Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Feb;95(1):22-30.
doi: 10.1139/bcb-2016-0066. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Lactoferrin and prematurity: a promising milk protein?

Theresa J Ochoa  1   2 , Stéphane V Sizonenko  3
Affiliations
Review

Lactoferrin and prematurity: a promising milk protein?

Theresa J Ochoa et al. Biochem Cell Biol. 2017 Feb.

Abstract

Lactoferrin (Lf) is the major whey protein in milk, with multiple beneficial health effects including direct antimicrobial activities, anti-inflammatory effects, and iron homeostasis. Oral Lf supplementation in human preterm infants has been shown to reduce the incidence of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. In preclinical models of antenatal stress and perinatal brain injury, bovine Lf protected the developing brain from neuronal loss, improved connectivity, increased neurotrophic factors, and decreased inflammation. It also supported brain development and cognition. Further, Lf can prevent preterm delivery by reducing proinflammatory factors and inhibiting premature cervix maturation. We review here the latest research on Lf in the field of neonatology.

Keywords: brain; cerveau; infection; lactoferrin; lactoferrine; prematurity; prématurité.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential protective mechanisms of lactoferrin in preterm infants against infection and NEC
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential protective mechanisms of lactoferrin in preterm developmental brain injury
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Adams-Chapman I, Stoll BJ. Neonatal infection and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in the preterm infant. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2006;19(3):290–297. doi: 10.1097/01.qco.0000224825.57976.87. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Akin IM, Atasay B, Dogu F, Okulu E, Arsan S, Karatas HD, Ikinciogullari A, Turmen T. Oral lactoferrin to prevent nosocomial sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis of premature neonates and effect on T-regulatory cells. Am J Perinatol. 2014;31(12):1111–1120. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1371704. - DOI - PubMed
    1. An L, Sato H, Konishi Y, Walker DG, Beach TG, Rogers J, Tooyama I. Expression and localization of lactotransferrin messenger RNA in the cortex of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosci Lett. 2009;452(3):277–280. doi: S0304-3940(09)00144-X [pii] 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.01.071. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Artym J, Zimecki M, Kruzel ML. Effect of lactoferrin on the methotrexate-induced suppression of the cellular and humoral immune response in mice. Anticancer Res. 2004a;24(6):3831–3836. - PubMed
    1. Artym J, Zimecki M, Kruzel ML. Enhanced clearance of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in mice treated with cyclophosphamide and lactoferrin. Int Immunopharmacol. 2004b;4(9):1149–1157. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2004.05.002. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types