BACKGROUND: Impacts of milk proteins (MPs) on inflammation are uncertain. The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated the effects of whey protein (WP), casein protein (CP), or MP supplementation on serum levels of cytokines and adipokines in adults.
METHODS: A comprehensive search of various online databases was conducted to find appropriate clinical trials published until September 2024. A random-effect statistical model was implemented.
RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 53 RCTs. It was indicated that MP supplements had no substantial effects on serum values of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), adiponectin, and leptin. However, there were statistically significant decreases in serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) following supplementation with MP (weighted mean difference (WMD): - 0.25 pg/mL, 95% CI - 0.48, - 0.03; P = 0.026) in the intervention group compared with the control group.
CONCLUSION: This study revealed that MP supplementation may not have any considerable impacts on the levels of cytokines and adipokines.
* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.