JERUSALEM, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli scientists have discovered a special property in breast milk that helps it move easily from the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream, the Israel Institute of Technology said on Sunday.
This discovery, reported in the Journal of Controlled Release, could pave the way for new oral medications, including antibodies, proteins like insulin, and even vaccines for COVID-19 and the flu. Currently, these medications are often given by injection.
The researchers were interested in finding ways to take vaccines and medications orally, and they looked to breast milk for inspiration. Breast milk is a complex fluid packed with beneficial components like enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and lipids. These are crucial for a newborn's brain development, immune system, and digestion.
For these components to work, they must pass through the intestinal barrier, a protective layer in the gut that separates it from the bloodstream. This barrier, made up of cells and mucus, acts like a filter, blocking harmful substances while letting nutrients through.
The scientists suspected that breast milk must have special "keys" to help its components cross this barrier. Their study revealed that certain breast milk proteins are those keys.
These proteins form a coating, called a "Human Breast Milk Protein Corona," around tiny particles. This coating helps the particles pass through the intestinal barrier. How well the coating works depends on the electrical charge of the particles.
The researchers tested their theory using human intestinal cells and pig intestines. They compared breast milk to cow's milk and baby formula and found that breast milk was the most effective at helping substances pass through the intestinal barrier.
