Lactoferrin In Prevention Research Articles

Role of Lactoferrin in Prevention of Premature Rupture of Membranes

Role of Lactoferrin in Prevention of Premature Rupture of Membranes

Role of Oral Lactoferrin in Prevention of Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis in Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Role of Oral Lactoferrin in Prevention of Recurrent Bacterial Vaginosis in Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Efficacy of Lactoferrin in Prevention of Premature Rupture of Membrane

Background: Prematurity is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, complicating up to 10% of all pregnancies. Mortality and morbidities, including respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis, are inversely associated with gestational age at birth. Objective: This study aimed to decrease the morbidities and mortalities resulting from premature rupture of membrane (PROM). Patients and Methods: This was a cohort study, which was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups; Group A: 24 patients received 100 mg of recombinant human lactoferrin (RHLF) twice a day before meals. Group B: 24 patients received placebo medicine. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, general examination. Obstetric transvaginal ultrasound had been performed to evaluate cervical length and funneling. Results: Mode of delivery in group (A) in 14 women (58.3%) was normal vaginal delivery (NVD) and in 10 (41.7%) was cesarean section (CS) while in group (B) 11 women (45.8%) was NVD and in 13 (54.2%) was CS. There was no statistically significant difference between groups where P=0.564. Lactoferrin had sensitivity of 62.5 with specificity 56.2 and positive and negative predictive value of 41.7 and 75 respectively, while the area under curve was 0.594 with p value of 0.222. Conclusion: Supplementation with lactoferrin may be an option to reduce the risk of premature rupture of membrane.

Lactoferrin for Prevention and Treatment of Anemia and Inflammation in Pregnant Women: A Comprehensive Review.

Pregnancy is a physiological state that demands higher level of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, for the growth and maintenance of the fetus. Iron deficiency is a part of most common diet deficiencies in pregnancy and has high clinical significance leading to the development of syderopenic anemia and its consequences for mother and child, such as higher risk of perinatal death, susceptibility to infection, intra-uteral growth inhibition, prematurity and low birth weight. Hence, iron supplementation is recommended for pregnant women; however dietary intake of iron from most commercially available formulas is often insufficient due to iron-poor bioavailability, or have undesired side-effects in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a discouraging and distrustful attitude to such treatment. The results of numerous studies indicate that diet supplementation with lactoferrin (LTF), an iron-binding protein, may be advantageous in prophylaxis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia. LTF, administered orally, normalizes iron homeostasis, not only by facilitating iron absorption, but also by inhibiting inflammatory processes responsible for anemia of chronic diseases, characterized by a functional iron deficit for physiological processes. LTF also protects against infections and inflammatory complications, caused by diagnostic surgical interventions in pregnant women. Beneficial, multidirectional actions of LTF during pregnancy encompass, in addition, inhibition of oxidative stress, normalization of intestine and genital tract microbiota and carbohydrate-lipid metabolism, protection of intestine barrier function, promotion of wound healing, as well as hypotensive, analgesic and antistress actions. Bovine lactoferrin (BLTF) is readily available on the nutritional market and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in human diet.

Vaginal lactoferrin in prevention of preterm birth in women with bacterial vaginosis

Objective To evaluate use of vaginal lactoferrin in prevention of preterm birth (PTB) in women with first trimester bacterial vaginosis and prior spontaneous PTB. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all consecutive singleton gestations with prior PTB, and first trimester diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Women who were found to have bacterial vaginosis were recommended lactoferrin 300 mg vaginal tablets daily for 21 days. The primary outcome was the incidence of PTB at less than 37 weeks of gestations. Outcomes were compared in women who received daily lactoferrin with those who did not Results During the study period, 847 pregnant women with prior spontaneous PTB were screened for bacterial vaginosis. Of them, 193 were found to have bacterial vaginosis in the first trimester, with an overall incidence of 22.8%. Out of the 193 women, 125 met the inclusion criteria for the study and were analyzed. Sixty of the included women received vaginal lactoferrin, while 65 did not. Women who received supplementation with lactoferrin had a significantly lower rate of PTB < 37 weeks (25.0 versus 44.6%; p = .02), lower mean gestational age at delivery (37.7 ± 3.2 versus 35.9 ± 4.1 weeks; p = .01), and lower rate of admission for threatened PTL (45.0 versus 70.8%; p = .04). No between-group differences were noticed in the other outcomes, including chorioamnionitis, PPROM < 34 weeks, and neonatal outcomes. No cases of late miscarriage were reported in our cohort. No cases of adverse events were reported. Conclusion Based on this small single-center retrospective study, supplementation with vaginal lactoferrin in women with first trimester bacterial vaginosis may be an option to reduce the risk of preterm delivery.

Potential of Lactoferrin as a Novel Nutraceutical

Lactoferrin is an 80-kDa iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family, which was first fractionated as an unknown ‘‘red fraction’’ from cows’ milk by Sorensen. It is one of the major proteins of all exocrine secretions including saliva, tears, semen, vaginal fluids, gastrointestinal fluids, nasal mucosa and bronchial mucosa of human being. Lactoferrin is also known for its anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-allergic and most importantly anticancerous properties. The advantages of this natural molecule prove its potential as a natural therapeutic agent that can be used in various fields of research including cancer. Initial research has shown its potential as a novel nutraceutical for enhancing animal production, health and welfare, however, research on this topic is largely focused on lab animals, how lactoferrin enhances antioxidant status, immunity and performance needs to be ascertain in livestock and poultry. The role of supplementary lactoferrin in prevention and management of mastitis and anemia needs special attention.

Lactoferrin and Its Role in Neonatology: A Review Article

Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein, which is present in milk of mammals. It has been proven to plays a very important role in innate immune host defences. It is well known that Neonatal sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the new-born, especially in VLBW (1500 grams at birth) infants. The ill effects of sepsis and NEC persist in spite of appropriate and effective antibiotic therapy and have been associated with poor long term outcome. In the few recent trials which have been conducted around the globe, in field of neonatology, role of LF in prevention of neonatal sepsis and NEC has been strengthened. Furthermore many trials are underway and only future may provide a definite answer of LF role in sepsis and NEC. This review article has been written to through some light on the recent work that has already been done, to strengthen the role of LF in neonatal sepsis and the work that is still under process.

Lactoferrin decreases LPS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cultured cells and in animal endotoxemia model

Lactoferrin is a non-heme iron-binding glycoprotein, produced by mucosal epithelial cells and granulocytes in most mammalian species. It is involved in regulation of immune responses, possesses anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory properties, and provides protection against various microbial infections. In addition, lactoferrin has been implicated in protection against the development of insult-induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and its progression into septic conditions in vivo. Here we show a potential mechanism by which lactoferrin lessens oxidative insult at the cellular and tissue levels after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. Lactoferrin pretreatment of cells decreased LPS-mediated oxidative insults in a dose-dependent manner. Lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative burst was found to be of mitochondrial origin, and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was localized to the respiratory complex III. Importantly, lactoferrin nearly abolished LPS-induced increases in mitochondrial ROS generation and the accumulation of oxidative damage in the DNA. In vivo, pretreatment of experimental animals with lactoferrin significantly (P<0.05) lowered LPS-induced mitochondrial dysfunction as shown by both decreased release of H(2)O(2) and DNA damage in the mitochondria. In contrast, deferoxamine, an iron chelating compound, provided only partial protection in LPS-treated animals. Together, these data suggest that lactoferrin protects against oxidative insult at the mitochondrial level, and indicate a potential utility of lactoferrin in prevention and treatment of SIRS.