title: Protective effect of lactoferrin on acute acid reflux-induced esophageal mucosal damage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The natural immunomodulator lactoferrin is known to possess anti-inflammatory effects. However, there have been no studies examining the mode of action of lactoferrin in protecting the esophageal mucosa against damage. We investigated the effect of lactoferrin on gastric acid secretion and in protecting against acute acid reflux-induced esophagitis in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks, weighing 210-240 g, were used for all the experiments. A gastric perfusion system was installed using the method of Ghosh et al. Lactoferrin was administered once via the caudate vein, starting 24 hours before an acute acid reflux (treatment mode), or saline (control). Statistical comparison of the parameters between the two test conditions was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in basal or stimulated gastric acid secretion, or in the serum gastrin level were observed between the two test conditions. Esophageal damage was attenuated by lactoferrin in a dose-dependent manner, as reflected by the improvement in the esophageal tissue weight and macroscopic scores. Significant reductions in the histological scores, myeloperoxidase activity and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β were also observed following lactoferrin administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that lactoferrin exerts a protective effect against acute acid reflux-induced esophageal damage in rats.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inamori
authors.forename: Jun-ichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Togawa
authors.forename: Shuhei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harad
authors.forename: Mizue
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iida
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akimoto
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nonaka
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koide
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ida
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kusakabe
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagase
authors.forename: Shizuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tominaga
authors.forename: Katsuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gotoh
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maeda
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004947:Esophagus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005755:Gastrins / Q000097:blood; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D005755:Gastrins; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020011:Protective Agents; D007781:Lactoferrin