RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of Action of Low-molecular-weight Whey Protein Capable of Activating Macrophages in Bovine Mastitis JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 4701 OP 4706 DO 10.21873/anticanres.14470 VO 40 IS 8 A1 TORU TASAKA A1 KATSUHIKO MAEHASHI A1 HISATSUGU YAMADA A1 AKIHIRO SHIRAI A1 HIDEKI UNUMA A1 KEN TOKUNAGA A1 AKIO HAYAKAWA A1 AKITERU GO A1 KIKYO GO A1 YOSHIHIRO UTO YR 2020 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/40/8/4701.abstract AB Background/Aim: Bovine mastitis is caused by the invasion and propagation of pathogenic microorganisms into the udder and mammary gland tissues of cattle. In this study, the therapeutic effect of a low-molecular-weight whey protein (LMW-WP) on bovine mastitis was evaluated. Materials and Methods: LMW-WP was orally, intraperitoneally, and vaginally administered to bovine with mastitis. The number of somatic cells in milk was measured 24 h before the administration of LMW-WP. The effect of LMW-WP on cytokine production was measured with a microarray that evaluates the expression of cytokines. Results: In the group that received 1,000 mg intraperitoneally, the somatic cell count was reduced to less than 400,000 at the shipment standard value in three of the four udders, indicating 75% efficacy. The group that received 1,000 mg by vaginal administration showed 67% efficacy. It was confirmed that LMW-WP increased the production of cytokines such as IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-12, MCP-1, and VEGF in mouse macrophage cells, but it did not show any antibacterial activity. Conclusion: LMW-WP may be an effective therapeutic agent for bovine mastitis.