Effect of β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate and β-lactorphin on intestinal mucin secretion and gene expression in human goblet cells

► Intestinal goblet cells were treated with a whey hydrolysate containing β-lactorphin. ► The hydrolysate stimulated mucin secretion and MUC5AC gene expression. ► Synthetic β-lactorphin provided evidence that opioid receptors are involved. ► Other mechanisms for the activity are not excluded.