antisecretory factor

Antisecretory factor (AF) is a 43 kD endogenous protein expressed in most mammalian cells and tissues. It has antisecretory and anti-inflammatory properties, regulating fluid secretion across epithelial barriers and modulating inflammation. AF is part of the innate immune system and can be activated by exposure to bacterial toxins or intake of specific food components such as specially processed cereals (SPC). The active sequence responsible for its effects is an 8-amino acid peptide in the N-terminal region; a longer peptide called AF16 is used experimentally due to greater stability. Clinically, AF or AF-activating diets have been shown to reduce symptoms in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), gastroenteritis, Ménière’s disease (an inner ear disorder related to secretory dysfunction), and acute/chronic diarrhea. Products like Salovum (egg yolk powder from hens fed an AF-activating diet) provide preformed active AF for therapeutic use. The mechanism involves inhibition of intestinal fluid hypersecretion induced by bacterial toxins such as cholera toxin, Clostridium difficile toxin A, E. coli toxins, Campylobacter toxins, and okadaic acid from blue mussels. Its effects are thought to be mediated via modulation of the enteric nervous system.[1][2][3][4][6]

Brand names

SalovumSPC-Flakes

Other names

Protein Antisecretory FactorProtein-AF