β-Casomorphin (bovine)

BCM-7, YPFPGPI, has first been isolated from an enzymatic casein digest. Only cow casein variants A1 and B yield this bioactive peptide after in vitro digestion with intestinal enzymes, but not the common A2 variant. β-Casomorphin displays opioid properties. The β-casomorphin generated by digestion of bovine milk could play a role in the aetiology of human diseases as type 1 diabetes and cardiovascular affections. In a rat model, BCM-7 attenuated the development of nephropathy in type I diabetes via inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells.