EN
The aim of this study was to evaluate protective effects of glycomacropeptide (GMP), a kappa casein-derived peptide, in experimentally induced endotoxemia or bacteremia in mice. The results showed that BALB/c mice, given intraperitoneally (i.p.) GMP, 24h before intravenous (i.v.) injection of a high dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli, strongly inhibited serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), measured 2h later by bioassays. In addition, GMP, administered 24h before infection of CBA mice with a sublethal dose of E. coli, significantly lowered the number of bacterial cells in the spleen. The analysis of main blood cell types in mice pretreated 24h prior to infection with GMP revealed significant increase in the content of granulocytes and immature neutrophils. We, therefore, postulate, that induction of myelopoiesis by GMP may be a primary cause of the increased clearance of bacteria during the development of bacteremia in mice.