Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin promotes intestinal health by scavenging iron and balancing healthy flora in the G.I. tract. By modulating healthy levels of iron in the body, Lactoferrin plays a key role in maintaining overall health. Some in vitro studies suggest that lactoferrin acts synergistically with antifungal agents.
 

Description

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that belongs to the iron transporter or transferrin family. It was originally isolated from bovine milk, where it is found as a minor protein component of whey proteins (see Whey Proteins). Lactoferrin contains 703 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 80 kilodaltons. In addition to its presence in milk, it is also found in exocrine secretions of mammals and is released from neutrophil granules during inflammation.

Lactoferrin is considered a multifunctional or multi-tasking protein. It appears to play several biological roles. Owing to its iron-binding properties, lactoferrin is thought to play a role in iron uptake by the intestinal mucosa of the suckling neonate. That is, it appears to be the source of iron for breast-fed infants. It also appears to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities.

Three isoforms of lactoferrin have been isolated: lactoferrin-alpha, lactoferrin-beta and lactoferrin-gamma. Lactoferrin-beta and lactoferrin-gamma have RNase activity, whereas lactoferrin-alpha does not. Receptors for lactoferrin are found in monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils, intestinal tissue and on certain bacteria. Lactoferrin is abbreviated LF and Lf. Bovine lactoferrin is abbreviated bLF.

Bovine lactoferrin, derived from whey proteins, is marketed as a nutritional supplement. Supplemental lactoferrin typically contains low amounts of iron.

How it works

The possible antibacterial activity of supplemental lactoferrin might be accounted for, in part, by its ability to strongly bind iron. Iron is essential to support the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Lactoferrin may also inhibit the attachment of bacteria to the intestinal wall. A breakdown product of lactoferrin is the peptide lactoferricin. Lactoferricin, classified as a bioactive peptide, may also have antibacterial, as well as antiviral, activity. The possible antiviral activity of supplemental lactoferrin may be due to its inhibition of virus-cell fusion and viral entry into cells.

A few mechanisms are proposed for lactoferrin's possible immunomodulatory activity. Lactoferrin may promote the growth and differentiation of T lymphocytes. Lactoferrin appears to bind uniquely in the region of major histocompatability (MHC) proteins and the CD4 and CD8 determinants on T4 (helper) and T8 (suppressor) lymphocytes; it bears sequence homologies with the MHC Class II determinant. 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.

Lactoferrin's possible antioxidant activity can also be accounted for by its ability to strongly bind iron. Free iron is a major contributor to the generation of reactive oxygen species via the Fenton reaction.

Lactoferrin's possible anti-inflammatory action may be accounted for by its possible antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities.

Little is known of the pharmacokinetics of oral lactoferrin. Lactoferrin appears much more resistant to proteolytic action than most dietary proteins. Lactoferrin is digested in the intestine to the bioactive peptide lactoferricin. Most of the possible actions of oral lactoferrin may be confined to the gut. There is some preliminary evidence that lactoferrin and lactoferricin may be absorbed, in part, from the lumen of the small intestine into enterocytes and that these molecules enter other cells as well. However, this is unclear.

Benefits In Summary

A number of in vitro and animal studies have shown that lactoferrin has various bactericidal and fungicidal effects. It has exhibited significant activity against Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphyloccocus aureus, Candida albicans and other pathogens in these studies. In vitro, lactoferrin has similarly shown some significant activity against HIV, herpes simplex virus type 1, hepatitis C virus, cytomegalovirus and some other viruses.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid using lactoferrin supplements.

 Click here for further reading on Lactoferrin in an article on Lactoferrin by Geoff Kwait, Ph.D. This article is from http://intelegen.com

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Suggested Usage Southern Country Lactoferrin.

Adults - Take 2 x 250mg capsules per day as a conditioning dose, one in the morning and one at night for a month or two then drop back to 1 x x250mg capsule per day.