A world first! New Functions of Milk-derived β-lactopeptides Leading to Prevention and Improvement of Alzheimer's Disease

Background to the research

As Japan's super-aged society, the number of dementia patients, including those with Alzheimer's disease, is on the rise and has become a major social issue. In recent years, it has become clear that a decline in the function of mitochondria, known as the energy-producing factories of cells, is one of the major pathological conditions of Alzheimer's disease, and maintaining or improving mitochondrial function is considered important for maintaining brain health. In addition, improvement of daily life, such as diet, is important to prevent dementia, and recent epidemiological studies have reported that consumption of milk and dairy products reduces the risk of dementia, attracting much attention.※3
As a result of our long-standing brain science research in collaboration with the University of Tokyo and Kyowa Kirin Company, Limited, we have discovered β-lactopeptides as milk-derived peptides, which are abundant in fermented dairy products such as Camembert cheese, and reported that it helps maintain cognitive function in humans.※4 They also reported that β-lactopeptides prevent Alzheimer's disease-like conditions in non-clinical studies※5
3 Ozawa M, et al, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2014, 62(7): 1224-1230
4 Ano Y, Nakayama H, et al, Neurobiology of Aging, 2018, 72: 23-31
5 Ano Y, et al, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2020;73(4):1331-1342

Outline of the research

To further elucidate the mechanism of β-lactopeptides on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, we focused our research on the decline of mitochondrial function in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we examined the effect of β-lactopeptides using Alzheimer's disease model neurons derived from human iPS cells as an evaluation method similar to the human pathological condition. In Alzheimer's disease model neurons, pathological conditions such as abnormal mitochondrial morphology are induced by the accumulation of amyloid-β, a brain waste product that is considered one of the causative agents of Alzheimer's disease. For this Alzheimer's disease-like pathology, β-lactopeptides were found to improve mitochondrial morphology, energy production, and other functions. These results indicate that β-lactopeptides may prevent or suppress the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease by improving mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (Figure). These results are expected to be applied to efforts to maintain brain health and improve cognitive function in the future.

Future development

The Kirin Group has formulated a long-term management concept, Kirin Group Vision 2027, and aims to "create value in areas ranging from food to medicine and become a global CSV※6 leader.
To achieve this goal, in addition to our existing businesses in the "food domain" (alcoholic beverages) and "medical domain" (pharmaceuticals), we are launching and nurturing a "health science domain" (health science business) that will contribute to people's health based on the advanced "fermentation and biotechnology" technologies that the Kirin Group has developed over the years. In the health science area, we have designated "immunity" and "brain function" as priority areas and are conducting various research and development activities. In the future, we will work with universities and local governments to realize a society in which "brain health" support is possible.
6 Creating Shared Value: combined added value for consumers as well as for society at large.

Kirin Brain Research

Japan has become a "super-aging society" where one in four people is elderly※7 and it is estimated that one in five of the elderly will suffer from dementia※8 by 2025. In addition, due to the recent rapid changes in the social environment, the promotion of brain and mental health has become a major social issue.
The Kirin Group is promoting "Kirin Brain Research" to protect brain and mental health through brain science research and to create new joys. Kirin Brain Research based on Kirin’s distinct technology and ways of thinking contributes to promote brain health in an effort to help resolve social issues and will create a society conducive to psychologically prosperous living, where everyone has confidence and ambition and feels free to experience their emotions.
7 Annual Report on the Aging Society, 2020
8 Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, MHLW Special Research Project. Research on Future Trends in the Prevalence of Dementia Among Elderly People in Japan. 2014 Report on General/Specialized Research, 2015.