Beneficial Effect Of Lactoferrin On The Microbiota From Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

Our organism is colonized by trillions of symbiotic bacteria. The most numerous and varied bacterial population colonizes colon, upper respiratory airways and urogenital system. They act multidirectionally supporting our health. Symbiotic microbiota helps in acquirement of nutrients, regulates action of the immune system protecting mucosa and whole organism against pathogens, neutralizes some xenobiotics, thus acts as a preventive measure against carcinogenic mutations. This beneficial microbiota may be supported by uptake of probiotics and/or prebiotics in foods, diet supplements and drugs. They can be found in milk and dairy products, in particular fermented ones (e.g kefir, yoghurt and cheese), which contain both probiotics and prebiotics, including lactoferrin. This protein has a confirmed action promoting growth of symbiotic microbiota of intestine and urogenital tract. Such activity, associated with antimicrobial action regarding pathogenic microorganisms, restores equilibrium of microbiota within mucous membranes that effectively eliminates pathogens and inflammatory processes. Youngest children are supported by lactoferrin acquired with maternal milk. Later we can relay on our own, endogenous proteins, secreted by mucous membranes and neutrophils and supply of dairy products (not subjected to aggressive thermal processing) or diet supplements. We can find in the market the products containing lactoferrin alone, with another prebiotic, e.g inulin or oligosaccharides, and also with probiotics. Orally taken lactoferrin is effective as proved in a number of clinical studies. The protein is relatively resistant to digestion, may reach intestine, where acts on gut microbiota and local lymphoid tissue. In this way lactoferrin may enhance immunological status of our mucous system. 1. Introduction. 2. Gut microbiota. 3. Lactoferrin in gastrointestinal tract. 4. Prebiotic activity in gastrointestinal tract – in vitro tests. 5. Prebiotic activity in gastrointestinal tract – in vivo tests. 6. Lactoferrin in diet and nutritional supplements. 7. Summary

Antimicrobial and Prebiotic Activity of Lactoferrin in the Female Reproductive Tract: A Comprehensive Review

“…Our diet is a valuable source of probiotics and prebiotics, including fermented milk products that, apart from probiotic bacteria, contain numerous elements promoting their growth (e.g., lactose, oligosaccharides, α-lactoalbumin, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin) [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Lactoferrin (LF, LTF) is a pleiotropic glycoprotein that is universally present in the organisms of mammals.…”

“…To date, via numerous investigations, 20 various physiological roles of LF have been confirmed [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. One of these is a prebiotic action on beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal and genital tract [ 2 , 12 ].…”

Lactoferrin for Prevention and Treatment of Anemia and Inflammation in Pregnant Women: A Comprehensive Review

“…Interestingly, LTF also has a prebiotic property protecting and stimulating growth of symbiotic bacteria in the gut and reproductive organs [ 40 , 57 , 58 ]. Supplementation of LTF also improves gut barrier function (by increasing expression of intestinal barrier proteins including ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1 and E-cadherin), preventing LPS translocation and following inflammation [ 59 , 60 ].…”

“…Oral management is safe, practical and the most desirable way of BLTF application, although other methods of administering BLTF include intravenous, intraperitoneal, intravaginal, intranasal, sublingual and on the wound [ 66 ]. BLTF demonstrates additive/synergistic activity with clinically used anti-infective (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasite) compounds [ 43 ] and with probiotic strains of bacteria [ 57 , 58 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no studies that report interaction of BLTF as a dietary supplement with any other drugs on the market.…”

“…Orally administered LTF (as native peptide or partially digested) may reach the intestine where it interacts with the microbiota, epithelium and gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), activated by LTF immune cells or/and released cytokines reached by circulation in the major organs, affecting the function of other immunocompetent cells. In this way LTF may augment the immunity of all mucous membranes (eyes, gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive tracts and airways) protecting against penetration of pathogens and development of excessive inflammation [ 58 , 112 ]. LTF, applied orally to rats, altered expression of numerous genes, such as genes coding for IL-1β, TNF-α, TNF-β and cellular receptors CD40L, CD80, IL-5R on peripheral blood leukocytes, similarly to the effects of intravenously administered LTF [ 113 ].…”