Lactoferrin reduces colitis in rats via modulation of the immune system and correction of cytokine imbalance.
Natural immunomodulator lactoferrin is known to exert an anti-inflammatory effect. However, there have been no studies that examine the mode of action of lactoferrin in reducing intestinal damage. We investigated the effect of lactoferrin on a trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model in rats. Bovine lactoferrin was given once daily through gavage, starting 3 days before (preventive mode) or just after TNBS administration (treatment mode) until death. The distal colon was removed to be examined. Colitis was attenuated by lactoferrin via both modes in a dose-dependent manner, as reflected by improvement in macroscopic and histological scores and myeloperoxidase activity. Lactoferrin caused significant induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, significant reductions in the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-1beta, and downregulation of the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway. We concluded that lactoferrin exerts a protective effect against colitis in rats via modulation of the immune system and correction of cytokine imbalance. Lactoferrin has potential as a new therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease.
Togawa
Jun-Ichi
J
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan. j_togawa@med.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Nagase
Hajime
H
Tanaka
Katsuaki
K
Inamori
Masahiko
M
Umezawa
Tadashi
T
Nakajima
Atsushi
A
Naito
Makoto
M
Sato
Shinobu
S
Saito
Toshifumi
T
Sekihara
Hisahiko
H
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003092:Colitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; D007781:Lactoferrin