Oral administration of bovine lactoferrin accelerates the healing of fracture in ovariectomized rats

The potential benefits and mechanisms of protein nutritional intervention on bone health improvement

Osteoporosis commonly occurs in the older people and severe patients, with the main reason of the imbalance of bone metabolism (the rate of bone resorption exceeding the rate of bone formation), resulting in a decrease in bone mineral density and destruction of bone microstructure and further leading to the increased risk of fragility fracture. Recent studies indicate that protein nutritional support is beneficial for attenuating osteoporosis and improving bone health. This review summarized the classical mechanisms of protein intervention for alleviating osteoporosis on both suppressing bone resorption and regulating bone formation related pathways (promoting osteoblasts generation and proliferation, enhancing calcium absorption, and increasing collagen and mineral deposition), as well as the potential novel mechanisms via activating autophagy of osteoblasts, altering bone related miRNA profiles, regulating muscle-bone axis, and modulating gut microbiota abundance. Protein nutritional intervention is expected to provide novel approaches for the prevention and adjuvant therapy of osteoporosis.

Lactoferrin-Anchored Tannylated Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterials-Induced Bone Fusion in a Rat Model of Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Lactoferrin (LF) is a potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agent found in cow and human colostrum which acts as an osteogenic growth factor. This study aimed to investigate whether LF-anchored tannylated mesoporous silica nanomaterials (TA-MSN-LF) function as a bone fusion material in a rat model. In this study, we created TA-MSN-LF and measured the effects of low (1 μg) and high (100 μg) TA-MSN-LF concentrations in a spinal fusion animal model. Rats were assigned to four groups in this study: defect, MSN, TA-MSN-LF-low (1 μg/mL), and TA-MSN-LF-high (100 μg/mL). Eight weeks after surgery, a greater amount of radiological fusion was identified in the TA-MSN-LF groups than in the other groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that new bone fusion was induced in the TA-MSN-LF groups. Additionally, osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, was detected by immunohistochemistry, and its intensity was induced in the TA-MSN-LF groups. The formation of new vessels was induced in the TA-MSN-LF-high group. We also confirmed an increase in the serum osteocalcin level and the mRNA expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin in the TA-MSN-LF groups. TA-MSN-LF showed effective bone fusion and angiogenesis in rats. We suggest that TA-MSN-LF is a potent material for spinal bone fusion.

The Efficacy of Topical Lactoferrin on Wound Healing in an Experimental Animal Model of Nasal Septum Perforation

The aim of the present experimental animal study was to investigate the efficacy of bovine lactoferrin (LF) on wound healing in an animal model of nasal septum perforation (NSP).Twenty-two, 8 to 10 weeks of age, male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into two groups. Nasal septum perforation was created in each rat. The saline (control) and 0.05 mg LF (study) groups were delivered locally for 14 days. On the 14th day of the study, after the sacrifice, the cartilage nasal septa of the animals were excised. The degeneration and regeneration observed in the nasal septum epithelium and cartilage, the number of acute inflammatory cells, the number of eosinophils, the amount of new vessel formation, the amount of granulation, and the collagen density were examined microscopically. The microscopic parameters and macroscopic healing of NSPs were analyzed. The epithelium regeneration, the fibroblast number, the granulation tissue formation, the collagen density, and the macroscopic healing were significantly higher in the LF group (p < 0.05). Besides, the acute inflammatory cell count was lower in the LF group (p = 0.034). In conclusion, the topically delivered LF can improve wound healing in an experimental rat model of NSP.

The role of lactoferrin in bone remodeling: evaluation of its potential in targeted delivery and treatment of metabolic bone diseases and orthopedic conditions

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a multifunctional protein that is synthesized endogenously and has various biological roles including immunological regulation, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Recently, research has uncovered Lf's critical functions in bone remodeling, where it regulates the function of osteoblasts, chondrocytes, osteoclasts, and mesenchymal stem cells. The signaling pathways involved in Lf's signaling in osteoblasts include (low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein - 1 (LRP-1), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and insulin-like growth factor - 1 (IGF-1), which activate downstream pathways such as ERK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB. These pathways collectively stimulate osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization while inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and activity. Additionally, Lf's inhibitory effect on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) suppresses the formation and activity of osteoclasts directly. Lf also promotes chondroprogenitor proliferation and differentiation to chondrocytes by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)signaling pathways while inhibiting the expression of matrix-degrading enzymes through the suppression of the NF-κB pathway. Lf's ability to stimulate osteoblast and chondrocyte activity and inhibit osteoclast function accelerates fracture repair, as demonstrated by its effectiveness in animal models of critical-sized long bone defects. Moreover, studies have indicated that Lf can rescue dysregulated bone remodeling in osteoporotic conditions by stimulating bone formation and suppressing bone resorption. These beneficial effects of Lf on bone health have led to its exploration in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. However, due to the large size of Lf, small bioactive peptides are preferred for pharmaceutical applications. These peptides have been shown to promote bone fracture repair and reverse osteoporosis in animal studies, indicating their potential as therapeutic agents for bone-related diseases. Nonetheless, the active concentration of Lf in serum may not be sufficient at the site requiring bone regeneration, necessitating the development of various delivery strategies to enhance Lf's bioavailability and target its active concentration to the site requiring bone regeneration. This review provides a critical discussion of the issues mentioned above, providing insight into the roles of Lf in bone remodeling and the potential use of Lf as a therapeutic target for bone disorders.

A review on lactoferrin as a proton pump inhibitor

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a versatile natural milk-derived protein that exhibits multiple interesting biological activities. Since it is safe for human administration and currently manufactured using low cost and well-established large-scale processes, the Lf scientific community has been devoted at dissecting its mechanisms of action towards its more rational and efficient use for various applications. Emerging literature has identified proton pumping ATPases as molecular targets of Lf in different cellular models linked to distinct activities of this natural protein. Information on this subject has not been systematically analysed before, hence herein we review the current state of art on the effect of Lf on proton pumping ATPases. Though structurally different, we propose that Lf holds a proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-like activity based on the functional resemblance with the classical inhibitors of the stomach H⁺/K⁺-ATPase. The downstream events and outcomes of the PPI-like activity of Lf, as well as its impact for the development of improved Lf applications are also discussed.

Lactoferrin-Anchored Tannylated Mesoporous Silica Nanomaterials for Enhanced Osteo-Differentiation Ability

In the present study, we created lactoferrin-anchored mesoporous silica nanomaterials with absorbed tannic acid (LF/TA-MSNs) and evaluated the effect of these LF/TA-MSNs on the in vitro osteo-differentiation ability of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) by testing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level, calcium accumulation, and expression of osteo-differentiation-specific genes, including osteocalcin (OCN) and osteopontin (OPN). Both bare MSNs and LF/TA-MSNs exhibited round nano-particle structures. The LF/TA-MSNs demonstrated prolonged LF release for up to 28 days. Treatment of ADSCs with LF (50 μg)/TA-MSNs resulted in markedly higher ALP level and calcium accumulation compared to treatment with LF (10 μg)/TA-MSNs or bare MSNs. Furthermore, LF (50 μg)/TA-MSNs remarkably increased mRNA levels of osteo-differentiation-specific genes, including OCN and OPN, compared to MSNs or LF (10 μg)/TA-MSNs. Together, these data suggest that the ability of LF/TA-MSNs to enhance osteo-differentiation of ADSCs make them a possible nanovehicle for bone healing and bone regeneration in patients with bone defect or disease.

Lactoferrin from Bovine Milk: A Protective Companion for Life

Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding multifunctional glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, is present in most biological secretions and reaches particularly high concentrations in colostrum and breast milk. A key function of lactoferrin is non-immune defence and it is considered to be a mediator linking innate and adaptive immune responses. Lf from bovine milk (bLf), the main Lf used in human medicine because of its easy availability, has been designated by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a food additive that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Among the numerous protective activities exercised by this nutraceutical protein, the most important ones demonstrated after its oral administration are: Antianemic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. All these activities underline the significance in host defence of bLf, which represents an ideal nutraceutical product both for its economic production and for its tolerance after ingestion. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most important beneficial activities demonstrated following the oral administration of bLf, trying to identify potential perspectives on its prophylactic and therapeutic applications in the future.