Lactoferrin Supplementation Research Articles

Lactoferrin Supplementation during Pregnancy and Lactation Protects Adult Male Rat Offspring from Hypertension Induced by Maternal Adenine Diet.

Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein derived from breastmilk, is recognized for its health benefits in infants and children; however, its protective effects when administered during gestation and lactation against offspring hypertension remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether maternal lactoferrin supplementation could prevent hypertension in offspring born to mothers with chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a focus on nitric oxide (NO), renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulation, and alterations in gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Prior to pregnancy, female rats were subjected to a 0.5% adenine diet for 3 weeks to induce CKD. During pregnancy and lactation, pregnant rats received one of four diets: normal chow, 0.5% adenine diet, 10% lactoferrin diet, or adenine diet supplemented with lactoferrin. Male offspring were euthanized at 12 weeks of age (n = 8 per group). Supplementation with lactoferrin during gestation and lactation prevented hypertension in adult offspring induced by a maternal adenine diet. The maternal adenine diet caused a decrease in the index of NO availability, which was restored by 67% with maternal LF supplementation. Additionally, LF was related to the regulation of the RAS, as evidenced by a reduced renal expression of renin and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Combined maternal adenine and LF diets altered beta diversity, shifted the offspring's gut microbiota, decreased propionate levels, and reduced the renal expression of SCFA receptors. The beneficial effects of lactoferrin are likely mediated through enhanced NO availability, rebalancing the RAS, and alterations in gut microbiota composition and SCFAs. Our findings suggest that maternal lactoferrin supplementation improves hypertension in offspring in a model of adenine-induced CKD, bringing us closer to potentially translating lactoferrin supplementation clinically for children born to mothers with CKD.

Digestive Profiles of Human Milk, Recombinant Human and Bovine Lactoferrin: Comparing the Retained Intact Protein and Peptide Release.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a major component of human milk. LF supplementation (currently bovine) supports the immune system and helps maintain iron homeostasis in adults. No recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) is available for commercial food use. To determine the extent to which rhLF (Effera™) produced by Komagataella phaffii digests similarly to hmLF, a validated in vitro digestion protocol was carried out. Bovine LF (bLF) was used as an additional control, as it is approved for use in various food categories. This study compared the extent of intact protein retention and the profile of peptides released in hmLF, bLF and rhLF (each with low and high iron saturation) across simulated adult gastric and intestinal digestion using gel electrophoresis, ELISA and LC-MS. Intact LF retention across digestion was similar across LF types, but the highest iron-saturated hmLF had greater retention in the simulated gastric fluid than all other sample types. Peptides identified in digested hmLF samples strongly correlated with digested rhLF samples (0.86 < r < 0.92 in the gastric phase and 0.63 < r < 0.70 in the intestinal phase), whereas digested bLF samples were significantly different. These findings support the potential for rhLF as a food ingredient for human consumption.

Effects of Lactoferrin and Lactobacillus Supplementation on Immune Function, Oxidative Stress, and Gut Microbiota in Kittens.

Immune deficiency is a prevalent issue among kittens, severely threatening their health and development by increasing susceptibility to infections and diseases. This study investigates the effects of dietary supplements containing lactoferrin and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on the immune function, intestinal health, and microbiota composition of kittens. The results demonstrate that these supplements significantly enhance immune responses, with immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels increasing by 14.9% and IgG levels by 14.2%. Additionally, there was a notable 28.7% increase in catalase activity, indicating a reduction in oxidative stress. Gastrointestinal (GI) health improved markedly, evidenced by increased populations of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, which rose from 4.13% to 79.03% over the study period. The DNC group also showed significant reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines, including decreases of 13.94% in IL-2, 26.46% in TNF-α, and 19.45% in IFN-γ levels. Furthermore, improvements in physical conditions were observed, including enhanced coat condition and mental status. These findings underline the potential of lactoferrin and L. plantarum as effective dietary interventions to improve kitten health, thereby reducing dependency on antibiotics and mitigating associated risks. This research provides a scientific foundation for optimizing nutritional management practices to enhance the overall vitality of kittens during their critical growth phases.

Determination of Bovine Lactoferrin in Powdered Infant Formula and Adult Nutritionals by Heparin Affinity Extraction and Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Ultraviolet Detection (HPLC/UV): Single-Laboratory Validation, First Action 2021.10.

Infant formulas, and pediatric and adult nutritional products, are being fortified with bovine lactoferrin (bLF) due to its beneficial impacts on immune development and gut health. Lactoferrin supplementation into these products requires an analytical method to accurately quantify the concentrations of bLF to meet global regulatory and quality standards. To develop and validate a lactoferrin method capable of meeting the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPR®) 2020.005. Powder formula samples are extracted using warm dibasic phosphate buffer, pH 8, then centrifuged at 4°C to remove insoluble proteins, fat, and other solids. The soluble fraction is further purified on a HiTrap heparin solid-phase extraction (SPE) column to isolate bLF from interferences. Samples are filtered, then analyzed by LC-UV using a protein BEH C4 analytical column and quantitated using an external calibrant. The LOQ (2 mg/100 g), repeatability (RSD: 2.0-4.8%), recovery (92.1-97.7%), and analytical range (4-193 mg/100 g) all meet the method requirements as stated in SMPR 2020.005 for lactoferrin. The reported single-laboratory validation (SLV) results demonstrate the ability of this lactoferrin method to meet or exceed the method performance requirements to measure soluble, intact, non-denatured bLF in infant and adult nutritional powder formulas. The use of a heparin affinity column to isolate lactoferrin from bovine milk products combined with a selective analytical chromatographic column provides suitable analyte specificity without requiring proprietary equipment or reagents.

Lactoferrin Supplementation Induced Awassi Lambs Production with High Immunity and Iron Levels

Background: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports indicate an increasing demand for animal products in the Near East and North Africa, surpassing production rates. This necessitates a focus on enhancing animal production, particularly sheep breeding, which is prevalent in the region. Newborn lamb morbidity and mortality are significant economic losses for sheep farms, attributed to deficiencies in immunoglobulins at birth. Colostrum intake is crucial for newborn immunity and growth, containing vital immunoglobulins and antibodies. Lactoferrin, a key component in colostrum, plays a role in boosting the immune system and nutrient absorption. Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tikrit, from November 1, 2023, to February 1, 2024. Fifteen Awassi lambs were divided into three groups: control (no lactoferrin), 1 g/day lactoferrin, and 3 g/day lactoferrin. Blood samples were collected at 30, 60, and 90 days of age to measure concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA), iron, transferrin, and transferrin saturation. The analysis was performed using radial immunodiffusion, Cobas C6000 automatic analyzer, and Alisa (Stat Fax 2400). Results: At 30 days, the lambs receiving lactoferrin showed significantly higher IgG levels compared to the control group. IgG concentrations were 13.20 ± 0.1 mg/ml (3 g lactoferrin) and 10.40 ± 0.3 mg/ml (1 g lactoferrin), compared to 9.30 ± 2.1 mg/ml in the control group. No significant differences were observed in IgM and IgA levels among the groups. Iron concentrations showed no significant differences at 30 days, but transferrin levels were significantly lower in the 3 g lactoferrin group (2.10 ± 0.30 mg/ml) compared to the control (2.90 ± 0.12 mg/ml) and 1 g lactoferrin (2.80 ± 0.16 mg/ml) groups. At 60 and 90 days, iron concentrations were significantly higher in the lactoferrin groups compared to the control. Conclusion: The administration of lactoferrin significantly enhances the concentration of immunoglobulins and iron in the blood of newborn Awassi lambs, indicating improved immune function and nutrient absorption.

Impact of lactoferrin supplementation on cotrimoxazole pharmacokinetics: A preliminary clinical investigation.

Cotrimoxazole, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, has substantial resistance, especially in Indonesia, with its uropathogenic resistance reaching 67% in 2017. Although cotrimoxazole has been suggested to be co-administered with lactoferrin to enhance its antibacterial effectiveness and this practice has been widely adopted since the Covid-19 pandemic, the impact of lactoferrin on the pharmacokinetics of cotrimoxazole remains relatively unknown. This study aims to conduct a preliminary clinical investigation into the impact of lactoferrin supplementation on the pharmacokinetics of cotrimoxazole, focusing on the elimination rate and excretion of unchanged drug in urine. This study employed a blinded, cross-over, single-dose pharmacokinetics investigation, which included five healthy volunteers as participants. In the initial period, the first group received cotrimoxazole (80 mg trimethoprim and 400 mg sulfamethoxazole) along with a lactoferrin-containing supplement, while the second group only received cotrimoxazole. Subsequently, after a washout period, the conditions were reversed. Urine sampling was conducted at intervals from 0 to 24 hours post-medication, and drug levels in the urine were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The population-based pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the optimal model was the one-compartment model with first-order elimination and proportional residual error. The findings show that the administration of lactoferrin-containing supplements did not significantly influence the covariate model and, therefore, did not alter the pharmacokinetics parameter of cotrimoxazole in urine with a single administration, implying that lactoferrin did not cause drug interaction problems when given simultaneously.

Use of Lactoferrin Supplement as an Efficient Antioxidant to Ameliorate the Effects of Mercury-induced Oxidative Stress in Male Wistar Rats

Background: The present study was carried out to test the antioxidant activity of lactoferrin as a dietary supplement to alleviate the effects of oxidative stress induced by mercury toxicity. Hematological and biochemical assays were employed to evaluate the ameliorating effects of lactoferrin. Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were allotted randomly and equally into three groups; animals in Group 1 served as untreated control, animals in Group 2 were administered orally with mercuric chloride (HgCl2) at the dose of 6 mg/kg bw/day, and animals in Group 3 were administered with HgCl2 at the same dose and orally dosed with lactoferrin (400 mg/kg bw/day). Hematological indices (erythrocytic and total leukocytic counts, hemoglobin concentration%, and packed cell volume, (PCV%), and biochemical parameters (serum and homogenates of liver and kidney tissues) were assessed in all animals. Serum and tissue homogenate levels of total thiols, glutathione (GSH), catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) represented the antioxidant markers. The oxidation markers were represented by H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Compared to the untreated control group, animals in Group 2 (administered with HgCl2) exhibited significantly increased levels of serum enzymes (alanine transferase (ALT), aspertate transferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase), urea, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, H2O2, and MDA. These animals showed significantly decreased levels of erythrocytic and total leukocytic counts, hemoglobin concentration, PCV%, total proteins, total thiols, GSH, catalase, and TAC. The hematological and biochemical changes were comparatively reversed toward the control levels in animals of Group 3 (administered with HgCl2 and orally dosed with lactoferrin). The reversed levels of hematological and biochemical parameters were significantly different compared to Group 2. Conclusions: Based on the encountered amelioration of the assayed hematological and biochemical parameters in animals treated with HgCl2 and given lactoferrin, it could be concluded that lactoferrin as a dietary supplement might function as an efficient antioxidant to alleviate the oxidative stress induced by mercury toxicity.

Lactoferrin ameliorated obesity-induced endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting the Tak1/IL-18/eNOS pathway between PVAT and vascular endothelium

Vascular endothelial dysfunction (ED) is one of the mechanisms underlying obesity-related hypertension. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounds blood vessels and influences the vascular endothelium function. Previous studies have demonstrated the antihypertensive effects of lactoferrin (LF) and its hydrolysates through various mechanisms. However, the effect of LF on ED and PVAT has not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the influence of LF on ED and PVAT using high-fat diet mice as well as MAEC cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Finally, LF supplementation decreases the systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum adhesion molecule (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), and aorta ROS levels, and improves endothelium-dependent relaxation function in high-fat diet mice. Moreover, LF supplementation down-regulates the Tak1/IL-18/eNOS pathway between PVAT and aorta and enhances the NO generation in high-fat diet mice. In addition, we observe that LF decreases the expression levels of IL-18 and p-Tak1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, but fails to influence the eNOS and p-eNOS expression levels in MAEC cells. Finally, the significant associations between LF and IL-18 and SBP and hypertension risk are also observed in obesity children only. These findings provide evidence that the Tak1/IL-18/eNOS pathway between the aorta and PVAT is important in obesity-related ED, and LF may improve ED or even hypertension by down-regulating this pathway.

Growth-restriction during lactation disrupts the intestinal clock and gut homeostasis but is not prevented by lactoferrin supplementation

Growth-restriction during lactation disrupts the intestinal clock and gut homeostasis but is not prevented by lactoferrin supplementation

Effect of lactoferrin supplement on cadmium chloride induced toxicity to male rats: Toxicopathological, ultrastructural and immunological studies

This study sought to determine whether lactoferrin supplementation could counteract the harm that cadmium (Cd) induced to the rats. The effect of Cd and lactoferrin were investigated in hematological, biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical expression and ultrastructural studies. After 30 days of treatment, rats exposed to Cd had significantly higher levels of Cd in their blood, more oxidized lipids, and less antioxidant capacity overall. Supplemental lactoferrin also significantly undoes that effect. Hematological and biochemical parameters changed along with the increase in blood Cd levels. The histological integrity of the liver, kidney, spleen, and (axillary, cervical, mesenteric and popliteal) lymph nodes that had been damaged by Cd exposure was also restored by lactoferrin supplementation. Moreover, the liver and spleen ultrastructure showed the same improvement. In addition, the spleen of Lf/Cd group showed less immunohistochemical expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) in comparison to the Cd group. In conclusion, the current study showed that supplementing with lactoferrin improved immune response and restored biochemical and oxidative stability induced by Cd.

Serum Level of Lactoferrin in Patients with Acne Vulgaris and the Efficacy of Lactoferrin Supplementation

Serum Level of Lactoferrin in Patients with Acne Vulgaris and the Efficacy of Lactoferrin Supplementation

Schizochytrium sp. and lactoferrin supplementation alleviates Escherichia coli K99-induced diarrhea in preweaning dairy calves

Calf diarrhea, a common disease mainly induced by Escherichia coli infection, is one of the main reasons for nonpredator losses. Hence, an effective nonantibacterial approach to prevent calf diarrhea has become an emerging requirement. This study evaluated the microalgae Schizochytrium sp. (SZ) and lactoferrin (LF) as a nutrient intervention approach against E. coli O101:K99-induced preweaning calve diarrhea. Fifty 1-d-old male Holstein calves were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 10): (1) control, (2) blank (no supplement or challenge), (3) 1 g/d LF, (4) 20 g/d SZ, or (5) 1 g/d LF plus 20 g/d SZ (LFSZ). The experimental period lasted 14 d. On the morning of d 7, calves were challenged with 1 × 1011 cfu of E. coli O101:K99, and rectum feces were collected on 3, 12, 24, and 168 h postchallenge for the control, LF, SZ, and LFSZ groups. The rectal feces of the blank group were collected on d 14. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS (version 9.4; SAS Institute Inc.). The E. coli K99 challenge decreased the average daily gain (ADG) and increased feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) and diarrhea frequency (control vs. blank). Compared with the control group, the LFSZ group had a higher ADG and lower F:G, and the LFSZ and SZ groups had lower diarrhea frequency compared with the control group. In addition, the LFSZ and SZ groups have no differences in diarrhea frequency compared with the blank group. Compared with the control group, the blank group had lower serum nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1, d-lactic acid (D-LA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations, as well as serum IgG, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels on d 7 and 14. On d 7, compared with the control group, all treatment groups had lower serum NO level, the SZ group had a lower serum D-LA concentration, and the LF and LFSZ groups had lower serum LPS concentration. On d 14, compared with the control group, the fecal microbiota of the blank group had lower Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and ACE indexes, the LFSZ group had lower Shannon and Simpson indexes, the SZ and LFSZ groups had a higher Chao1 index, and all treatment groups had a higher ACE index. In fecal microbiota, Bifidobacterium and Actinobacteria were negatively associated with IL-10 and d-lactate, while Akkermansia was negatively associated with endothelin-1 and positively correlated with LPS, fecal scores, and d-lactate levels. Our results indicated that LF and SZ supplements could alleviate E. coli O101:K99-induced calf diarrhea individually or in combination. Supplementing 1 g/d LF and 20 g/d SZ could be a potential nutrient intervention approach to prevent bacterial diarrhea in calves.

The Effect of Lactoferrin Supplementation on Iron level and Haematological Parameters after Sleeve Gastrectomy

Abstract Background Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most effective bariatric surgery methods of treatment for obesity. It can cause nutritional deficiencies and lead to anemia at the same time. Aim and objectives To evaluate the effect of lactoferrin supplementation on iron level and haematological parameters after three months of supplementations for sleeve gastrectomy patients. Subjects and Methods This study is a randomized control clinical study, Forty patients after sleeve gastrectomy divided into two groups as follows: (Group 1): 20 cases received ferrous sulphate capsule once daily for 3 consecutive months, (Group 2): 20 cases received lactoferrin sachet twice daily for 3 consecutive months with ferrous sulfate capsule once daily. Result There is a significant increase in hemoglobin, HCT, and RBCs after 3-months follow up on ferrous sulfate supplementation. Meanwhile, there is a significant decrease in serum ferritin after 3 months follow up. However, the improvement in hematological parameters was more significant in the group of lactoferrin with ferrous sulfate. Conclusion Oral lactoferrin was better tolerated and more acceptable in combination with oral iron with higher increase in hematological parameters when compared to oral iron therapy alone over three-months treatment.

Lactoferrin for the postoperative management of term neonates after gastrointestinal surgery.

Neonates who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery are particularly susceptible to infectious complications in the postoperative period. This may be due in part to disruption of the integrity of the gut and its altered intestinal microflora. Lactoferrin is a whey protein found in milk and is an important innate mammalian defence mechanism. Lactoferrin has been reported to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been reported to help establish a healthy gut microflora and aid in the intestinal immune system. Lactoferrin supplementation has been reported to decrease sepsis in preterm infants. There may be a role for lactoferrin to reduce the incidence of sepsis, thus reducing morbidity and mortality and improving enteral feeding in postoperative term neonates. The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of administering lactoferrin on the incidence of sepsis and mortality in term neonates after gastrointestinal surgery. The secondary objective was to assess the impact of administering lactoferrin on time to full enteral feeds, the intestinal microflora, duration of hospital stay, and mortality before discharge in the same population. The Cochrane Neonatal Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Ovid MEDLINE, Embase Ovid, CINAHL, the WHO ICTRP and ClinicalTrials.gov trials registries. The date of the last search was February 2023. There were no restrictions to language, publication year or publication type. We checked references of potentially relevant studies and systematic reviews. We planned to include randomised controlled trials that studied infants born at 37 or more weeks of gestation who had one or more episodes of gastrointestinal surgery within 28 days of birth, and compared administration of lactoferrin with a placebo. We used standard Cochrane methodological procedures. We planned to use the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. We identified no published randomised controlled studies that assessed the efficacy of lactoferrin for the postoperative management of term neonates following gastrointestinal surgery. There is currently no evidence available from randomised controlled trials to show whether lactoferrin is effective or ineffective for the postoperative management of term neonates after gastrointestinal surgery. There is a need for randomised controlled trials to be performed to assess the role of lactoferrin in this setting.

Lactoferrin Relieves Deoxynivalenol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response by Modulating the Nrf2/MAPK Pathways in the Liver.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of the most common mycotoxins contaminating food and feed, has been shown to induce hepatotoxicity. Lactoferrin (LF) enriched in human milk is a critical functional food component and performs the hepatoprotection function. Here, we aimed to explore whether dietary LF supplementation can protect from DON-induced hepatotoxicity and uncover the underlying mechanism in mice and alpha mouse liver 12 (AML12) hepatocytes. In vivo results revealed that LF alleviated DON-induced liver injury, reflected by repairing the hepatic histomorphology and decreasing the plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and the number of blood white blood cells (WBC) and neutrophils (Neu). Moreover, LF decreased the hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and enhanced the hepatic GSH-px activity and protein expression of Nrf2 and GPX4 to reverse the DON-induced hepatic oxidative stress. Furthermore, LF downregulated the pro-inflammatory-response-related gene expressions (IL1β, TNFα, and Tlr4) and the phosphorylation levels of IKK, IκBα, and p38 in the liver of DON-exposed mice. Additionally, in vitro studies confirmed that LF ameliorated the DON-induced oxidation-reduction imbalance, inflammatory responses, and associated core modulators of the Nrf2 and MAPK pathways in DON-induced hepatotoxicity. In conclusion, LF performs hepatic antioxidative and anti-inflammatory functions by regulating the Nrf2/MAPK signaling pathways, thus reducing DON-induced hepatotoxicity.

Antimicrobial Effects of Lactoferrin against Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Helicobacter (H.) pylori is the primary causative agent of various gastroduodenal diseases. H. pylori is an adapted microorganism that has evolved to survive in the acidic conditions of the human stomach, possessing a natural strategy for colonizing harsh environments. Despite the implementation of various eradication regimens worldwide, the eradication rate of H. pylori has decreased to less than 80% in recent years due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains. This has posed a significant challenge in treating H. pylori infection, as antibiotic resistance and side effects have become increasingly problematic. Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family, is an iron-binding protein with antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that promote human health. The concentrations of lactoferrin in the gastric juice and mucosa significantly increase during H. pylori infection and are strongly correlated with the severity of gastric mucosal inflammation. Numerous researchers have studied the antimicrobial properties of lactoferrin both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, recent studies have investigated the addition of oral lactoferrin supplementation to H. pylori eradication therapy, even though monotherapy with lactoferrin does not eradicate the microorganism. In this article, we reviewed the survival strategy of H. pylori to evade the antimicrobial activity of human lactoferrin and explore the potential of lactoferrin in H. pylori eradication therapy.

Time to Kill and Time to Heal: The Multifaceted Role of Lactoferrin and Lactoferricin in Host Defense.

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in most human exocrine fluids, particularly breast milk. Lactoferrin is also released from neutrophil granules, and its concentration increases rapidly at the site of inflammation. Immune cells of both the innate and the adaptive immune system express receptors for lactoferrin to modulate their functions in response to it. On the basis of these interactions, lactoferrin plays many roles in host defense, ranging from augmenting or calming inflammatory pathways to direct killing of pathogens. Complex biological activities of lactoferrin are determined by its ability to sequester iron and by its highly basic N-terminus, via which lactoferrin binds to a plethora of negatively charged surfaces of microorganisms and viruses, as well as to mammalian cells, both normal and cancerous. Proteolytic cleavage of lactoferrin in the digestive tract generates smaller peptides, such as N-terminally derived lactoferricin. Lactoferricin shares some of the properties of lactoferrin, but also exhibits unique characteristics and functions. In this review, we discuss the structure, functions, and potential therapeutic uses of lactoferrin, lactoferricin, and other lactoferrin-derived bioactive peptides in treating various infections and inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, we summarize clinical trials examining the effect of lactoferrin supplementation in disease treatment, with a special focus on its potential use in treating COVID-19.

Lactoferrin supplementation during pregnancy - a review of the literature and current recommendations.

Pregnancy is a period which requires special care and attention. Maintaining health during pregnancy helps to avoid birth related complications and is the best way of promoting a healthy birth. Besides a daily intake of folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamin D3 and A, calcium and polyunsaturated fatty-acids, as recommended by health agencies, supplementation of lactoferrin - a protein of multidirectional biological activity and proven safety of use - seems to be beneficial. A wide range of lactoferrin biological roles (including regulation of iron balance, modulation of immune responses, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity) may contribute to better pregnancy and birth related outcomes.

Sequence comparison of the lactoferrin of various animal species and its prospects as an animal feed additive

Lactoferrin as a feed additive is worth to be explored. However, reports on its application are contradictory, which might be associated with the genetic relatedness. Here we compare the lactoferrin nucleotide and its deduced amino acid sequence. Sequence data for lactoferrin of various animal and human were download from GenBank. The phylogenetic relatedness was inferred and the amino acid sequences were aligned to identify conserved and polymorphic sites. The protein three-dimension structures were estimated using online software. The result showed the lengths of lactoferrin, lactotransferrin or ovotransferrin are 703–711 residues. The phylogeny showed that the lactoferrins of buffalo, cow, goat, pig, camel, and horse formed one group; monkey, human, and gorilla formed a second group; and dog and cat formed a third group. Chicken ovotransferrin was an outgroup. Genetic distances between groups were 0.242–0.061, while smallest span between taxa was 0.016 (human to gorilla) and the highest was 0.612 (chicken to goat). The conserved residues spanned from the amino terminus to the carboxy terminus. There are 27 conserved cysteine residues. N-link glycosylation of the “NXS” and “NXT” motives of lactoferrin diverge between species. A species specific or group specific lactoferrin supplement should be beneficial to animal production.

Effect of lactoferrin supplementation on composition, fatty acids composition, lipolysis and sensory characteristics of cheddar cheese

ABSTRACT Lactoferrin is the part of whey proteins, which does not become the part of curd and is lost in the whey. The objective of the current investigation was to develop lactoferrin-supplemented cheddar cheese. Cheddar cheese was supplemented with lactoferrin at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 0 mg/100 g concentrations (T1, T2, T3, T4, and control) and matured for 90 days. The supplementation of lactoferrin at all four concentrations did not affect the compositional attributes of cheddar cheese. In mature cheddar cheese, values of log-colony forming units in T1, T2, T3, T4, and control per mL were 7.82, 7.77, 6.51, 6.21, and 7.95, respectively. Lactoferrin contents of T1, T2, T3, T4, and control were 4.98, 9.89, 14.91, 19.88, and 0.11 mg/100 g cheese. In vitro total antioxidant capacity of mature T1, T2, T3, T4, and control were 32.47%, 47.68%, 65.37%, 78.82%, and 45.79%. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that concentrations of citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid in mature T4 were 2389, 16,468, 126, and 141 mg/kg. Analysis of cheese samples on gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that fatty acids composition was not influenced by the supplementation of lactoferrin. Peroxide value of matured T1, T2, T3, T4, and control was 0.31, 0.30, 0.28, 0.35, and 0.28 (meqO2/kg) with no variation in color, flavor and texture score. The results of the current investigation proved that lactoferrin can be used for the supplementation of cheddar cheese.