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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Mar;33(3):1061-1083.
doi: 10.1007/s10787-024-01615-8. Epub 2025 Jan 7.

Impacts of supplementation with milk proteins on inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shooka Mohammadi  1   2 , Damoon Ashtary-Larky  3 , Milad Mehrbod  4 , Narges Kouhi Sough  5 , Hossein Salehi Omran  6 , Sina Dolatshahi  6 , Niusha Amirani  7 , Omid Asbaghi  8
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Impacts of supplementation with milk proteins on inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shooka Mohammadi et al. Inflammopharmacology. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Adiponectin; Casein; Cytokines; Leptin; Milk protein; Whey.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable.

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