Dietary Lactoferrin Alleviates Age-Related Lacrimal Gland Dysfunction in Mice

Abstract

BackgroundDecrease in lacrimal gland secretory function is related to age-induced dry eye disease. Lactoferrin, the main glycoprotein component of tears, has multiple functions, including anti-inflammatory effects and the promotion of cell growth. We investigated how oral administration of lactoferrin affects age-related lacrimal dysfunction.Methods and FindingsTwelve-month-old male C57BL/6Cr Slc mice were randomly divided into a control fed group and an oral lactoferrin treatment group. Tear function was measured at a 6-month time-point. After euthanasia, the lacrimal glands were subjected to histological examination with 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) antibodies, and serum concentrations of 8-OHdG and hexanoyl-lysine adduct (HEL) were evaluated. Additionally, monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression levels were determined by real-time PCR. The volume of tear secretion was significantly larger in the treated group than in the control. Lactoferrin administration reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and the MCP-1 and TNF-α expression levels. Serum concentrations of 8-OHdG and HEL in the lactoferrin group were lower than those in the control group and were associated with attenuated 8-OHdG immunostaining of the lacrimal glands.ConclusionOral lactoferrin administration preserves lacrimal gland function in aged mice by attenuating oxidative damage and suppressing subsequent gland inflammation.

Age Distribution of Various Corneal Diseases in China by Histopathological Examination of 3112 Surgical Specimens

“…The prevalence of any corneal disease by age was low in early and later life stages. Of the corneal disease patients, fewer than 8% were aged 20 or younger (5.85% for those aged 0-9 and 7.04% for those aged [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], only 4.53% were aged 70 to 79 years, and only 1% were 80 and older. Most of the patients with corneal disease were aged between 30 and 59 years, with 16.29% at 30 to 39 years, peaking at 22.04% for ages 40 to 49, and remained high at ages 50 to 59 (21.05%).…”

“…Corneal degeneration (3.90%), chemical burn (3.55%), and corneal dystrophy (3.19%) all occurred among those aged 20 to 29 years (Table 6; P < 0.01). Other common noninfectious corneal diseases, such as staphyloma (1.83%), keratoconus (21.29%), and corneal leucoma (10.96%) occurred in younger age groups (ages [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. The highest incidence of perforating injury (1.65%) was observed among those aged 0 to 9 years.…”

The Antiaging Approach for the Treatment of Dry Eye

“…7). 53,54 Oxidative stress of the ocular surface may be controlled by other key molecules found in tear fluid such as prealbumin, selenoprotein, and other proteins. [55][56][57][58] …”

Bovine lactoferrin reduces visceral fat and liver triglycerides in ICR mice

“…Several studies have already reported the beneficial effects of bLF on lipid metabolism in animals. Kawashima et al reported that 2 LF dietary supplementation significantly reduced serum non-esterified FA NEFA levels in 10-month-old C57BL/6Cr mice 7 while Takeuchi et al showed that bLF improved many lipid metabolism-related parameters 8 .…”