Lactoferrin Modulates Induction of Transcription Factor c-Fos in Neuronal Cultures

Lactoferrin Has a Protective Effect on Mouse Brain Cells after Acute Gamma Irradiation of the Head

We studied the effect of human lactoferrin on cells of the hippocampal dentate gyrus of 2-2.5-month-old male C57BL/6 mice after acute gamma irradiation of the head in a dose of 8 Gy from a 60Co source. Immediately after irradiation some animals received an intraperitoneal injection of human lactoferrin (4 mg/mouse). The appearance of TUNEL+ cells in the subgranular zone 6 h after irradiation was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the number of Ki-67- and DCX-immunoreactive cells. Administration of lactoferrin had a protective effect on mouse brain cells, which manifested in a decrease in the number of TUNEL+ cells (by 77% relative to the irradiation alone) and an increase in the number of proliferating cells (from 16 to 61% relative to control animals) and immature neurons (from 14 to 22% relative to control animals) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.

Genetic and Molecular Regulations of Neuronal Activity

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) focuses on 'Genetic and Molecular Regulations of Neuronal Activity' [...].