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
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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