats infected with a particular pathogen.
Methodology
- The researchers used 18 male rats infected with an unidentified pathogen for the study. These rats were split into three groups, with each group getting a different diet. The first group (GC-1) served as a control and received standard rodent food, the second group (LDM-2) received 0.1 grams of freeze-dried (lyophilized) Adaev mare’s milk, and the third group (HDM-3) received 1.5 grams of the same type of milk.
Analysis of Milk
- The team applied SDS-PAGE, a common technique for protein analysis, to ascertain the protein composition of Adaev horse milk. The milk proved to be rich in whey proteins and had lower levels of casein, indicating that it is highly digestible and bioaccessible.
- The researchers also used Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (HILIC-MS) to examine the milk’s sugar content. They discovered sialylated oligosaccharides (complex sugars), hinting at potential prebiotic and immune-enhancing effects.
Results and Findings
- Blood serum tests performed on the rats showed a rise in total protein levels in the groups provided with Adaev mare’s milk. Notable changes also happened in albumin to globulin ratios, creatinine levels, and enzyme activity.
- The team performed a histological (microscopic) study of lung tissues in the rats. They found that the rats getting a high dose of Adaev mare’s milk had reduced inflammatory damage, improved tissue structure, and enhanced immune recovery compared to the other groups.
Conclusions
- Through the results, the study demonstrated that supplementation with Adaev horse milk has a positive impact on immune response, metabolic and hematological (blood-related) parameters, and has the capacity to lessen damage induced by pneumonia.
- The findings from this research position Adaev horse milk as a potential functional dietary supplement with benefits for immune therapy.
Cite This Article
APA
Kossaliyeva G, Rysbekuly K, Zhaparkulova K, Kozykan S, Li J, Serikbayeva A, Shynykul Z, Zhaparkulova M, Yessimsiitova Z.
(2025).
Chemical composition, physical properties, and immunomodulating study of mare’s milk of the Adaev horse breed from Kazakhstan.
Front Nutr, 12, 1443031.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2025.1443031 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang, China.
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- School of Pharmacy, S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Department of the Technology of Food Products and Food Safety, Faculty of the Zooengineering and Food Production Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang, China.
- Department of the Technology of Food Products and Food Safety, Faculty of the Zooengineering and Food Production Technology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Higher School of Medicine, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Pulmonary Therapy Department, National Scientific Center of Phthisiopulmonology, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
- Department Biodiversity and Bioresources, al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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