Recent research has shown that the immune system contains a natural substance known as lactoferrin. This substance helps the body to fight off infections and has a number of important functions, including a protective role in the fight against gastrointestinal maladies. Read on to discover more about the source, function and activation of lactoferrin. This substance is an important part of the immune system and has been found to play a vital role in the natural defense of the body.
Research on lactoferrin
The potential for antimicrobial activity of lactoferrina is evident in human milk and plays a significant role in protecting the lactancia materna. This article critically reviews lactoferrina’s mechanisms of action and discusses relevant areas of research. In addition, lactoferrina’s applications are discussed, including the diagnosis of inflammation and diagnostic tests. Its potential is discussed in the context of a number of different disease models.
This substance may play a specific role in the development of the gut. The amount of lactoferrin in infant feces is significantly related to the concentration of the protein in the mother’s milk at 28 days of age. However, the level of lactoferrin in preterm infants was much higher than those at full term. This suggests that lactoferrin may contribute to the immune and metabolic programming of newborns.
Functions
Various studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of lactoferrin on human health. Lactoferrin has significant antimicrobial and immuno-regulatory properties. It also supports the proliferation, differentiation, and activation of immune cells. It was first isolated from milk in the 1960s, and scientific publications involving this protein have grown significantly since that time. Here is a summary of its main functions and potential therapeutic uses.
The cationic glycoprotein lactoferrin (Lf) binds iron and can be actively targeted by microbes as a source of iron. The resulting interaction with microbes sparked a pivotal adaptation and conflict in evolutionary history. Lactoferrin is an important member of the human immune system. It is also used in nutraceutical infant formula and adjuvant therapy.
Source
Lactoferrin is a vitally important antioxidant peptide that can protect cells against oxidative damage and promote the growth of immature intestinal tissues. Lactoferrin increases the proliferation of enterocytes, promotes the closure of intestinal gap junctions, and activates immune responses in tumor-bearing mice. It also stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria, a bacterium that contributes to the immune system.
Human milk contains a vast amount of biologically-active components, which may contribute to the health benefits of breastfeeding. Lactoferrin has been extensively studied over the past 25 years, and the wide array of its biological activities have led to many studies examining the health effects of breastfeeding on breastfed infants. For instance, researchers found that cheese has a higher concentration of lactoferrin than pasteurised milk cheese. The study also revealed that raw milk cheese contains intact lactoferrin, while pasteurised milk cheese has partially hydrolyzed lactoferrin. Consequently, researchers propose that cheese is an excellent natural source of lactoferrin.
Activation
It is thought that lactoferrin activates antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in the body. It is found in large amounts in colostrum and milk and may promote the development of the newborn immune system. Lactoferrin also influences the intestinal epithelium and promotes the activation of APCs along the GI tract. This article will discuss some of the mechanisms involved in lactoferrin activation.
Functional activity of lactoferrin is defined as the ability of a protein to stimulate or inhibit cytokines and increase various parameters. The biological activity of lactoferrin is important in promoting the well-being of a subject, whether they are treated for cancer or not. There are several clinical trials currently in progress. Activation of lactoferrin is beneficial for the treatment of cancers.
Preclinical studies
Lactoferrin is a natural immunomodulatory protein found predominantly in milk. It serves as the primary host defense against infection and inflammation. It is also being studied for its therapeutic applications in wound healing and oncology. Recent studies suggest that Lactoferrin alters the cytokine profile from splenic T-helper cell type 2 to Th1 and favors cell-mediated immunity.
The study found that the levels of salivary lactoferrin were higher in patients with Parkinson’s disease than in the control group. Moreover, plasma lactoferrin levels correlated inversely with the number of monoaminooxidase inhibitors, while cerebrospinal fluid lactoferrin concentrations were negatively correlated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Lactoferrin treatment prevented neurodegeneration and protected neurons. It may also participate in the accumulation of iron within the neurons.
Side effects
Lactoferrin is a monomeric high-affinity iron-binding glycoprotein, found in all body fluids. Lactoferrin concentrations in newborns range from 260 mg/kg/day in early colostrum to 125 mg/kg/day in the fourth month. Because of its anti-inflammatory effects, lactoferrin has attracted much attention from the pharmaceutical and medical communities.
Lactoferrin is also an effective anti-cancer drug, boosting the immune system and activating cancer-fighting cells. Human recombinant lactoferrin was first developed by researchers and has shown promising results as a drug candidate. It improved the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy in 100 patients with chemotherapy-resistant lung cancer. While large studies were inconclusive, smaller ones found that lactoferrin improved the immune response in ten patients.