Scientific Articles

Kolfarma boasts collaborations with prestigious international research institutes aimed at understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric conditions such as behavioral disorders, sleep disorders and epilepsy.

Through the in-depth study of the physiology of neurotransmitters at the level of the central nervous system, and the role of the microbiota as an active component in the modulation of the morpho-functional axis between the intestine and the brain, Kolfarma researches and develops products with the aim of providing concrete solutions, effective and safe.

In addition to food supplements, Kolfarma is developing a Food for Special Medical Purposes (AMFS)
for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsies.

Rusu D, Drouin R, Pouliot Y, Gauthier S, Poubelle PE. A bovine whey protein extract stimulates human neutrophils to generate bioactive IL-1Ra through an NF-kappaB- and MAPK-dependent mechanism. J Nutr. 2010 Feb;140(2):382-91.

• Ushida Y, Shimokawa Y, Matsumoto H, Toida T, Hayasawa H. Effects of bovine alpha-lactalbumin on gastric defense mechanisms in naïve rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2003 Mar;67(3):577-83

• Matsumoto H, Shimokawa Y, Ushida Y, Toida T, Hayasawa H. New biological function of bovine alpha-lactalbumin: protective effect against ethanol- and stress-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2001 May;65(5):1104-11.

• Pellegrini A, Thomas U, Bramaz N, Hunziker P, von Fellenberg R. Isolation and identification of three bactericidal domains in the bovine alpha-lactalbumin molecule. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1999 Feb 2;1426(3):439-48.

Merens W, Booij L, Markus R, Zitman FG, Onkenhout W, Van der Does AJ. The effects of a diet enriched with alpha-lactalbumin on mood and cortisol response in unmedicated recovered depressed subjects and controls. Br J Nutr. 2005 Sep;94(3):415-22.

Markus CR, Olivier B, de Haan EH. Whey protein rich in alpha-lactalbumin increases the ratio of plasma tryptophan to the sum of the other large neutral amino acids and improves cognitive performance in stress-vulnerable subjects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Jun;75(6):1051-6.

Markus CR, Jonkman LM, Lammers JH, Deutz NE, Messer MH, Rigtering N. Evening intake of alpha-lactalbumin increases plasma tryptophan availability and improves morning alertness and brain measures of attention. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;81(5):1026-33.

Schmitt JA, Jorissen BL, Dye L, Markus CR, Deutz NE, Riedel WJ. Memory function in women with premenstrual complaints and the effect of serotonergic stimulation by acute administration of an alpha-lactalbumin protein. J Psychopharmacol. 2005 Jul;19(4):375-84.

Booij L, Merens W, Markus CR, Van der Does AJ. Diet rich in alpha-lactalbumin improves memory in unmedicated recovered depressed patients and matched controls. J Psychopharmacol. 2006 Jul;20(4):526-35

Markus CR, Jonkman LM. Attention switching after dietary brain 5-HT challenge in high impulsive subjects. J Psych

Lunardi G, Mainardi P, Rubino V, Fracassi M, Pioli F, Cultrera S, Albano C. Tryptophan and epilepsy. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1996;398:101-2.

Mainardi P, Leonardi A, Albano C.. Potentiation of brain serotonin activity may inhibit seizures, especially in drug-resistant epilepsy. Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(4):876-9.

Citraro R, Scicchitano F, De Fazio S, Raggio R, Mainardi P, Perucca E, De Sarro G, Russo E. Preclinical activity profile of α-lactalbumin, a whey protein rich in tryptophan, in rodent models of seizures and epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2011 Jun;95(1-2):60-9.

Russo E, Scicchitano F, Citraro R, Aiello R, Camastra C, Mainardi P, Chimirri S, Perucca E, Donato G, De Sarro G. Protective activity of α-lactalbumin (ALAC), a whey protein rich in tryptophan, in rodents models of epileptogenesis. Neuroscience. 2012 Dec 13;226:282-8.

Errichiello L, Pezzella M, Santulli L, Striano S, Zara F, Minetti C, Mainardi P, Striano P. A proof-of-concept trial of the whey protein alpha-lactalbumin in chronic cortical myoclonus. Movement Disord. 2011 Dec;26(14):2573-5.

De Caro C, Leo A, Nesci V, Ghelardini C, di Cesare Mannelli L, Striano P, Avagliano C, Calignano A, Mainardi P, Constanti A, Citraro R, De Sarro G, Russo E. Intestinal inflammation increases convulsant activity and reduces antiepileptic drug efficacy in a mouse model of epilepsy. Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 27;9(1):13983.