Effects
of orally administered bovine lactoferrin on the immune system of
healthy volunteers.
Yamauchi K, Wakabayashi
H, Hashimoto S, Teraguchi S, Hayasawa H, Tomita M
Adv Exp Med Biol 1998 443:261-5
Adv Exp Med Biol
? Volume 443
:Abstract
A protective effect of bovine lactoferrin (Lf) during lethal bacteraemia
has been reported in mice. Also, protective effects of orally administered
bovine Lf have been reported in cases of intractable stomatitis in
cats and Cryptocaryon irritans infection in red sea bream.
In this study,
we examined the effects of orally administered bovine Lf on the immune
system of healthy volunteers. Ten healthy male volunteers (age range
of 31 to 55 years old) were given bovine Lf (2 g/body/day) for 4 weeks.
Blood samples were drawn before, during and after administration of
Lf. Phagocytic activity and superoxide production activity of polymorphonuclear
leukocytes (PMN) were evaluated from the number of PMN phagocytizing
polymer particles and by the dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) oxidation
assay, respectively.
The expression
levels of CD11b, CD16 and CD56 molecules on leukocytes were quantified
using flow cytometry. The phagocytic activity of PMN increased during
the period of Lf administration in 3 of the 10 volunteers. In 2 of
the 3 volunteers in which the phagocytic activity increased, PMN expressed
CD16 at higher levels corresponding to the increase in 3 of the 10
volunteers, whereas the CD11b+ lymphocytes and CD56+ lymphocytes increased
in 4 volunteers including the same 3 volunteers who showed an increase
in CD16+.
These results
suggest that the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells among the
lymphocytes might have increased in these subjects. It was demonstrated
that the phagocytic activity or superoxide production activity of
PMN or the proportions of CD11b+, CD16+ and CD56+ in lymphocytes was
influenced by Lf administration in 7 of the 10 volunteers, while the
effects of Lf on the immune system differed in individual cases. These
results suggest that Lf administration may influence primary activation
of the host defense system.
MeSH
Administration,
Oral; Adult; Animal; Antigens, CD; Cats; Cattle; Human; Immune System;
Killer Cells, Natural; Lactoferrin; Lymphocyte Transformation; Male;
Mice; Middle Age; Neutrophils; Phagocytosis
Author Address
Nutritional Science Laboratory, Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.,
Kanagawa, Japan.
Articles
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