Lactoferrin protects against concanavalin A-induced liver injury in mice.
BACKGROUND
Liver diseases, caused by viral infection, autoimmune conditions, alcohol ingestion or the use of certain drugs, are a significant health issue, as many can develop into liver failure. Lactoferrin (Lac) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family. Owing to its multiple biological functions, Lac has been evaluated in a number of clinical trials to treat infections, inflammation and cancer.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to reveal a profound hepatoprotective effect of Lac, using a mouse model of Concanavalin A (Con A)-induced hepatitis, which mimics the pathophysiology of human viral and autoimmune hepatitis.


METHODS
C57Bl/6J mice were injected with bovine Lac following Con A challenge. The effects of Lac on interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 expression were determined. The roles of Lac on T-cell apoptosis and activation, and leukocytes infiltration were examined.


RESULTS
The data demonstrated that the protective effect of Lac was attributed to its ability to inhibit T-cell activation and production of IFN-gamma, as well as to suppress IL-4 production by hepatic natural killer T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate a great therapeutic potential of Lac in treating in treating inflammatory hepatitis and possibly other inflammatory diseases.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
Hao
H
Yin
Linling
L
Cheng
Chapla
C
Agarwal
Rajesh
R
Agarwal
Cynthia
C
Ju
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003208:Concanavalin A; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007372:Interferons; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011336:Probability; D011897:Random Allocation; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects
D016207:Cytokines; D003208:Concanavalin A; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007372:Interferons; D007781:Lactoferrin