Health, wellness, Disease Prevention Advanced Health and Life Extension
| Home | Articles

Life Extension Foundation Supersale
Affiliate Disclosure: Purchasing products through links on this website will earn the author a commission at no additional cost to the purchaser.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is a minor glycoprotein component of whey. It belongs to the iron transporter or transferrin family of glycoproteins. Lactoferrin is also found in exocrime secretions from mammals and is released from neutrophil granules during inflammation. The lactoferrin concentration in bovine (cows) milk is only 0.5% to 1.0% while human breast milk can contain as much as 15% lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin plays several important roles in human biology. First, Lactoferrin is believed to play a role in the uptake and absorption of iron through the intestinal mucosa. It may be the primary or sole source of iron for breast fed infants. Second, Lactoferrin appears to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities.

How Lactoferrin Works

Receptors for lactoferrin are found in monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, intestinal tissue and on certain bacteria. Lactoferrins ability to bind iron may account for some of its anti-bacterial activity. Iron is essential to support the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Lactoferrin may also inhibit the attachment of bacteria to the intestinal wall.

The possible antiviral activity of supplemental lactoferrin may be due to its inhibition of virus-cell fusion and viral entry into cells. It is believed that Lactoferrin may promote the growth and differentiation of T lymphocytes. Lactoferrin appears to bind uniquely to sites on the T4 (helper) and T8 (suppressor) lymphocytes. Lactoferrin also appears to play a role in the regulation of cytokines and lymphokines, such as tumor necrosis (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6.

Lactoferrin's possible antioxidant activity may also contribute to its possible immunomodulatory activity. Antioxidants are getting increasing attention as possible therapeutic agents in infections and a variety of other diseases. Lactoferrin's ability to bind iron probably contributes to both its antioxidant properties and its antibacterial action. Free iron is a contributor in the generation of free radicals.

Lactoferrin Research Summary

Lactoferrin has exhibited significant activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphyloccocus aureus, Candida albicans, HIV, herpes simplex type 1, hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus and other pathogens in vitro (in a lab dish) studies. Human studies, however, are almost entirely lacking.

Lactoferrin Contraindications, Interactions & Precautions

Some individuals may have a hypersensitivity or allergy to lactoferrin. It is contraindicated for those individuals. It is generally recommended that pregnant women and nursing mothers avoid using lactoferrin because it has not been tested in these conditions.Some in vitro studies suggest that lactoferrin acts synergistically with antifungal agents, making them more potent.

Lactoferrin Dosage

Oral lactoferrin dosed at 40 mg daily has been used in a couple of clinical trials. Those who supplement with lactoferrin typically take 250 mg daily.

Lactoferrin Supplements

Here are some recommended Lactoferrin Supplementss.

Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin References

Click to Expand References

Adamik B, Zimecki M, Wlaszczyk A, et al. Lactoferrin effects on the in vitro immune response in critically ill patients. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warcz). 1998; 46:169-176.

Baveye S, Elass E, Mazurier J, et al. Lactoferrin: a multifunctional glycoprotein involved in the modulation of the inflammatory process. Clin Chem Lab Med. 1999; 37:281-286.

Bhimani RS, Vendrov Y, Furmanski P. Influence of lactoferrin feeding and injection against systemic staphylococcal infections in mice. J Appl Microbiol 1999 Jan;86(1):135-44.

Britigan BE, Serody JS, Cohen MS. The role of lactoferrin as an anti-inflammatory molecule. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1994; 357:143-156. Defer MC, Dugas B, Picard O, Damais C. Impairment of circulating lactoferrin in HIV-1 infection. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) 1995 May;41(3):417-21.

Dial EJ, Hall LR, Serna H, Romero JJ, Fox JG, Lichtenberger LM. Antibiotic properties of bovine lactoferrin on Helicobacter pylori. Dig Dis Sci 1998 Dec;43(12):2750-6.

Harmsen MC, Swart PJ, de Bethune MP, Pauwels R, De Clercq E, The TH, Meijer DK. Antiviral effects of plasma and milk proteins: lactoferrin shows potent activity against both human immunodeficiency virus and human cytomegalovirus replication in vitro. J Infect Dis 1995 Aug;172(2):380-8.

Ikeda M, Nozak A, Sugiyama K, et al. Characterization of antiviral activity of lactoferrin against hepatitis C virus infection in human cultured cells. Virus Res. 2000; 66:51-63.

Kruzel ML, Harari Y, Chen CY, Castro GA. The gut. A key metabolic organ protected by lactoferrin during experimental systemic inflammation in mice. Adv Exp Med Biol 1998;443:167-73.

Kuwata H, Yip TT, Tomita M, Hutchens TW. Direct evidence of the generation in human stomach of an antimicrobial peptide domain (lactoferricin) from ingested lactoferrin. Biochim Biophys Acta 1998 Dec 8;1429(1):129-41.

Lee WJ, Farmer JL, Hilty M, Kim YB. The Protective Effects of Lactoferrin Feeding against Endotoxin Lethal Shock in Germfree Piglets. Infect Immun Apr. 1999: Vol 66 No 4, 1421-1426.

Levay PF, Viljoen M. Lactoferrin: a general review. Haemtologica. 1995; 80:252-267.

Lonnerdal B, Iyer S. Lactoferrin: molecular structure and biological function. Annu Rev Nutr. 1995; 15:93-110. Muller F, Holberg-Petersen M, Rollag H, Degre M, Brandtzaeg P, Froland SS. Nonspecific oral immunity in individuals with HIV infection. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 1992;5(1):46-51.

Percival M. Intestinal Health. Clin. Nutri. Insights. 1997, Vol 5. No 5, 1-6.

Puddu P, Borghi P, Gessani S, Valenti P, Belardelli F, Seganti L. Antiviral effect of bovine lactoferrin saturated with metal ions on early steps of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 1998 Sep;30(9):1055-62.

Sakamoto N. Antitumor effect of human lactoferrin against newly established human pancreatic cancer cell line SPA. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 1998 Aug;25(10):1557-63.

Stella V, Postaire E. Evaluation of the antiradical protector effect of multifermented milk serum with reiterated dosage in rats. C R Seances Soc Biol Fil 1995;189(6):1191-7.

Superti F, Ammendolia MG, Valenti P, Seganti L. Antirotaviral activity of milk proteins: lactoferrin prevents rotavirus infection in the enterocyte-like cell line HT-29. Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl) 1997 Oct;186(2-3):83-91.

Swart PJ, Kuipers EM, Smit C, et al. Lactoferrin. Antiviral activity of lactoferrin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1998; 443:205-213.

Trumpler U, Straub PW, Rosenmund A. Antibacterial prophylaxis with lactoferrin in neutropenic patients. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1989; 8:310-313.

Tsuda H, Sekine K, Nakamura J, Ushida Y, Kuhara T, Takasuka N, Kim DJ, Asamoto M, Baba-Toriyama H, Moore MA, Nishino H, Kakizoe T. Inhibition of azoxymethane initiated colon tumor and aberrant crypt foci development by bovine lactoferrin administration in F344 rats. Adv Exp Med Biol 1998;443:273-84.

Ushida Y, Sekine K, Kuhara T, Takasuka N, Iigo M, Tsuda H. Inhibitory effects of bovine lactoferrin on intestinal polyposis in the Apc(Min) mouse. Cancer Lett 1998 Dec 25;134(2):141-5.

Vorland LH. Lactoferrin: a multifunctional glycoprotein. APMIS. 1999; 107:971-981.

Vorland LH, Ulvatne H, Andersen J, et al. Antibacterial effects of lactoferricin B. Scand J Infect Dis. 1999; 31:179-184.

Vorland LH, Ulvatne H, Andersen J, Haukland H, Rekdal O, Svendsen JS, Gutteberg TJ. Lactoferricin of bovine origin is more active than lactoferricins of human, murine and caprine origin. Scand J Infect Dis 1998;30(5):513-7.

Yamauchi K, Wakabayashi H, Hashimoto S, Teraguchi S, Hayasawa H, Tomita M. Effects of orally administered bovine lactoferrin on the immune system of healthy volunteers. Adv Exp Med Biol 1998;443:261-5.

Yoo YC, Watanabe S, Watanabe R, Hata K, Shimazaki K, Azuma I. Bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin, a peptide derived from bovine lactoferrin, inhibit tumor metastasis in mice. Jpn J Cancer Res 1997 Feb;88(2):184-90.

Zhang GH, Mann DM, Tsai CM. Neutralization of endotoxin in vitro and in vivo by a human lactoferrin-derived peptide. Infect Immun 1999 Mar;67(3):1353-8.


Back to Top

Life Extension  Daily News
Anti-Aging
Nutrition
News
Life Extension  Disease Prevention and Treatment Protocols
Life Extension
Health
Protocols


Home |   All Site Articles |   Health Research ResourcesLife Extension Foundation Protocols |   Privacy Policy |  


Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained from a medical professional. The author and publisher are not providing medical, psychological, or nutritional counseling services. Liability for individual actions based upon the contents of this site is expressly disclaimed. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the U.S. FDA.

Affiliate Disclosure: The website author will earn an affiliate commission if you purchase any products from any of the links on this site. There is no additional cost to the purchaser.



© copyright 2022 Clear Springs Press, LLC. All rights reserved.