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Cao X, Ren Y, Lu Q, Wang K, Wu Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Cui XS, Yang Z, Chen Z. Lactoferrin: A glycoprotein that plays an active role in human health. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1018336. [PMID: 36712548 PMCID: PMC9875800 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1018336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), existing widely in human and mammalian milk, is a multifunctional glycoprotein with many functions, such as immune regulation, anti-inflammation, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant. These extensive functions largely attribute to its ability to chelate iron and interfere with the cellular receptors of pathogenic microorganisms and their hosts. Moreover, it is non-toxic and has good compatibility with other supplements. Thus, Lf has been widely used in food nutrition, drug carriers, biotechnology, and feed development. Although Lf has been continuously explored and studied, a more comprehensive and systematic compendium is still required. This review presents the recent advances in the structure and physicochemical properties of Lf as well as clinical studies on human diseases, with the aim of providing a reference for further research of Lf and the development of its related functional products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Cao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yang Ren
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Qinyue Lu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Kun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yanni Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - YuHao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yihui Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiang-shun Cui
- Department of Animal Science, Laboratory of Animal Developmental Biology, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhangping Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China,Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, Ministry of Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China,International Joint Research Laboratory in Universities of Jiangsu Province of China for Domestic Animal Germplasm Resources and Genetic Improvement, Yangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Zhi Chen,
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Mayeur S, Veilleux A, Pouliot Y, Lamarche B, Beaulieu JF, Hould FS, Richard D, Tchernof A, Levy E. Plasma Lactoferrin Levels Positively Correlate with Insulin Resistance despite an Inverse Association with Total Adiposity in Lean and Severely Obese Patients. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166138. [PMID: 27902700 PMCID: PMC5130198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Lactoferrin (Lf) is an important protein found on mucosal surfaces, within neutrophils and various cells, and in biological fluids. It displays multiple functions, including iron-binding as well as antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. Although Lf ingestion has been suggested to cause adiposity reduction in murine models and humans, its relationship with insulin resistance (IR) has not been studied thoroughly. Objective To establish the association between circulating Lf levels, glucose status and blood lipid/lipoprotein profile. Methods Two independent cohorts were examined: lean to moderately obese women admitted for gynecological surgery (n = 53) and severely obese subjects undergoing biliopancreatic diversion (n = 62). Results Although body mass index (BMI) and total body fat mass were negatively associated with Lf, IR (assessed by the HOMA-IR index) was positively and independently associated with plasma Lf concentrations of the first cohort of lean to moderately obese women. These observations were validated in the second cohort in view of the positive correlation between plasma Lf concentrations and the HOMA-IR index, but without a significant association with the body mass index (BMI) of severely obese subjects. In subsamples of severely obese subjects matched for sex, age and BMI, but with either relatively low (1.89 ± 0.73) or high (13.77 ± 8.81) IR states (according to HOMA-IR), higher plasma Lf levels were noted in insulin-resistant vs insulin-sensitive subjects (P<0.05). Finally, Lf levels were significantly higher in lean to moderately obese women than in severely obese subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion Our findings revealed that plasma Lf levels are strongly associated with IR independently of total adiposity, which suggests an intriguing Lf regulation mechanism in conditions of obesity and IR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Mayeur
- Research Centre CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alain Veilleux
- Research Centre CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yves Pouliot
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benoît Lamarche
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Beaulieu
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frédéric S. Hould
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Denis Richard
- Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Quebec, Canada
| | - André Tchernof
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emile Levy
- Research Centre CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF), Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Nutrition, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Hung CM, Yeh CC, Chen HL, Lai CW, Kuo MF, Yeh MH, Lin W, Tu MY, Cheng HC, Chen CM. Porcine lactoferrin administration enhances peripheral lymphocyte proliferation and assists infectious bursal disease vaccination in native chickens. Vaccine 2010; 28:2895-902. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2009] [Revised: 01/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Yen CC, Lin CY, Chong KY, Tsai TC, Shen CJ, Lin MF, Su CY, Chen HL, Chen CM. Lactoferrin as a natural regimen for selective decontamination of the digestive tract: recombinant porcine lactoferrin expressed in the milk of transgenic mice protects neonates from pathogenic challenge in the gastrointestinal tract. J Infect Dis 2009; 199:590-8. [PMID: 19125673 DOI: 10.1086/596212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nosocomial infection with antibiotic-resistant strains is a major threat to critical care medicine. Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) is one of the strategies used to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia and sepsis in critically ill patients. In the present study, we performed pathogenic challenges of the digestive tract in a transgenic milk-fed animal model to test whether porcine lactoferrin (pLF) is an effective SDD regimen. METHODS Transgenic mice expressing recombinant pLF in their milk at a mean+/-SD concentration of 120+/-13.6 mg/L during the lactation stage fed normal CD-1 mice pups for 4 weeks. The pups were subsequently challenged with pathogenic Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. RESULTS Compared with the control groups fed wild-type (normal) milk, the groups fed pLF-enriched milk demonstrated statistically significant improvements in weight gain; lower bacterial numbers in intestinal fluid, blood, and liver; healthier microvilli in the small intestine; and alveoli in the lungs. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that oral administration of pLF-enriched milk to mice led to broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in the digestive tract and protected the mucosa of the small intestine from injury, implying that pLF can be used as an effective SDD regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ching Yen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
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Wu SC, Chen HL, Yen CC, Kuo MF, Yang TS, Wang SR, Weng CN, Chen CM, Cheng WTK. Recombinant porcine lactoferrin expressed in the milk of transgenic mice enhances offspring growth performance. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2007; 55:4670-7. [PMID: 17489602 DOI: 10.1021/jf063759o] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The European Commission has proposed a permanent ban on the use of antibiotics as an ingredient in animal feed to promote growth. Lactoferrin is a globular multifunctional protein that has been shown to play a role in iron absorption and to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, lactoferrin may serve as a nontherapeutic alternative to antibiotics in livestock husbandry. As a pilot study toward this goal, transgenic mice have been generated harboring a porcine lactoferrin (pLF) gene driven by the mammary gland-specific promoter of the bovine alpha-lactalbumin (alphaLA) gene. The alphaLA-pLF hybrid gene was confirmed to have been successfully integrated and transmitted stably through the germ-line in 9 (5 females and 4 males) of 14 transgenic founders. In the female progenies of six lines analyzed, the transgene copy numbers ranged from 1 to 20 with 1-4 integration sites. Significant levels of pLF protein in milk ranging from 40 to 106 microg/mL with physical characteristics similar to those of native pLF in sow's milk were achieved in three of the transgenic lines obtained. Tissue- and stage-specific pLF expressions were restricted to the mammary gland of the transgenic female mice during lactation. It was further demonstrated that the growth performance of animal pups is enhanced by directly feeding the genetically engineered milk containing enriched pLF protein in transgenic mice. Furthermore, this enhanced growth performance in suckling mice was proportional to the concentration of pLF present in milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinn-Chih Wu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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Prenner ML, Prgomet C, Sauerwein H, Pfaffl MW, Broz J, Schwarz FJ. Effects of lactoferrin feeding on growth, feed intake and health of calves. Arch Anim Nutr 2007; 61:20-30. [PMID: 17361945 DOI: 10.1080/17450390600973675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Lactoferrin (LF) exhibits a broad spectrum of anti-microbial properties and may have regulatory functions in the immune system. In the present study, 40 calves (20 males, 20 females) were used to examine the effects of supplemental bovine LF added to colostrum and milk replacer (at 0.16%) on health, weight development and feed intake during a 70-day experimental period. The calves were allocated to a treatment group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20); the groups were balanced in terms of sex, live weight and date of birth. Body weight and feed intake were measured at regular intervals. Blood and colostrum samples were collected to determine the content of IgG. In addition, colostrum and milk replacer samples were analysed for their LF concentrations. Significantly higher IgG values were observed in the LF treated than in the control group during the entire feeding experiment from week 2 to week 6. Calves receiving LF had less days of disease with less serious cases of diarrhoea than the control group. Body weight and feed intake were not significantly different between the treatments; in male calves LF-treated animals tended towards higher weight gains. This study indicates that LF is advantageous for health and may therefore be a beneficial supplement in the diets for neonatal calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria L Prenner
- Department of Animal Sciences, Technische Universität München Weihenstephan, Germany
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