mark <mark.haynes at mail.tju.edu> wrote:
>OKAY already! but what are the price differentials?
Last I checked, something like $24-40 for 900 grams of some products
and something like $180 for Immunocal. I think $24 is too damn much
but at least it's more reasonable.
>What are the
>properties that whey proteins have vis a vis immune status? Is it
>adjuvant related? Macrophage related?
Neither, really. Whey contains a good deal of cysteine which is a
precursor to glutathione. In the oxidatively stressed environment of a
viral infection in vivo, the glutathione gets wiped out. Researchers
at Stanford (not the whey people) have correlated, for example, an
accelerated progression to AIDS in those with low glutathione levels.
Hepatitis C virus also tends to wipe out glutathione stores and
advance disease.
The proteins may have other properties or uses. Part of the claims
being made by Immunocal people are based on clinical research (which
is great but doesn't justify price gouging). The data are based on
small studies. One was in kids with HIV conducted at Montreal
Children's Hospital and showed improvements in intracellular
glutathione levels as well as improved weight gain.
Immunologically, I think you might find in co-culture systems
variations in outcome based on the GSH/GSSG balance and the redox
state. Increased apoptosis in uninfected T cells? (Especially if the
APC was an HIV-infected macrophage?) Others could comment?
Anywhey (oops), I think whey proteins are a useful and tasty source of
protein and it makes a great deal of sense for a lot of reasons. But
it doesn't have to cost that much. (Partly price increased by
multi-level marketing schemes. Off to Albania with them!!)
George M. Carter
