lactoferrin and Chronic-Disease

Lactoferrin, a normal component of human colostrum and milk, can enhance host defenses and may be effective for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm neonates.. To assess the safety and effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds for prevention of sepsis and NEC in preterm neonates. Secondarily, we assessed the effects of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds on the duration of positive-pressure ventilation, development of chronic lung disease (CLD) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), length of hospital stay to discharge among survivors, and adverse neurological outcomes at two years of age or later.. We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to update our search. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL 2019, Issue 9), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 20 January 2020), PREMEDLINE (1996 to 20 January 2020), Embase (1980 to 20 January 2020), and CINAHL (1982 to 20 January 2020). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and the reference lists of retrieved articles for randomized controlled trials and quasi-randomized trials.. In our search, we included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating enteral lactoferrin supplementation at any dose or duration to prevent sepsis or NEC in preterm neonates.. We used the standard methods of Cochrane Neonatal and the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.. Meta-analysis of data from twelve randomized controlled trials showed that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds decreased late-onset sepsis (typical RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.91; typical RD -0.04, 95% CI, -0.06, -0.02; NNTB 25, 95% CI 17 to 50; 12 studies, 5425 participants, low-certainty evidence) and decreased length of hospital stay (MD -2.38, 95% CI, -4.67, -0.09; 3 studies, 1079 participants, low-certainty evidence). Sensitivity analysis including only good methodological certainty studies suggested a decrease in late-onset sepsis with enteral lactoferrin supplementation (typical RR 0.87, 95% CI, 0.78, 0.97; typical RD -0.03, 95% CI, -0.05, -0.0; 9 studies, 4702 participants, low-certainty evidence). There were no differences in NEC stage II or III (typical RR 1.10, 95% CI, 0.86, 1.41; typical RD -0.00, 95% CI, -0.02, 0.01; 7 studies, 4874 participants; low-certainty evidence) or 'all-cause mortality' (typical RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.69, 1.17; typical RD -0.00, 95% CI, -0.01, 0.01; 11 studies, 5510 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). One study reported no differences in neurodevelopmental testing by Mullen's or Bayley III at 24 months of age after enteral lactoferrin supplementation (one study, 292 participants, low-certainty evidence). Lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with probiotics decreased late-onset sepsis (RR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.46; RD -0.13, 95% CI -0.18 to -0.08; NNTB 8, 95% CI 6 to 13; 3 studies, 564 participants; low-certainty evidence) and NEC stage II or III (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.62; RD -0.05, 95% CI -0.08 to -0.03; NNTB 20, 95% CI 12.5 to 33.3; 1 study, 496 participants; very low-certainty evidence), but not 'all-cause mortality' (very low-certainty evidence). Lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics had no effect on CLD, duration of mechanical ventilation or threshold retinopathy of prematurity (low-certainty evidence). Investigators reported no adverse effects in the included studies.. We found low-certainty evidence from studies of good methodological quality that lactoferrin supplementation of enteral feeds decreases late-onset sepsis but not NEC ≥ stage II or 'all cause mortality' or neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of age in preterm infants without adverse effects. Low- to very low-certainty evidence suggests that lactoferrin supplementation of enteral feeds in combination with probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC ≥ stage II in preterm infants without adverse effects, however, there were few included studies of poor methodological quality. The presence of publication bias and small studies of poor methodology that may inflate the effect size make recommendations for clinical practice difficult.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Bacterial Infections; Cause of Death; Chronic Disease; Enteral Nutrition; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Mycoses; Numbers Needed To Treat; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retinopathy of Prematurity; Sepsis

Lactoferrin, a normal component of human colostrum and milk, can enhance host defenses and may be effective for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm neonates.. Primary objective 1. To assess the safety and effectiveness of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds for prevention of sepsis and NEC in preterm neonates Secondary objectives 1. To determine the effects of lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds to prevent neonatal sepsis and/or NEC on duration of positive-pressure ventilation, development of chronic lung disease (CLD) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), length of hospital stay to discharge among survivors, and adverse neurological outcomes at two years of age or later2. To determine the adverse effects of lactoferrin supplementation for prophylaxis of neonatal sepsis and/or NECWhen data were available, we analyzed the following subgroups.1. Gestational age < 32 weeks and 32 to 36 weeks2. Birth weight < 1000 g (extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants) and birth weight < 1500 g (very low birth weight (VLBW) infants)3. Type of feeding: breast milk versus formula milk SEARCH METHODS: We used the search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group (CNRG) to update our search in December 2016. We searched the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PREMEDLINE, Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), as well as trial registries and conference proceedings.. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating oral lactoferrin at any dose or duration to prevent sepsis or NEC in preterm neonates.. Review authors used standard methods of the CNRG.. This review includes six RCTs. Trial results show that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds decreased late-onset sepsis (typical risk ratio (RR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40 to 0.87; typical risk difference (RD) -0.06, 95% CI -0.10 to -0.02; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 17, 95% CI 10 to 50; six trials, 886 participants; low-quality evidence) and NEC stage II or III (typical RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.86; typical RD -0.04, 95% CI -0.06 to -0.01; NNTB 25, 95% CI 17 to 100; four studies, 750 participants; low-quality evidence). Lactoferrin supplementation did not have an effect on "all-cause mortality" (typical RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.11; typical RD -0.02, 95% CI -0.05 to 0; six studies, 1041 participants; low-quality evidence).Lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with probiotics decreased late-onset sepsis (RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.60; RD -0.13, 95% CI -0.19 to -0.06; NNTB 8, 95% CI 5 to 17; one study, 321 participants; low-quality evidence) and NEC stage II or III (RR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.62; RD -0.05, 95% CI -0.08 to -0.03; NNTB 20, 95% CI 12.5 to 33.3; one study, 496 participants; low-quality evidence), but not "all-cause mortality" (low-quality evidence).Lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics decreased bacterial and fungal sepsis but not CLD or length of hospital stay (low-quality evidence). Investigators reported no adverse effects and did not evaluate long-term neurological outcomes and PVL.. Evidence of low quality suggests that lactoferrin supplementation to enteral feeds with or without probiotics decreases late-onset sepsis and NEC stage II or III in preterm infants without adverse effects. Completed ongoing trials will provide data from more than 6000 preterm neonates, which may enhance the quality of the evidence. Clarification regarding optimal dosing regimens, types of lactoferrin (human or bovine), and long-term outcomes is needed.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Bacterial Infections; Cause of Death; Chronic Disease; Enteral Nutrition; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Mycoses; Numbers Needed To Treat; Probiotics; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retinopathy of Prematurity; Sepsis

Obesity is a strong predictive factor in the development of chronic disease and has now superseded undernutrition as a major public health issue. Chronic inflammation is one mechanism thought to link excess body weight with disease. Increasingly, the gut and its extensive population of commensal microflora are recognized as playing an important role in the development of obesity-related chronic inflammation. Obesity and a high fat diet are associated with altered commensal microbial communities and increased intestinal permeability which contributes to systemic inflammation as a result of the translocation of lipopolysaccharide into the circulation and metabolic endotoxemia. Various milk proteins are showing promise in the prevention and treatment of obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation via reductions in visceral fat, neutralization of bacteria at the mucosa and reduced intestinal permeability. In this review, we focus on evidence supporting the potential antiobesogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of bovine whey-derived lactoferrin and immunoglobulins.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents; Body Weight; Cattle; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Endotoxemia; Functional Food; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Lipopolysaccharides; Obesity; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Whey

Chronic watery diarrhea poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge and is often a disabling condition for patients. Although acute diarrhea is likely to be caused by infection, the causes of chronic diarrhea (>4 weeks in duration) are more elusive. We review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diarrhea. Drawing on recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of intestinal epithelial transport and barrier function, we discuss how diarrhea can result from a decrease in luminal solute absorption, an increase in secretion, or both, as well as derangements in barrier properties. We also describe the various extraepithelial factors that activate diarrheal mechanisms. Finally, clinical evaluation and tests used in the assessment of patients presenting with chronic diarrhea are reviewed, and an algorithm guiding therapeutic decisions and pharmacotherapy is presented.

Topics: C-Reactive Protein; Chromogranins; Chronic Disease; Diarrhea; Feces; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Inflammation; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestinal Secretions; Intestines; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; Osmolar Concentration; Permeability; Prostaglandins; Serotonin; Substance P

Topics: Antibodies; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Fatty Acids, Essential; Humans; Immunity, Mucosal; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lactoferrin; Lymphocytes; Milk, Human

Lactoferrin is a protein present in many fluids of the human organism and in the secondary granules of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). In the blood stream lactoferrin favours the segregation of PMN by mediating and amplifying the immune response, and realizes a negative feedback control on the Colony Forming Unit Granulocyte/Macrophage (CFU-GM) proliferation. At intestinal level it promotes iron absorption and prevents bacterial overgrowth. The antibacterial effect of lactoferrin is used clinically to prevent bacterial infections in neutropenic patients submitted to chemotherapy for leukemic diseases type M1, M2, M4 and M5, according to FAB criteria. In patients affected by chronic pancreatitis the lactoferrin concentration, in duodenal juice, is found to be significantly higher than in normal subjects. This finding suggests a pathogenetic role of the protein in chronic pancreatitis.

Topics: Bacteria; Chronic Disease; Granulocytes; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lipid Peroxidation; Neoplasms; Neutrophils; Pancreatitis

Lactoferrin (LF)--in various quantities--is present in human milk, secretions and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). LF's significance lies in its bacteriostatic effect on its environment. Probably it prevents bacterial uptake of iron, leads to damage of bacteria and during phagocytosis helps the organism to combat pathogens. Most likely it regulates iron absorption, and during inflammation it takes part in the plasma iron transport. LF is believed to play an important role in the regulation of granulopoiesis in the bone-marrow. From its biological effects it appears that plasma LF determinations may be useful in the clinical diagnosis of leukaemia and other malignant diseases, as well as in the study of iron metabolism.

Topics: Absorption; Animals; Biological Transport; Cell Division; Chronic Disease; Granulocytes; Humans; Inflammation; Iron; Kinetics; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Leukemia, Myeloid; Milk; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis

Topics: Absorption; Anemia; Blood Cells; Chronic Disease; Hematopoiesis; Humans; Immunity; Iron; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Receptors, Cell Surface

The anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is defined as a mild anemia associated with a chronic inflammatory, infectious or neoplastic illness and with a characteristic disturbance of iron metabolism. Many of the findings in ACD can be accounted for by release of a monokine called leukocyte endogenous mediator (LEM), endogenous pyrogen, or interleukin-1. This substance is released from "activated" monocytes. Bacterial endotoxins, certain lymphokines and phagocytic challenges are among the factors stimulating its biosynthesis. LEM induces fever, leukocytosis, biosynthesis. LEM induces fever, leukocytosis, and a variety of biochemical changes, including hypoferremia and alterations in plasma protein synthesis, collectively known as the "acute phase response." It is proposed that ACD results from the long-term elaboration of LEM and that release of this material is the common pathogenetic factor found in the illnesses that are associated with ACD. Some suggestions are made for testing the hypothesis. The hypoferremia associated with ACD is probably caused by defective release of iron from cells--particularly from macrophages, but also from hepatocytes and intestinal epithelium. Two possible mechanisms for this abnormality have been proposed: liberation of lactoferrin from neutrophilic leukocytes and induction of apoferritin synthesis. Neither mechanism has been established. Erythrokinetic studies in ACD have detected a modest reduction of erythrocyte survival without an adequate compensatory increase in the rate of red cell production. The reduced erythrocyte survival is probably related to an increase in phagocytic activity by activated macrophages. Impaired bone marrow response is partly related to the restricted iron supply, but there is substantial evidence for an additional defect in erythropoietin secretion. In some malignant diseases, there is evidence of an additional abnormality: impaired marrow response to a normal amount of erythropoietin. The nature of the erythropoietic defects and the relation of LEM to them remain to be established.

Topics: Anemia; Animals; Apoferritins; Bone Marrow; Chronic Disease; Erythrocyte Aging; Erythropoiesis; Erythropoietin; Ferritins; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Interleukin-1; Iron; Lactoferrin; Macrophages; Mice; Neutrophils; Rabbits; Rats

Topics: Acute Disease; Alcoholism; Calcinosis; Cholecystitis; Chronic Disease; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Kinins; Lactoferrin; Pancreatitis; Protein Biosynthesis; Protein-Energy Malnutrition; Shock; Trypsin; Trypsinogen

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due to gastrointestinal side effects. We compared the effect of lactoferrin versus oral ferrous sulfate for the treatment of IDA in children with IBD.. Ninety-two IBD children with IDA were included but only 80 children completed the study and they were randomized into two groups: ferrous sulfate group (n = 40) who received ferrous sulfate 6 mg/kg/day for 3 months and lactoferrin group (n = 40) who received lactoferrin 100 mg/day for 3 months. Complete blood count, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TS), serum ferritin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and hepcidin 25 were measured before and after the treatment.. Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin significantly increased, while TIBC decreased significantly after the administration of either ferrous sulfate or lactoferrin compared to their baseline data. In addition, lactoferrin significantly increased Hb, serum iron, TS, and serum ferritin compared to ferrous sulfate. Moreover, lactoferrin significantly decreased IL-6 and hepcidin levels.. Lactoferrin is a promising effective treatment with fewer side effects than oral elemental iron in children with IBD and IDA.. The study was registered at www.pactr.org (PACTR202002763901803).. Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is treated with oral iron therapy; however, oral iron supplements are commonly associated with poor compliance due to gastrointestinal side effects. To the best of our knowledge, our study was the first in pediatrics that compared the effect of lactoferrin versus oral ferrous sulfate as an iron supplement for the treatment of IDA in children with IBD. We found that lactoferrin is a promising effective treatment with fewer side effects than oral elemental iron in children with IBD and IDA.

Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Child; Chronic Disease; Female; Ferritins; Ferrous Compounds; Hemoglobins; Hepcidins; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Interleukin-6; Iron; Lactoferrin; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic

Airway inflammation during infection is associated with increased transudation of serum proteins and increased production of protein by the airway epithelium. We therefore, assessed whether Haemophilus influenzae infections in patients with chronic bronchitis are associated with increased levels of transferrin and lactoferrin in the sputum compared to uninfected patients. Sputum sol phase and serum samples from 14 infected and 13 uninfected patients with chronic bronchitis and from 12 bronchial asthma patients were included in the study. The median Q-values (the concentration in sputum sol phase/the concentration in serum) x 10(3) of transferrin appeared increased in chronic bronchitis patients with an H. influenzae infection (26.0, n=13) compared to uninfected controls (9.5, n=11) and bronchial asthma patients (4.5, n=6). The ratio of the Q(transferrin)/Q(albumin) was >1 in infected chronic bronchitis patients, indicating local production of transferrin. Growth of H. influenzae was stimulated more in sputum from infected and uninfected patients with chronic bronchitis than in sputum from patients with bronchial asthma. The concentrations of lactoferrin were not significantly different in infected (n=14) and uninfected (n=13) chronic bronchitis patients and bronchial asthma patients (n=12) (median 137.4, 84.6, 87.1 mg x L(-1), respectively). We conclude that in patients with chronic bronchitis with Haemophilus influenzae infections, the levels of transferrin are increased and the levels of lactoferrin are not associated with infections.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Exudates and Transudates; Female; Haemophilus Infections; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sputum; Transferrin

The mechanisms explaining the beneficial effects of glucocorticoid in ventilator-dependent preterm infants are not known. In the present randomized trial, we evaluated the hypothesis that dexamethasone (DEX) treatment of small, preterm infants at risk for chronic lung disease favorably affects the surfactant system. Twenty-three ventilator-dependent infants, with a mean +/- SD gestational age of 26 +/- 2 wk and a mean birth weight of 836 +/- 173 g, received 1 wk of treatment with either DEX (dose 0.5 mg/kg/d) or placebo beginning at 2 wk of age. The airway specimens were analyzed for surfactant components, surface activity, surfactant inhibitors, and inflammatory mediators. The concentrations of these parameters in epithelial lining fluid were calculated using the urea method. DEX treatment decreased the concentration of nonsedimentable protein in epithelial lining fluid within 3 d (p < 0.05). The nonsedimentable fraction of airway specimens decreased the surface activity of surfactant as a function of protein concentration. At a constant protein concentration, the protein from placebo-treated infants inhibited the surface activity of human surfactant in vitro more than protein from DEX-treated infants (p < 0.05). DEX transiently increased the concentration of surfactant protein-A in epithelial lining fluid but had no effect on surface activity of the sedimentable surfactant complex or on concentrations of phosphatidylcholine, IL-1 beta, lactoferrin, or myeloperoxidase. We conclude that the acute beneficial effect of DEX treatment in preterm ventilator-dependent infants may in part be mediated through a decrease in the concentration of non-sedimentable protein and a decrease in the capacity of this protein to inhibit surface activity.

Topics: Blood Proteins; Chronic Disease; Dexamethasone; Female; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Inflammation; Interleukin-1; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Male; Peroxidase; Pulmonary Surfactants; Risk Factors; Trachea; Treatment Outcome

Chronic bronchitis is associated with airways obstruction and inflammation. In order to determine whether aerosolized beclomethasone can modulate airway inflammation and diminish airway obstruction, subjects with chronic bronchitis performed spirometry and underwent bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) before and after receiving 6 wk of therapy (five puffs four times a day) with either aerosolized beclomethasone (n = 20) or placebo (n = 10) in a double-blinded, randomized fashion. All subjects received aerosolized albuterol before each use of the study medications. Before BAL, the airways were visually assessed for the appearance of inflammation and assigned a score, the bronchitis index. BAL was performed by instilling five 20-ml aliquots of saline into each of three sites and pooling and separately analyzing the returns from the first aliquots to yield a "bronchial sample." The bronchial lavages were repeated in an additional three sites to increase the volume of fluid available for analysis. The fluid was prepared for cytologic examination by cytocentrifugation. Albumin (as a measure of epithelium permeability) and lactoferrin and lysozyme (as measures of serous cell activity) were measured in unconcentrated BAL fluid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and concentrations in epithelial lining fluid were estimated using urea as an internal marker for dilution. After treatment, the beclomethasone group, but not the placebo group, showed improvement in FVC (p = 0.02), FEV1 (p = 0.002), and 25 to 75% forced expiratory flow (p = 0.006). Associated with the improvement in spirometry, the bronchitis index fell (13.5 +/- 1.0 versus 10.75 +/- 1.1, p = 0.02) in the beclomethasone-treated group, but not the placebo-treated group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Adult; Aerosols; Airway Obstruction; Albumins; Beclomethasone; Blood Gas Analysis; Bronchitis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Bronchoscopy; Chronic Disease; Double-Blind Method; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Smoking; Transferrin; Vital Capacity

Increased viscosity and raised lactoferrin, trypsin and protein concentrations in selectively aspirated pancreatic secretion, prompted us to try depot secretin therapy in patients with advanced chronic recurrent pancreatitis without pancreatic duct obstruction or pancreatic pseudocysts. The idea behind this approach was that it might "wash out" the sticky, protease-rich secretion. In a randomized double-blind trial we administered depot secretin at doses of 800 CU by subcutaneous injection twice daily for 7 days. Pancreatic secretion from the treatment group had significantly lower viscosities and lactoferrin and trypsin concentrations than in the placebo group. There was also significant pain relief. Depot secretin therapy appears to offer an alternative approach to the management of advanced chronic recurrent pancreatitis without pancreatic duct obstruction or pseudocysts.

Topics: Amylases; Chronic Disease; Clinical Trials as Topic; Delayed-Action Preparations; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Pain; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Random Allocation; Recurrence; Secretin; Trypsin; Viscosity

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a type of chronic inflammation in the endometrium that is associated with infertility, which is primarily due to implantation failure. Antibiotics are the most common treatment for CE. However, some patients with CE are resistant to antibiotic treatment, while others refuse this treatment. Therefore, we focused on lactoferrin (Lf), which exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and studied its effect on inflammation in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) from patients with CE. Endometrial tissue was collected from patients with CE, and ESCs were isolated and cultured. When ESCs were cultured with bovine lactoferrin (bLf: 1 mg/mL), the mRNA expression of TNF-α (p < 0.05) and IL-1β (p < 0.01) was significantly decreased compared with that in cells cultured without bLf. The level of TNF-α protein in the culture medium was significantly decreased (p < 0.01), while that of IL-1β was also decreased, but not significantly (p < 0.10), when 1 mg/mL of bLf was added to the culture medium. When more inflammation was induced artificially by adding 0.1 ng/mL of TNF-αto ESCs, the addition of bLf (1 mg/mL) to ESCs decreased IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expression to levels similar to those in ESCs without TNF-α treatment. Furthermore, it was revealed that the actions of bLf are mediated by the AKT and MAPK intracellular signaling pathways, which are mechanisms by which the increase in TNF-α-induced cytokine expression is suppressed in ESCs. bLf suppresses the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human ESCs and may be a new therapeutic candidate for CE.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Endometritis; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; RNA, Messenger; Stromal Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

To detect the immunohistochemical changes in the main lacrimal glands of patients suffering from chronic ocular sequelae of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS).. Histological sections of biopsies from the lacrimal gland of three chronic SJS patients (mean age, 33 years; 2 males) with severe dry eye disease (Schirmer = 0 mm) were assessed using double immunofluorescence techniques. Changes in the expression of secretory proteins lactoferrin (Lf), lysozyme (Ly), aquaporin 5 (AQP5), S-100, and early apoptosis marker (Annexin V) were studied.. Different morphological expressions of secretory proteins were present in the three samples. One sample had maintained the immunoreactivity for Lf, Ly, S-100, similar to healthy controls. Two samples had significantly reduced immunoreactivity for anti-Lf, anti-Ly, and S-100, the weakest being in the sample with distorted lobular architecture and mild interlobular fibrosis. AQP5 had a distinct vesicular intracytoplasmic immunoreactivity suggesting defective trafficking and integration of the protein to the apical membrane. There was no S-100 immunostaining in the acinar or ductal epithelium, whereas interstitial nerve fibers scattered in the periacinar region showed reduced immunoreactivity for S-100. There was strong Annexin V immunoreactivity in the nuclei of epithelial cells in the majority of acinar and ductal epithelia of all the samples, with distorted nuclear morphology in one sample.. Defective trafficking of AQP5 and variable expression of Ly, Lf, S-100 are the notable findings in the lacrimal glands of chronic SJS patients along with signs of early apoptosis. It suggests that the palpebral lobe of the lacrimal gland is involved in the pathological processes occurring in the conjunctiva of SJS patients.

Topics: Adult; Annexin A5; Apoptosis; Aquaporin 5; Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Dry Eye Syndromes; Eye Proteins; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Lacrimal Apparatus; Lactoferrin; Male; Muramidase; S100 Proteins; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome; Young Adult

Fecal lactoferrin (FL) levels may mirror drug-induced changes in inflammation in ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease in a timely way and could be used to assess loss of response (LOR) to biologics.. This study is a retrospective outcome review in 61 patients on adalimumab, infliximab, or vedolizumab managed in our center and followed for 6 to 24 months. Patients were 1) in clinical remission or 2) were experiencing possible LOR.. For group 1, in 71% of 31 patients, FL slowly increased during the therapeutic interval (R2 = 0.769; P < 0.001), thus reflecting increasing inflammation as drug concentrations decreased. In the remaining patients, FL was undetectable throughout the therapeutic interval because of a stronger suppression of inflammation. For group 2, in 30 patients negative for infections, FL levels measured 1 to 3 days after infusion/injection compared to preadministration values either increased (nonresponders)-in these patients the medication was switched to another class; partially decreased (partial responders)-the therapeutic interval was shortened; or were normal throughout (responders)-causes for symptoms unrelated to disease activity were found for all. After FL-based management, 3-month standardized clinical scores were normalized in both partial responders (0.58 ± 0.21 vs 0.13 ± 0.09; P < 0.001) and nonresponders (0.81 ± 0.17 vs 0.12 ± 0.08; P < 0.001), and FL levels dropped by up to 99%.. Levels of FL reflect drug-induced changes in mucosal inflammation in a timely way, thus enabling rapid assessment of therapeutic response in patients with ulcerative colitis and with Crohn disease. In patients with suspected LOR, FL levels before and after infusion/injection accurately separated responders, partial responders, and nonresponders. The strategy proposed here is simple, accurate, and easily applicable to clinical practice.

Topics: Adalimumab; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Chronic Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Gastrointestinal Agents; Humans; Inflammation; Infliximab; Lactoferrin; Retrospective Studies

Il profilo di espressione genica multipla rivela una disfunzione epiteliale nella rinosinusite cronica polipoide.. La rinosinusite cronica (CRS) è un disturbo infiammatorio eterogeneo risultante da una complessa interazione genetico-ambientale. Sebbene l’eziologia rimanga tuttora sfuggente, numerosi studi riportano alterazioni nell’espressione genica di diversi fattori implicati nell’ambito della risposta infiammatoria. Tuttavia, la gran parte di queste sono analisi isolate, non replicate, che prendono in considerazione un singolo gene alla volta. Inoltre, gli studi riguardanti analisi di espressione genica multipla, solitamente su mediatori infiammatori (es. citochine), spesso presentano risultati contrastanti, che in parte possono essere dovuti all’eterogeneità dei campioni o a metodologie analitiche di potenza limitata. In quest’ottica, il nostro obiettivo è stato di verificare simultaneamente l’espressione genica di un pannello di geni (AQP5, MUC5AC, CAV1, LTF, COX2, PGDS, TNFα, TGFβ1, MGB1) potenzialmente coinvolti nei meccanismi infiammatori della CRS. Nonostante la gran parte dei campioni sia stata esclusa dall’analisi a causa del deterioramento dell’RNA tissutale, siamo stati in grado di dimostrare una riduzione statisticamente significativa dell’espressione dei geni AQP5, CAV1, LTF e MGB1, in uno specifico sottogruppo di pazienti affetti da CRS nella variante con polipi nasali senza le tipiche comorbidità frequentemente associate (asma, allergia, intolleranza all’acido acetil-salicilico). Questi dati sembrano suggerire una disfunzione della barriera epitaliale nella CRS polipoide. Ulteriori studi saranno necessari per incrementare ulteriormente la nostra conoscenza sulla patogenesi della CRS. A tal proposito l’applicazione delle nuove e più potenti tecniche di sequenziamento, come la next-generation RNA sequencing, e la disponibilità di analisi bioinformatiche più complete potranno migliorare la caratterizzazione del transcriptoma negli endotipi della CRS.. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogeneous inflammatory disorder resulting from a complex gene-environment interaction. Although its aetiology remains elusive, numerous studies reported gene expression alterations of factors apparently implicated in all aspects of the inflammatory response. However, most investigations are limited, unconfirmed analyses of a single gene. Moreover, studies concerning multiple gene expression analyses, usually on inflammatory mediators (e.g. cytokines), show contrasting outcomes in part due to use of heterogeneous samples or methodologies with limited power. In this scenario, our goal was to simultaneously evaluate the expression of a panel of selected genes (AQP5, MUC5AC, CAV1, LTF, COX2, PGDS, TNFα, TGFβ1, MGB1) potentially involved in CRS inflammatory mechanisms. While most of the samples collected were excluded from the analysis because of poor quality RNA, we were able to demonstrate statistically significant downregulation of the AQP5, CAV1, LTF, MGB1 genes in a specific subset of polypoid CRS (patients without typical comorbidities), which might suggest relevant underlying epithelial dysfunction. Further studies are needed to enrich our knowledge on the pathogenesis of CRS. Forthcoming approaches might utilise next-generation RNA sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to better characterise the transcriptome profiles of CRS endotypes.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aquaporin 5; Caveolin 1; Chronic Disease; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cytokines; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Lactoferrin; Mammaglobin A; Middle Aged; Mucin 5AC; Nasal Polyps; Retrospective Studies; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Young Adult

Dry eye disease (DED) currently has no satisfactory treatment partly because of the lack of informative animal models. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory phosphosulindac (PS) for the treatment of DED using a new rabbit model of DED based on the concanavalin A (Con A) acute DED model: we injected all lacrimal glands with Con A weekly under ultrasound guidance, which prolonged DED to >3 weeks, and thoroughly assessed efficacy with tear break-up time (TBUT), tear osmolarity, Schirmer test, and tear lactoferrin levels. Rabbits with DED (n = 8-10 eyes per group) were treated topically with PS or vehicle 3×/day for 21days. PS restored TBUT, tear osmolarity, and lactoferrin levels (P < 0.0001-0.04) to normal but did not significantly improve the results of the Schirmer test. PS showed no side effects and was much more efficacious than cyclosporine or lifitegrast. In the cornea, PS suppressed the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B, the levels of transforming growth factor beta, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8, and the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-9, and MMP activity. Levels of prostaglandin E

Topics: Administration, Ophthalmic; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cells, Cultured; Chronic Disease; Concanavalin A; Cytokines; Dinoprostone; Disease Models, Animal; Dry Eye Syndromes; Humans; Lactoferrin; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Organophosphorus Compounds; Osmolar Concentration; Rabbits; Sulindac; Tears

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging metabolic disease. Although it leads to severe hepatic diseases including steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatic cancer, little is known about therapy to prevent and cure hepatic steatosis, the first step of NAFLD. We conducted this investigation to unveil the mechanism of hepatic steatosis.. We established a novel chronic NAFLD mouse model through whole body irradiation and verified the model through histological and biochemical analysis. To find molecular mechanism for hepatic steatosis, we analyzed hepatic transcriptomic profiles in this model and selected target molecule. To induce the expression of lactotransferrin (Ltf) and regulate the NAFLD, growth hormone (GH) and coumestrol was introduced to hepatocyte and mice. The universal effect of coumestrol was confirmed by administration of coumestrol to NAFLD mouse model induced by high-fructose, high-fat, and MCD diet.. It was observed that decreased hepatic Ltf expression led to excessive hepatic lipid accumulation in NAFLD mouse. Furthermore, we found that GH was decreased in irradiated mice and functioned as an upstream regulator of Ltf expression. It was observed that GH could stimulate Ltf expression and prevent uptake of dietary lipids in hepatocytes, leading to rescue of NAFLD. Finally, we suggested that coumestrol, a kind of isoflavonoid, could be used as an inducer of hepatic Ltf expression through cooperation with the GH signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo.. Hepatic Ltf prevents hepatic steatosis through inhibition of dietary lipid uptake in radiation-induced NAFLD mouse model. We also suggest coumestrol as a drug candidate for prevention of NAFLD.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Chronic Disease; Dietary Fats; Hepatocytes; Lactoferrin; Male; Mice; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Signal Transduction

Both up- and down-regulation of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of the sinonasal mucosa have already been associated with the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with (CRSwNP) or without (CRSsNP) nasal polyps. The objective of this study was to determine the expression of all known TLR and several AMP genes and some selected proteins in association with allergy, asthma and aspirin intolerance (ASA) in CRS subgroups. RT-PCR was applied to measure the mRNA expressions of 10 TLRs, four defensins, lysozyme, cathelicidin and lactoferrin (LTF) in sinonasal samples from patients with CRSsNP (n = 19), CRSwNP [ASA(-): 17; ASA(+): 7] and in control subjects (n = 12). Protein expressions were detected with immunohistochemistry (n = 10). Statistical analysis was done with the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U, and Student t test. TLR2, TLR5, TLR6, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, β-defensins 1 and 4, cathelicidin and LTF mRNA expressions were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in CRSwNP, whereas only TLR2 and LTF were up-regulated in CRSsNP compared to controls. There was no statistical difference in respect of allergy, aspirin intolerance and smoking between CRSsNP, ASA(-) and ASA(+) CRSwNP patients. TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, LTF, β defensin 2 and lysozyme protein expressions were found to be elevated in macrophages of CRSwNP samples (p < 0.05). Gene expression analysis showed markedly different expressions in CRSwNP (6 out of 10 TLR and 4 out of 7 AMP genes were up-regulated) compared to CRSsNP (1/10, 1/7). The distinct activation of the innate immunity may support the concept that CRSsNP and CRSwNP are different subtypes of CRS. These findings were found to be independent from allergy, asthma, smoking, aspirin intolerance and systemic steroid application.

Topics: Adult; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; beta-Defensins; Case-Control Studies; Cathelicidins; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps; Rhinitis; RNA, Messenger; Sinusitis; Toll-Like Receptors; Young Adult

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a poorly understood chronic immune disorder for which there is no medical cure. Milk and colostrum are rich sources of bioactives with immunomodulatory properties. Here we compared the therapeutic effects of oral delivery of bovine milk-derived iron-saturated lactoferrin (Fe-bLF), angiogenin, osteopontin (OPN), colostrum whey protein, Modulen IBD (Nestle Healthsciences, Rhodes, Australia), and cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)-enriched milk fat in a mouse model of dextran sulfate-induced colitis. The CLA-enriched milk fat significantly increased mouse body weights after 24d of treatment, reduced epithelium damage, and downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and nitrous oxide. Modulen IBD most effectively decreased the clinical score at d 12, and Modulen IBD and OPN most effectively lowered the inflammatory score. Myeloperoxidase activity that denotes neutrophil infiltration was significantly lower in mice fed Modulen IBD, OPN, angiogenin, and Fe-bLF. A significant decrease in the numbers of T cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and a significant decrease in cytokine expression were observed in mice fed the treatment diets compared with dextran sulfate administered mice. The Fe-bLF, CLA-enriched milk fat, and Modulen IBD inhibited intestinal angiogenesis. In summary, each of the milk components attenuated IBD in mice, but with differing effectiveness against specific disease parameters.

Topics: Animals; Australia; Chronic Disease; Colitis; Colostrum; Cytokines; Dairy Products; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Glycolipids; Glycoproteins; Lactoferrin; Linoleic Acids, Conjugated; Lipid Droplets; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Milk; Milk Proteins; Nitrous Oxide; Osteopontin; Ribonuclease, Pancreatic; Whey Proteins

The objective of the present work was to study the contribution of biofilms to the development of chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis. A total of 50 patients with this pathology were available for the examination. Mucosal swabs were taken from the middle nasal passages of all the patients to be used for the detection of biofilms by luminescence microscopy. The lactoferrine content in mucosal secretion from the nasal cavity was determined by an immunoenzymatic assay. Two groups of the patients presenting with bacterial rhinosinusitis were distinguished in the study of impression smears from nasal cavity mucosa by luminescence microscopy; one of them was comprised of biofilm-positive patients the other of biofilm-negative ones (56% and 44% respectively). The patients showing biofilms over nasal cavity mucosa had the lactoferrine content in mucosal secretion on the order of 0.0033±0.0008 mg/l compared with 0.0068±0.00075 mg/l in the biofilm-negative patients and 0.55±0.0005 mg/l in the healthy volunteers (controls). In other words, the biofilm-positive patients presenting with chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis had two times lower content of lactoferrine in mucosal secretion from the middle nasal passages than those in the biofilm negative group and 126 times lower content of lactoferrine than in the control group.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bacterial Infections; Biofilms; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Young Adult

Non-invasive markers able to identify patients with chronic diarrhea at risk of organic disease are missing. Aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic ability of intestinal permeability (IP) test and fecal lactoferrin (FL) in distinguishing functional from organic disease in patients with chronic diarrhea. We retrospectively enrolled patients referring to the gastroenterology outpatient clinic for chronic diarrhea. Among the 103 patients included, 40 % had an organic disease, with IP and FL levels significantly higher compared to those with a functional disorder (p < 0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, area under ROC curves of FL were superior to those of IP in discriminating functional and organic disease (FL: 87.8 and 93.6 %, 13.61 and 0.13, 0.9375; IP: 61.0 and 90.3 %, 6.3 and 0.43, 0.7691). When combining the two tests, the diagnostic ability of FL did not improve. In subgroup analysis, IP confirmed its ability to detect small bowel alterations, while FL could identify both small bowel and colonic alterations. In conclusion, FL is valid to detect inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, while IP can effectively identify small bowel damage in chronic diarrhea patients. Together these tests could recognize both the presence of intestinal damage and its site.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Diarrhea; Feces; Female; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Intestinal Mucosa; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Permeability; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult

The article demonstrates that the examination of patients with chronic osteomyelitis treated using the transosseous osteosynthesis technique established the ambiguous character of changes in concentration of lactoferrin and lysozyme in blood serum as compared with pre-surgery values. It is demonstrated that closer to the end of 2-3 months after surgery the normalization of analyzed indicators occurs. The complex detection of lactoferrin, lysozyme applied additionally to basal examination of cell immunity can be used to monitor the chronic osteomyelitis. This approach can play a significant diagnostic and prognostic role in evaluation of severity on infection process.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Osteomyelitis

Defensins are small cationic peptides with antibacterial activity expressed in Paneth cells (α-defensins) or generally in intestinal epithelial cells (β-defensins) that have a profound effect on gut microbiota. Chronic pouchitis, which occurs in 5% of patients after restorative proctocolectomy and can cause pouch failure, is associated to a significant increase of Clostridiaceae spp. The aim of this study was to gain further insight in the pathogenesis of pouch dysbiosis by exploring defensin expression. Thirty-two consecutive patients coming for follow-up endoscopy were recruited. On pouch biopsies, we cultured bacteria adherent to the mucosa and determined α- and β-defensins and toll-like receptor-4 and -2 mRNA by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Serum and mucosal levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured with immunometric assays. Faecal lactoferrin was analysed by quantitative ELISA. After a median follow-up of 23 (IQR 20-24) months, the patients were contacted for a reassessment of current and past disease activity. During the follow-up, chronic/relapsing pouchitis was diagnosed in six patients. The mucosal level of α-5 and α-6 defensins correlated with chronic/relapsing pouchitis onset (τ = 0.30, p = 0.034 and τ = 0.28, p = 0.053, respectively). High levels of α-5 defensin resulted to be predictive of chronic/relapsing pouchitis [AUC = 74% (95% CI = 53-89%), p = 0.052]. Patients with high levels of α-5 and α-6 defensins had earlier pouchitis relapses (p = 0.009 and p = 0.034, respectively). High levels of α-5 defensin were associated to a significant risk of chronic/relapsing pouchitis [OR = 10.6 (95% CI = 1.2-97.6), p = 0.027]. At multivariate analysis, the mucosal levels of α-5 defensin and the number of CFU of mucosa-associated Clostridiaceae spp resulted to be independent predictors of chronic/relapsing pouchitis [β = 0.46 (0.18), p = 0.024 and β = 0.44 (0.18), p = 0.027, respectively]. In conclusion, chronic/relapsing pouchitis is associated to increased expression of mucosal HD-5 and to increased antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. In patients with chronic/relapsing pouchitis, HD-5 and TLR-4 over-expression is likely to create a hostile environment against Enterobacteriaceae, thus favouring Clostridiaceae spp by decreasing competing bacteria families.

Topics: Adult; Aged; alpha-Defensins; beta-Defensins; Chronic Disease; Clostridioides difficile; Colonic Pouches; Colony Count, Microbial; Escherichia coli; Feces; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; Intestinal Mucosa; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Pouchitis; Predictive Value of Tests; Recurrence; RNA, Messenger; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Up-Regulation

Nasal polyps are strongly associated with a risk of chronic rhinosinusitis development as well as other obstruction including asthma and allergy. The following study tested the association of the 140A/G polymorphism of lactoferine (LF) encoding gene and the -33C/G polymorphism of osteoblast-specific factor-2 (OSF-2) encoding gene with a risk of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in a Polish population. One hundred ninety five patients of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps as well as 200 sex, age and ethnicity matched control subjects without chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps were enrolled in this study. Among the group of patients 63 subjects were diagnosed with allergy and 65 subjects with asthma, respectively. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients as well as controls and gene polymorphisms were analyzed by restriction fragments length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). We reported that the 140A/G LF (OR 4.78; 95% CI 3.07-7.24), the -33C/G OSF-2 OR 3.48; 95% CI 2.19-5.52) and the -33G/G OSF-2 (OR 16.45; 95% CI 6.71-40.30) genotypes were associated with an increased risk of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps among analyzed group of patients. Moreover, the group of patients without allergy or asthma indicated the association of the -33C/G (OR 3.72; 95% CI 2.24-6.19 and OR 15.11; 95% CI 5.91-38.6) and -33G/G (OR 3.73; 95% CI 2.24-6.19 and OR 14.07; 95% CI 5.47-36.16) genotypes of the OSF-2 as wells as 140A/G (OR 3.89; 95% CI 2.40-6.31 and OR 3.62; 95% CI 2.45-5.34) genotype of OSF-2 with an increased risk of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Finally, it was also found that the selected group of patients with allergy or asthma indicated a very strong association of the -33C/G (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.23-4.69 and OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.23-4.69, respectively) and -33G/G (OR 16.01; 95% CI 5.77-44.41 and OR 17.90; 95% CI 6.53-49.05, respectively) genotypes of the OSF-2 as wells as 140A/G (OR 3.22; 95% CI 1.74-6.11 and OR 3.25; 95% CI 1.75-6.04, respectively) genotypes with an increased risk of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Thus, our results suggest that LF and OSF-2 gene polymorphisms may have deep impact on the risk of rhinosinusitis nasal polyps' formation which may also depend on asthma or allergy. Our results showed that the 140A/G polymorphism of LF gene and the -33C/G polymorphism of the OSF-2 gene may be associated with the risk of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in a Polish pop

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alleles; Case-Control Studies; Cell Adhesion Molecules; Chronic Disease; Confidence Intervals; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; Female; Gene Frequency; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Polyps; Odds Ratio; Poland; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Risk Factors; Sinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a disease characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses. This inflammation may result in part from decreased epithelial barrier and innate immune responses, leading to frequent bacterial and fungal colonization. The objectives of this study were to investigate the expression of innate immune proteins of the palate lung and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) family in patients with CRS.. Nasal tissue samples were collected from control subjects and CRS patients with and without nasal polyps. Expression of the members of the PLUNC family was analyzed by real-time PCR. Expression of SPLUNC1 and LPLUNC2 proteins was analyzed by ELISA, immunoblot, and immunohistochemical analysis.. Levels of mRNA for most of the members of the PLUNC family were profoundly reduced in nasal polyps (NPs) compared to uncinate tissue from control subjects or patients with CRS. LPLUNC2 and SPLUNC1 proteins were decreased in NPs of patients with CRS compared to uncinate tissue from control subjects. Immunohistochemical data revealed that within submucosal glands of sinonasal tissues, SPLUNC1 and LPLUNC2 were differentially expressed, in serous and mucous cells, respectively. The decrease in the expression of these molecules is probably explained by a decrease in the number of glands in NPs as revealed by correlations with levels of the glandular marker lactoferrin.. Decreased SPLUNC1 and LPLUNC2 in NPs reflect a profound decrease in the number of submucosal glands. Decreased glands may lead to a localized defect in the production and release of glandular innate defense molecules.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Female; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Glycoproteins; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Phosphoproteins; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Young Adult

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is a severe immunological complication that occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Although oral cGVHD occurs in >25% of cGVHD patients and leads to decreased quality of life, its etiology is poorly understood. The present retrospective cross-sectional analysis of oral cGVHD patients sought to (1) test the feasibility of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify protein biomarkers of oral cGVHD and (2) to gain a clearer understanding of salivary proteins impacted by oral cGVHD.. Using unstimulated whole saliva, we compared pooled saliva from five patients with a diagnosis of moderate or severe oral cGVHD, with a gender-and age- matched pool of five cGVHD patients with no oral mucosal findings. LC-MS/MS was used to identify salivary proteins, followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Selected mass spectrometric findings, including lactotransferrin, lactoperoxidase, and albumin, were confirmed by targeted label-free quantification.. LC-MS/MS led to confident identification of 180 proteins. Of these proteins, 102 changed in abundance at least 2 fold, including 12 proteins identified only in the No oral cGVHD group. Downregulation of ~0.4 fold was confirmed for both lactotransferrin and lactoperoxidase in Oral cGVHD saliva using targeted label-free quantification. IPA analysis implicated pathways involved in cellular metabolism and immunoregulation.. Reduction of salivary lactoperoxidase, lactotransferrin, and several cysteine proteinase inhibitor family proteins suggests impaired oral antimicrobial host immunity in cGVHD patients. This shotgun proteomic analysis of oral cGVHD saliva using targeted label-free quantification of select proteins supports the use of mass spectrometry for future validation in a large patient population as noninvasive tests for screening, early detection, and monitoring of cGVHD.

Topics: Adult; Albumins; Chromatography, Liquid; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Graft vs Host Disease; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoperoxidase; Male; Middle Aged; Proteomics; Retrospective Studies; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Gene therapy is considered one of the most promising approaches to develop an effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). The existence of blood-brain barrier (BBB) significantly limits its development. In this study, lactoferrin (Lf)-modified nanoparticles (NPs) were used as a potential non-viral gene vector due to its brain-targeting and BBB-crossing ability.. The neuroprotective effects were examined in a rotenone-induced chronic rat model of PD after treatment with NPs encapsulating human glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor gene (hGDNF) via a regimen of multiple dosing intravenous administration. The results showed that multiple injections of Lf-modified NPs obtained higher GDNF expression and this gene expression was maintained for a longer time than the one with a single injection. Multiple dosing intravenous administration of Lf-modified NPs could significantly improve locomotor activity, reduce dopaminergic neuronal loss, and enhance monoamine neurotransmitter levels on rotenone-induced PD rats, which indicates its powerful neuroprotective effects.. The findings may have implications for long-term non-invasive gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases in general.

Topics: Animals; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genes, Reporter; Genetic Therapy; Genetic Vectors; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Lactoferrin; Male; Nanoparticles; Neurotoxins; Parkinsonian Disorders; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rotenone; Treatment Outcome; Uncoupling Agents

Chronic wounds associated with vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, or aging are leading causes of morbidity in western countries and represent an unresolved clinical problem. The development of innovative strategies to promote tissue repair is therefore an important task that requires a more thorough analysis of the underlying molecular pathophysiology. We propose that the understanding of the complex biological events that control tissue repair or its failure largely benefits from a broad analytical approach as provided by novel proteomic methodologies. Here we present the first comparative proteome analysis of wound exudates obtained from normal healing or nonhealing (venous leg ulcer) human skin wounds. A total of 149 proteins were identified with high confidence. A minority of proteins was exclusively present in exudate of the healing wound (23 proteins) or the nonhealing wound (26 proteins). Of particular interest was the differential distribution of specific proteins among the two different healing phenotypes. Whereas in the exudate obtained from the healing wound mediators characteristic for tissue formation were abundantly present, in the exudate obtained from the nonhealing wound numerous mediators characteristic for a persistent inflammatory and tissue destructive response were identified. Furthermore, the study also revealed interesting results regarding the identification of new proteins with yet unknown functions in skin repair. This analysis therefore represents an important basis for the search for potential biomarkers, which give rise to a better understanding and monitoring of disease progression in chronic wounds.

Topics: Aged; Annexins; Biomarkers; Calgranulin B; Chronic Disease; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Exudates and Transudates; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Leg Ulcer; Middle Aged; Proteome; Proteomics; Reproducibility of Results; Wound Healing

Lactoferrin is an innate immune system protein with multiple beneficial health activities.. To gain insight in the interaction between innate immune system and metabolic disturbances (obesity and insulin resistance), we investigated the relationship between circulating lactoferrin and chronic inflammation-associated insulin resistance according glucose tolerance status in Caucasian population.. Circulating nonstressed lactoferrin (ELISA), metabolic variables, and inflammatory markers were measured in 229 men, 94 with normal (NGT) and 135 with altered glucose tolerance (AGT). Lactoferrin secretion by neutrophil was investigated in whole-blood culture (four young NGT subjects, four older NGT subjects, and four patients with type 2 diabetes) under microbial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with IL-6 and rosiglitazone treatment. We also tested the lactoferrin action in THP-1 cells under LPS stimulus.. Circulating lactoferrin was significantly decreased in patients with AGT (431.5 +/- 187.5 vs. 493.5 +/- 238.9 ng/ml, P = 0.02). In addition, circulating lactoferrin was negatively associated with hyperglycemia and obesity measures and positively with insulin sensitivity. Lactoferrin was negatively related to inflammatory markers, especially in AGT subjects. In ex vivo experiments, we found a significant decrease in LPS-induced lactoferrin release from neutrophils in subjects with type 2 diabetes. IL-6 coincubation decreased LPS-induced lactoferrin release in NGT subjects (P < 0.001). Finally, rosiglitazone treatment led to increased lactoferrin secretion (398 +/- 193 vs. 280.1 +/- 104.9 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). Lactoferrin decreased nuclear factor-kappabeta activation and IL-6, IL-8, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 expression under LPS challenge.. Decreased circulating lactoferrin levels may play a role in chronic low level inflammation-associated insulin resistance.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Chemokine CCL2; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Interleukin-6; Interleukin-8; Lactoferrin; Linear Models; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; White People

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection is characterized by chronic overactivation of immune and inflammatory system, resulting in anergic state and dysfunction of immune cells. Lactoferrin (LF), a glycoprotein present in exocrine secretions and neutrophils, plays an important role in host defense system. Our previous study showed that oral administration of bovine LF (bLF) suppressed oral inflammation, improved the clinical symptoms and decreased serum gamma-globulin as a marker of inflammation in FIV-infected cats with intractable stomatitis. The anti-inflammatory effect was partly involved in regulation of neutrophil function by bLF. In this study, to clarify the relationship between anti-inflammatory effects of bLF and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we examined the effect of bLF on proliferation, cell cycle progression and cytokine expression in mitogen-activated PBMC. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay showed that bLF inhibited the concanavalin A (ConA)-induced cell proliferation in FIV-infected cats with the asymptomatic carrier and AIDS-related complex (ARC) phase. Bovine LF restored ConA-induced cell cycle progression and resulted in suppression of the induced apoptosis in feline PBMC. Real-time RT-PCR showed that bLF suppressed ConA-induced expression of interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 in cells of the ARC group regardless of the time of its addition to the medium. These results suggest the hypothesis that therapy with bLF may have the potential to improve and protect functions of overactivated lymphocytes by modulating the cell proliferation, cell cycle and cytokines expression in cats in terminal stage of FIV infection.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cattle; Cell Proliferation; Chronic Disease; Concanavalin A; Cytokines; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline; Lactoferrin; Lentivirus Infections; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Male; RNA, Messenger

The diverse antipathogenic action of lactoferrin has been well characterized. In addition, it is the human body's only known antimicrobial peptide with antibiofilm properties. The purpose of this study was to examine the nasal mucosal expression of lactoferrin in the biofilm-mediated disease, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).. Nasal biopsies from 41 CRS patients and 21 healthy controls were analyzed using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the presence of biofilms. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein level of lactoferrin in this tissue were also determined by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.. Lactoferrin expression in chronic rhinosinusitis patients at both mRNA and protein level was downregulated relative to controls. Biofilm-positive CRS patients showed a much greater reduction in lactoferrin expression than biofilm-negative patients; mRNA median fold change biofilm positive = 0.03 (interquartile range 0.005-0.15) and biofilm-negative CRS median fold change = 0.49 (interquartile range 0.15-0.81) with median lactoferrin protein expression biofilm-positive patients' median lactoferrin protein expression = 32.58 ng/mL (interquartile range 8.67-59.9 ng/mL) and biofilm-negative patients' median lactoferrin expression = 114.40 ng/mL (interquartile range 75.41-163.1 ng/mL).. Genetic, transcriptional, or translational deficiencies in lactoferrin synthesis may reduce the functional level of this important antimicrobial/antibiofilm peptide in the nasal secretions of CRS patients, predisposing certain individuals to bacterial colonization, biofilm development, and recalcitrant sinus disease.

Topics: Biofilms; Chronic Disease; DNA Primers; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Gene Expression; Humans; Lactoferrin; Microscopy, Electron; Nasal Mucosa; Prospective Studies; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA; RNA, Messenger; Sinusitis

Antimicrobial peptides, such as lactoferrin, are an important component of the innate immune system. They offer the body a first line defense against a wide range of invading pathogens. The diverse antipathogenic action of lactoferrin has been well characterized; however, the role that this peptide plays in chronic conditions such as rhinosinusitis remains largely unknown. This study aims to examine the level of lactoferrin expression in the nasal mucosa of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).. Nasal biopsies of 85 chronic rhinosinusitis patients, subclassified into allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS), nonallergic fungal eosinophilic sinusitis (NAFES), nonallergic, nonfungal eosinophilic sinusitis (NANFES), and CRS were studied by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for their expression of lactoferrin at an mRNA and protein level, respectively.. All groups of patients with CRS showed a decrease in lactoferrin mRNA expression relative to controls (median fold-change of CRS relative to controls, 0.1550; AFS, 0.1800; NANFES, 0.1900; and NAFES, 0.2100). All groups also showed a decreased expression of lactoferrin protein (controls, 163.3 ng/mL; CRS, 82.19 ng/mL; AFS, 104.1 ng/mL; NANFES, 118.9 ng/mL; and NAFES, 74.33 ng/mL). The most significant reduction was evident in the CRS subgroup as well as in patients with nasal polyposis at the time of surgery.. This is the first study of its kind to objectively examine lactoferrin expression in the nasal mucosa of CRS patients. We report a reduction in the expression of this important antimicrobial peptide at both the mRNA and protein level. Such a defect in the innate immune system may explain the predisposition of certain individuals to develop CRS and nasal polyposis, providing further insight into the pathogenesis of such conditions.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Nasal Mucosa; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rhinitis; RNA, Messenger; Sinusitis; Statistics, Nonparametric

The therapeutic efficacy of an antimicrobial peptide, human lactoferrin 1-11 (hLF1-11), was investigated in a model of chronic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (gentamicin susceptible) osteomyelitis in rabbits. We incorporated 50 mg hLF1-11/g or 50 mg gentamicin/g cement powder into a calcium phosphate bone cement (Ca-P) and injected it into the debrided tibial cavity, creating a local drug delivery system. The efficacy of hLF1-11 and gentamicin was compared to that of a sham-treated control (plain bone cement) (n=6) and no treatment (infected only) (n=5). The results were evaluated by microbiology, radiology, and histology. MRSA was recovered from all tibias in both control groups (n=11). On the other hand, hLF1-11 and gentamicin significantly reduced the bacterial load. Furthermore, no growth of bacteria was detected in five out of eight and six out of eight specimens of the hLF1-11- and gentamicin-treated groups, respectively. These results were confirmed by a significant reduction of the histological disease severity score by hLF1-11 and gentamicin compared to both control groups. The hLF1-11-treated group also had a significantly lower radiological score compared to the gentamicin-treated group. This study demonstrates the efficacy of hLF1-11 incorporated into Ca-P bone cement as a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of osteomyelitis, showing efficacy comparable to that of gentamicin. Therefore, the results of this study warrant further preclinical investigations into the possibilities of using hLF1-11 for the treatment of osteomyelitis.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bone Cements; Calcium Phosphates; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Carriers; Female; Gentamicins; Humans; Lactoferrin; Methicillin Resistance; Osteomyelitis; Peptide Fragments; Rabbits; Radiography; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Tibia; Treatment Outcome

Muramidase and lactoferrin are important components of the antimicrobial defense system. Muramidase has the ability of opsonization and immunopotentiation and therefore a close relation to the lymphatic tissue. Till now there are only immunohistochemical and microbiological studies on the presence of muramidase and lactoferrin in adenoid and tonsil tissue available.. We investigated the concentrations of muramidase and lactoferrin in palatine tonsils and adenoidal hypertrophies quantitatively using ELISA.. We investigated tissue of 18 palatine tonsils and 16 pharyngeal tonsils.. We found a significant difference in the concentration of muramidase but no difference in the concentration of lactoferrin between adenoids and tonsils. There was no significant difference in the concentration of lactoferrin and muramidase between the hypertrophic and chronic infected tonsils. There was no correlation between the age of the patients and the concentration of muramidase and lactoferrin. A connection between the microbial biofilm, the concentration of the proteins and the recurrent tonsillitis is discussed.. Due to the production of muramidase and lactoferrin adenoids and tonsils play an important role in the local antimicrobial defense in any age or inflammation.

Topics: Adenoids; Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Biofilms; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Hypertrophy; Lactoferrin; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Palatine Tonsil; Tonsillectomy; Tonsillitis

The aim of the study was to verify (i) if crevicular fluid defence variables reflect the changes after surgical periodontal treatment and (ii) if they are in correspondence with changes of these variables in the unstimulated and stimulated whole saliva.. For 12 male and 13 female volunteers with chronic periodontitis lactoferrin concentration as well as the lysozyme and peroxidase activities were determined in crevicular fluid as well as in unstimulated and stimulated saliva before and 14 days after surgical periodontal treatment by a minimal invasive flap technique.. The lactoferrin concentrations decreased significantly in the crevicular fluid eluting solution from 1.63 to 1.23 mg/l reflecting a decrease in the total amount collected, in unstimulated saliva from 10.54 to 8.96 mg/l, and in stimulated saliva from 9.00 to 7.11 mg/l after treatment. No significant change could be found for lysozyme. Peroxidase activity was significantly reduced from 269.06 to 186.15 U/l only in the crevicular fluid.. The results of this study suggest that (i) the defence factor lactoferrin is suitable for monitoring of periodontal treatment results and (ii) changes of the lactoferrin concentration in crevicular fluid are related with significant changes in unstimulated and stimulated saliva.

Topics: Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Periodontitis; Peroxidase; Saliva; Statistics, Nonparametric

Feline calicivirus (FCV) shedding and oral bacterial flora were monitored over a period of 22 months in a case of feline gingivostomatitis (FGS). The cat was treated daily with 50 mg thalidomide capsules by mouth, and 200 mg lactoferrin powder was applied directly to the lesions. Clinical signs began to resolve after 11 months when, in addition to treatment, the diet had been changed to an additive-free cat food supplemented with antioxidant vitamins A, D3 and E. Resolution of clinical signs of FGS coincided with the cessation of FCV shedding, and this is the first report documenting such an association. Which part of the treatment, if any, contributed to the cure requires further investigation.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Administration, Topical; Animals; Calicivirus, Feline; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chronic Disease; Diet; Gingival Diseases; Lactoferrin; Male; Pasteurella multocida; Stomatitis; Thalidomide

The objective of this forensic autopsy study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression pattern of lactoferrin (LF) in pulmonary tissue sections deriving from fatal slow-onset asthma (time interval between onset of asthma attack and death >2.5 h) and fatal sudden-onset asthma (cases in which death occurred within 1 h of the onset of an asphyxic asthma attack) relative to controls (sudden death due to diseases other than respiratory disorders). LF was applied to paraffin sections using a standard peroxidase-labelled streptavidin-biotin technique. LF immunoreactivity was graded semi-quantitatively in relation to different histoanatomic distribution sites of LF on a five category ordinal scale (maximum score of 15). We found a statistically significant difference between an enhanced expression of LF in both asthma groups relative to the controls (P<0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). When comparing both asthma groups, there was a statistically significant difference in LF immunoreactivity between the slow-onset and sudden-onset asthma group (P<0.001). Since LF immunoreactivity was far less intense in the sudden-onset asthma group (mean expression +/-SD: 7.3+/-1.3) than in the slow-onset asthma group (12.5+/-1), and an absent or weak LF expression pattern was observed in the control group (1.4+/-1.3), we assume that our results permit the following cautious estimations: (1) pulmonary LF expression is enhanced in asthma attacks with fatal outcome relative to controls and (2) a different expression pattern of LF can be observed in fatal sudden-onset asthma compared to slow-onset asthma in so far as the pulmonary expression of LF seems to be positively correlated with the preceding period of time between the asphyxic asthma attack and death. Further clinicopathologic studies including in-patient asthma fatalities with a well-known medical history are required to scrutinize if the pulmonary expression of LF is in fact positively associated with the time span of the asthma attack, thus possibly providing further therapeutic opportunities to intervene in severe asphyxic asthma.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Asthma; Cause of Death; Child; Chronic Disease; Death, Sudden; Female; Forensic Medicine; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lung; Male; Middle Aged

The role of protein components of pancreatic secretions has been controversial in pancreatic stone formation.. To study the lithogenic role of pancreatic stone protein and lactoferrin in stone formation in chronic pancreatitis.. Pancreatic stones were collected from 13 patients with alcoholic (n=6) and nonalcoholic (n=7) chronic calcified pancreatitis.. Pancreatic stone extracts were analyzed for pancreatic stone protein and lactoferrin using enzyme immunoassay. The localization of pancreatic stone protein immunoreactivity in the stone was observed using immunogold staining and scanning electron microscopy.. Immunoreactivities for pancreatic stone protein were detected in the stones from all 13 patients with chronic calcified pancreatitis and for lactoferrin in the stones from five of the 13 patients. Pancreatic stone protein immunoreactivity distributed diffusely from the center to the periphery of the pancreatic stones.. Involvement of pancreatic stone protein seems to be constant from the initial step of the stone formation to subsequent steps of the stone growth. However, pancreatic stone protein is only one of the precipitating proteins in pancreatic secretions such as lactoferrin, trypsinogen, etc.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Calculi; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lithostathine; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pancreatitis; Pancreatitis, Alcoholic

Antimicrobial factors form one arm of the innate immune system, which protects mucosal surfaces from bacterial infection. These factors can rapidly kill bacteria deposited on mucosal surfaces and prevent acute invasive infections. In many chronic infections, however, bacteria live in biofilms, which are distinct, matrix-encased communities specialized for surface persistence. The transition from a free-living, independent existence to a biofilm lifestyle can be devastating, because biofilms notoriously resist killing by host defence mechanisms and antibiotics. We hypothesized that the innate immune system possesses specific activity to protect against biofilm infections. Here we show that lactoferrin, a ubiquitous and abundant constituent of human external secretions, blocks biofilm development by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This occurs at lactoferrin concentrations below those that kill or prevent growth. By chelating iron, lactoferrin stimulates twitching, a specialized form of surface motility, causing the bacteria to wander across the surface instead of forming cell clusters and biofilms. These findings reveal a specific anti-biofilm defence mechanism acting at a critical juncture in biofilm development, the time bacteria stop roaming as individuals and aggregate into durable communities.

Topics: Biofilms; Chronic Disease; Conalbumin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Immunity, Innate; Iron; Iron Chelating Agents; Lactoferrin; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Tobramycin

To study the frequency and distribution of antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) among patients with reactive arthritis (ReA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and ulcerative colitis (UC) using different immunological methods.. Fifty serum samples from patients with reactive arthritis (26 with acute disease and 24 with chronic disease-that is disease of more than one year) were analysed for ANCA with indirect immunofluorescence, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with six different neutrophil granule proteins as antigens, and immunoblotting on whole neutrophil extract and extracts of azurophil and specific granules. Thirty serum samples from patients with RA and UC served as controls in ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence.. Sixteen per cent of patients with ReA were positive in immunofluorescence compared with 30% of patients with RA, and 70% of patients with UC. Thirty two per cent of patients with ReA were positive in ELISA. Antibodies directed against lactoferrin occurred in 20%, antibodies against bactericidal permeability increasing protein (BPI), elastase, cathepsin G, myeloperoxidase, and proteinase 3 were found in 8%, 2%, 2%, 8%, and 6%, respectively. Overall, 50% of RA sera and 53% of UC sera were positive in one or more ELISA assays, the corresponding figures for antibodies against individual antigens were for RA 7%, 3%, 0%, 13%, 47%, 17% and for UC 13%, 20%, 0%, 23%, 10%, and 17%. In immunoblotting, bands corresponding to lactoferrin and BPI were recognised in 44% and 22% of ReA sera.. Antibodies against neutrophil granule antigens are often found in patients with ReA, primarily among those with chronic disease. The different methods detect various subsets of antibodies, with immunoblotting being the most and immunofluorescence the least sensitive.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; Arthritis, Reactive; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Chronic Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epitopes; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Immunoblotting; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Prohibitins; Sensitivity and Specificity

Decreased tear volume in patients with chronic hepatitis C has been reported in the literature. Lactoferrin is abundantly present in human tears, the main source of which is the acini of the lacrimal glands. In this study tear lactoferrin levels were measured to investigate the dry eye condition of patients with chronic hepatitis C.. Lactoferrin in tears/fluid was measured by a radial immunodiffusion assay in 42 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The rate of lacrimal secretion was determined by the cotton thread test. Rose bengal staining of the ocular surface was also performed.. Only three patients out of 42 complained of dry eye sensation and, in 31 patients, six showed positive results on the rose bengal staining test of the ocular surface. The lactoferrin concentration of tear fluid in the chronic hepatitis C group (1.42 (SD 0.56) mg/ml) was significantly lower than in the control group (1.90 (0.62) mg/ml; p <0.00048). The cotton thread test results in the chronic hepatitis C group (12.9 (5. 5) mm) were significantly lower than in the control group (17.9 (5. 3) mm; p<0.00048). Also, in the chronic hepatitis C group, tear lactoferrin concentration correlated with the results of the cotton thread test (r = 0.35, p<0.05).. Chronic hepatitis C patients showed both decreased tear volume, and decreased tear lactoferrin concentration. These findings suggest that there may be dysfunction of the lacrimal glands in patients with chronic hepatitis C, which may account for the mild dry eye.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Dry Eye Syndromes; Female; Hepatitis C; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Tears

Immunochemical tests of blood sera from 160 healthy residents of the town of Astrakhan were performed to determine standard quantities of ferritin and lactoferrin in the serum. Examinations of the saliva from 280 healthy subjects provided the frequency of occurrence and levels of excretory lactoferrin. These iron-containing proteins were also assessed in different biosubstrates (blood serum, sputum, saliva, pleural fluid, lung tissues) from 550 patients with benign and malignant lesions of the lungs and pleura. Tests for ferritin and lactoferrin proved useful in evaluation of bronchopulmonary inflammation activity, early detection of pulmonary and intrapleural supputation, differential diagnosis of chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases and lung cancer. The excretory salivary lactoferrin provided sufficient information on the condition of adaptive mechanisms of local defense of the lungs in premorbid state in 420 workers of the gas-processing plant exposed to aggressive occupational pollutants.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Ferritins; Humans; Immunochemistry; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases; Male; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Pleural Diseases; Saliva

Murine antibody responses to soluble proteins are generally restricted to the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) isotype. When mice were infected with Toxoplasma gondii Beverley and concomitantly immunized with a soluble unrelated protein antigen, a modification in the isotypic distribution of antibodies directed against this nonparasite antigen was observed, with a preferential production of IgG2a. Interestingly, when mice were immunized with a soluble protein antigen during the chronic phase (day 40) of infection with T. gondii Beverley, a similar modification in the isotypic distribution of antiprotein antibodies was observed.

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Antibodies, Protozoan; Chronic Disease; Cytokines; Female; Immunoglobulin Isotypes; Interleukin-12; Lactoferrin; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; RNA, Messenger; Spleen; Toxoplasmosis, Animal

The utility of tests for fecal neutrophils in the setting of chronic diarrhea has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine the causes of chronic diarrhea associated with fecal neutrophils.. One fecal specimen from each of 10 normal subjects, 26 patients with known microscopic colitis, 13 with celiac sprue, eight with Crohn's disease, four with ulcerative colitis, and 103 with chronic diarrhea of unknown origin, as well as 10 fecal specimens from a patient with chronic nongranulomatous enterocolitis were analyzed blindly for the presence of a neutrophil granule protein called lactoferrin using a commercial latex agglutination kit. Diagnostic evaluation of the 103 patients with chronic diarrhea was carried out to determine the diagnostic accuracy of this test for chronic inflammatory bowel disease.. None of the normal control subjects, three of 39 patients with microscopic colitis or celiac sprue, all 10 specimens from the patient with enterocolitis, and all 12 control patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease had a positive fecal lactoferrin test. Eleven of 103 patients with chronic diarrhea presenting without a diagnosis had a positive test, and all were diagnosed with an inflammatory condition of the colon (five-, ulcerative colitis; four-, Crohn's disease; one-, ischemic colitis; and one-, microscopic colitis). Only one patient with inflammatory bowel disease had a negative lactoferrin test. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the fecal lactoferrin test for ulcerative or Crohn's colitis were 90%, 98%, 82%, and 99%, respectively.. The major cause of fecal neutrophils in patients with chronic diarrhea is chronic inflammatory bowel disease of the colon. The latex agglutination test for fecal lactoferrin offers a highly sensitive, specific, and simple means for detection of fecal neutrophils in these patients.

Topics: Celiac Disease; Chronic Disease; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Diarrhea; Feces; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Latex Fixation Tests; Male; Neutrophils; Occult Blood; Sensitivity and Specificity

To study the local protective role of lysozyme(LZ) and lactoferrin(LF) in the uncinate process mucosa during chronic sinusitis.. Expression of LZ and LF was determined in 17 samples from normal subjects and 70 samples from chronic sinusitis patients with ABC immunohistochemical method. According to the presence or absence of nasal polyps, patients were divided into two groups.. Serous cells of submucosal glands displayed a strongly positive staining reaction to both LZ and LF in the normal uncinate process mucosa and mucosa from patients with chronic sinusitis. A positive though weak staining for LZ could also be found frequently within mucous cells of submucosal mixed glands and occasionally within goblet cells. In the mucosa from patients without nasal polyps, the staining reaction to LZ appeared to be intensified in goblet cells when compared with normal controls (P < 0.05). In patients with nasal polyps, the staining reaction to LZ appeared to be intensified in submucosal glands when compared with normal controls (P < 0.01) and patients without nasal polyps (P < 0.05). For LF, the staining reaction from patients with nasal polyps was stronger than that in normal controls (P < 0.01). The epithial cells stained negatively for LZ and LF.. It suggests that the observed increase in LZ and LF secreting activity of goblet cells and submucosal mixed glands may play a part role in the defense mechanism of uncinate process mucosa during the course of chronic sinusitis.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Chronic Disease; Ethmoid Sinus; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Nasal Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Sinusitis

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in milk, lacrimae, saliva, and gastroduodenal secretions. In vitro studies disclosed contradicting results regarding the relation of Lf with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the gastric mucosal concentration of Lf and HP infection of the stomach. The relationship of the gastric mucosal level of Lf with the gastric mucosal concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and with the intragastric ammonia levels was also assessed. In addition, the gastric mucosal Lf levels before and after irradication of HP infection were also evaluated.. This study was composed of 27 HP-positive and 12 HP-negative patients with chronic gastritis. Gastric mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained from all subjects by endoscopy, and the degree of histological inflammatory changes were assessed according to the Sydney system. The gastric mucosal levels of Lf and IL-8 were measured by immunoassays. Assessment of the effect of therapy on the gastric mucosal level of Lf was performed in 10 patients with HP-associated duodenal ulcer.. Lf, IL-8, and ammonia levels were significantly higher in patients with HP-positive gastritis compared with those with HP-negative gastritis in both the antrum and the gastric body. Histologically, the degree of inflammatory changes correlated significantly with the Lf levels in the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, the degree of HP colonization was more significant in biopsy samples from the antrum than in those from the corpus of the stomach. The gastric mucosal levels of Lf and IL-8 correlated significantly in the antrum and the gastric body. The ammonia intragastric level significantly correlated with the mucosal Lf level in the antrum and in the gastric body. Therapy significantly decreased the Lf levels in the gastric mucosa of the antrum (p < 0.005) and the gastric body (p < 0.005).. The results of the present investigation showed, for the first time in vivo, that Lf concentration is increased in the biopsy specimens of patients with HP-related gastritis, and that the levels of Lf correlate significantly with the degree of inflammation of the gastric mucosa. The gastric mucosal level of Lf may constitute an excellent marker of HP infection.

Topics: 2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; Ammonia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Ulcer Agents; Biomarkers; Biopsy; Chronic Disease; Clarithromycin; Duodenal Ulcer; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastric Juice; Gastric Mucosa; Gastritis; Gastroscopy; Helicobacter Infections; Helicobacter pylori; Humans; Interleukin-8; Lactoferrin; Lansoprazole; Male; Metronidazole; Middle Aged; Omeprazole; Pyloric Antrum

The aggregation of non-serotypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) by whole saliva from patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) was investigated. Significant differences were observed between salivary aggregating activity of a control and COLD population (P < 0.001). Saliva from patients less prone to acute exacerbations had a greater capacity to aggregate bacteria compared with saliva from patients with a predilection to infection. The mechanism of saliva-mediated aggregation of NTHI was investigated and shown to be related to lysozyme content. Lysozyme activity in saliva was measured by the turbidimetric technique and results showed that patients with chronic bronchitis had increased levels of salivary lysozyme, with a subpopulation within the non-infection-prone group having greater amounts. A significant difference was observed in salivary lysozyme between controls and non-infection-prone (P < 0.005) and infection-prone (P < 0.05) patients, respectively: the non-infection-prone patients having significantly (P < 0.005) more than the infection-prone patients. There was significant correlation (r = 0.742, P < 0.001) between salivary aggregation of NTHI and lysozyme activity. Chromatographically purified human lysozyme had a similar aggregation profile to that of saliva. There was no difference in serum and saliva lactoferrin concentrations between groups, but there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in serum lysozyme concentration in the non-infection-prone group. This study suggests that the level of salivary lysozyme derived from macrophages may play an important role in determining resistance or susceptibility to acute bronchitis.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Communicable Diseases; Female; Haemophilus influenzae; Humans; Inflammation; Lactoferrin; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Monocytes; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Saliva; Salivation

Lactoferrin and pancreatic stone protein (PSP) are thought to be closely related to pancreatic stone formation in chronic pancreatitis. However, the results reported so far have not been conclusive. To reevaluate the pathological importance of PSP in chronic pancreatitis, compared to lactoferrin, levels of PSP were determined by applying an immunoassay specific to PSP to pure pancreatic juice taken from a total of 52 patients. The patients consisted of 16 controls, 19 chronic pancreatitis patients (13 noncalcified and 6 calcified), and 17 probable cases of pancreatitis. The monoclonal antibody PSP antagonist used in the study recognizes both forms of the protein, PSP S1 and S2-5, with equal effectiveness. No significant reduction of PSP was observed in either calcified (mean +/- SEM, 111 +/- 30 micrograms/mg and 24 +/- 3 micrograms/mg protein) or noncalcified (305 +/- 133 and 97 +/- 47) chronic pancreatitis patients compared with controls (85 +/- 23 and 34 +/- 16). PSP levels did not decrease, at least not in the complete forms of the protein found in chronic pancreatitis. PSP antibody and assay results indicated that a reduction of PSP S2-5 alone could not be ruled out in chronic pancreatitis either.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lactoferrin; Lithostathine; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pancreas; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis

To compare the relative amounts of elastase (primary polymorphonuclear leucocyte granule constituent) and lactoferrin (secondary PMN granule constituent) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis sites.. This cross-sectional study looked at the two GCF constituents in three categories of disease status within the same subject.. Patients with chronic adult periodontitis were screened and those exhibiting all three types of sites ie periodontally healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis sites were recruited (n=10) and had GCF collected from the three sites. Lactoferrin and elastase were measured in eluates of GCF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.. The absolute amount of lactoferrin measured in ng per 30 s samples was significantly lower in healthy and gingivitis sites as compared to periodontitis sites; however this difference failed to reach significance when the concentration of lactoferrin in GCF was used as the analytical unit. No significant differences were found for elastase levels at any sites when expressed as either absolute amounts or concentrations. Secondary granule release, as evidenced by lactoferrin levels, occurs during cell migration and the process is independent of primary granule release, which is thought to correlate with PMN activation. The relationship between granule constituents in the samples showed significant differences, the highest lactoferrin/elastase ratio being at periodontitis sites (P<0.001).. These findings imply a change in the relative amounts of elastase and lactoferrin released at different disease level sites, wth an almost 10-fold increase in the proportion of lactoferrin to elastase in periodontitis sites over healthy and gingivitis sites. This variation in the release by PMNs of primary and secondary granule constituents may indicate alterations in PMN function in different disease environments.

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Biomarkers; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cytoplasmic Granules; Dental Plaque Index; Disease Progression; Female; Gingival Crevicular Fluid; Gingivitis; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Elastase; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Pancreatic Elastase; Periodontal Index; Periodontitis; Statistics, Nonparametric

To study the occurrence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in reactive arthritis (ReA).. Sera from 22 patients with ReA were analyzed by ELISA for the presence of autoantibodies (IgG and IgA) against a proteinase-3 containing azurophilic granule extract ("alpha-antigen") from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lactoferrin (Lf), respectively. Rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and HLA-B27 were also tested. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum levels of C-reactive protein were used to assess disease activity. The patients were divided into acute or chronic (> 1 year) disease.. 12/22 patients (55%) had IgG ANCA (7 had MPO ANCA, 8 had Lf ANCA, and 4 had alpha-ANCA). Eight patients (36%) had IgA ANCA. One serum was positive only for IgA ANCA. 18/21 patients (86%) were HLA-B27 positive, and none had RF or ANA. The triggering infection was Chlamydia trachomatis in 6 cases. Campylobacter jejuni in 6, Yersinia enterocolitica in 4. In 6 patients the causative microorganism could not be determined. ANCA was more prevalent in chronic disease (6/7, 82%) compared to acute (7/15, 47%). No obvious correlation was seen between ANCA and disease activity.. ANCA, predominantly those reacting with Lf and/or MPO preparations, are common in ReA.

Topics: Adult; Arthritis, Reactive; Autoantibodies; Bacterial Infections; Campylobacter; Chlamydia; Chronic Disease; Cytoplasm; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin Isotypes; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Neutrophils; Precipitating Factors; Prohibitins; Rheumatoid Factor; Serologic Tests; Yersinia

To evaluate pathophysiological roles of proteins in pancreatic secretion, immunoreactive lactoferrin (LF) and secretory component (SC) were measured in the first fraction of the pure pancreatic juice obtained endoscopically from 17 control, 21 suspected (SCP), 14 noncalcified (NCP), and 14 calcified chronic pancreatitis (CCP) subjects. The protein and amylase tended to decrease both in concentration and output from control to CCP. LF concentration was elevated in CCP (18.0 +/- 4.9 micrograms/ml) when compared with controls (2.3 +/- 0.2 micrograms/ml), and LF output in NCP (12.3 +/- 3.8 micrograms/min) was increased from controls (3.8 +/- 0.6 micrograms/min). The combination of high LF concentration with low protein output was observed in 10/14 in CCP but 0/14 in NCP and can be a biochemical discriminator of CCP from NCP. SC concentrations were also elevated in NCP (8.5 +/- 2.0 micrograms/ml) and CCP (5.6 +/- 1.6 micrograms/ml) from controls (1.2 +/- 0.2 micrograms/ml). SC outputs in SCP (9.8 +/- 3.1 micrograms/min) and NCP (21.1 +/- 4.8 micrograms/min) were increased from controls (1.7 +/- 0.3 micrograms/min), but there was no further increase in CCP. Hypersecretion of LF and SC in chronic pancreatitis is different, especially in CCP, although the mechanisms for hypersecretion are unknown.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amylases; Calcinosis; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Proteins; Secretory Component

Immunohistochemistry was used to study the localization of lysozyme (LZ) and lactoferrin (LF) in the human sinus mucosa during recurrent and chronic sinusitis. Serous cells of submucosal mixed glands and polymorphonuclear leukocytes both displayed a strongly positive staining reaction to both LZ and LF in the normal mucosa. A positive though weak staining for LZ and LF could also be found occasionally within goblet cells. In the mucosa from patients with recurrent or chronic sinusitis, the staining reaction to LZ appeared to intensify in goblet cells. Furthermore, an increased immunoreactivity of glands vis-à-vis LZ and LF was also noted occasionally. Atypical glands were frequently found in mucosa from patients with chronic sinusitis. The epithelium of these latter glands often showed an intense staining reaction to LF, but a rather weak reaction to LZ. The results of the present study suggest that the observed increase in LZ and LF secreting activity of goblet cells, epithelial cells and newly formed atypical glands may play a part in the defense mechanism of the sinus mucosa during the course of chronic sinusitis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lactoferrin; Male; Maxillary Sinusitis; Middle Aged; Mucous Membrane; Muramidase; Recurrence

Topics: Bronchitis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Muramidase

Lactoferrin and lysozyme are proteins found in high concentrations on mucosal surfaces, and they have activities potentially important for the modulation of inflammation. To investigate whether these proteins might contribute to the modulation of the intraluminal airway inflammation associated with chronic bronchitis, lactoferrin and lysozyme were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from 22 subjects with chronic bronchitis and, for comparison, with 10 symptom-free smokers and 16 normal subjects. As a further control, transferrin, a protein structurally homologous to lactoferrin but not known to arise in airway epithelial cells, was also measured. BAL was performed by sequentially instilling and retrieving five 20 ml aliquots of normal saline solution into each of three sites. Analyzing the first aliquots separately from the later four provided fluid that was enriched for airway contents. The concentration of lactoferrin (11.83 +/- 2.86 micrograms/ml vs 0.68 +/- 0.18 micrograms/ml, p less than 0.00001), and lysozyme (6.75 +/- 1.51 micrograms/ml vs 0.52 +/- 0.09 microgram/ml, p less than 0.00001), but not transferrin (3.22 +/- 0.38 microgram/ml vs 2.68 +/- 0.24 micrograms/ml, p = 0.55) was higher in the bronchial sample lavage fluid, suggesting an airway origin for lactoferrin and lysozyme. In subjects with chronic bronchitis, bronchial sample lactoferrin (23.1 +/- 0.5 micrograms/ml) and lysozyme (12.6 +/- 3.5 micrograms/ml) were elevated compared with the normal subjects' lactoferrin (1.9 +/- 0.5 micrograms/ml, p less than 0.0001) and lysozyme (0.77 +/- 0.22 microgram/ml, p less than 0.0001) and the symptom-free smokers' lactoferrin (4.1 +/- 0.8 micrograms/ml, p = 0.005) and lysozyme (4.9 +/- 1.3 micrograms/ml, p = 0.02). Transferrin concentrations did not demonstrate the same relationships. Finally, when the content of bronchial sample lactoferrin and lysozyme were compared with the content of bronchial sample neutrophils, poor correlations were found, which may imply an airway epithelial origin for the two proteins. Thus lactoferrin and lysozyme appear to arise in the lower respiratory tract within the airways and their levels are elevated in association with chronic bronchitis. This suggests that lactoferrin and lysozyme may contribute to the modulation of airway inflammation in chronic bronchitis.

Topics: Bronchi; Bronchitis; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Chronic Disease; Epithelium; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Pulmonary Alveoli; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory System; Smoking; Transferrin

The mass fraction of certain elements was measured in isolated granulocytes and isolated granulocyte granule fractions from patients with active inflammatory arthritides (N = 6) and healthy controls (N = 6). The patients had significantly increased amounts of Ca in the granulocytes, in the specific and light azurophil granules, but normal Ca amounts in the dense azurophil granules. Sr was below the detection limit in the granulocytes and granule fraction from controls, but it appeared in high concentrations in the granulocytes and all granule fractions from the patients. The patients had considerably increased granulocyte amounts of Mn but only slightly increased Mn concentrations in the specific granules. Mn was not detectable in azurophil granules from patients and controls. A prominent accumulation of Fe was seen in the granulocytes from the patients, together with an Fe accumulation in the specific granules. Fe was below the detection limit in azurophil granules from patients and controls. The patients had reduced granulocyte Zn and reduced amounts of Zn in the dense and light azurophil granules but normal Zn amounts in the specific granules. The results obtained indicate that the granulocyte accumulation of Ca, Sr, and Fe observed during chronic inflammation is associated with corresponding granule accumulation of these metals; the considerable Mn accumulation in granulocytes during inflammation is not localized in their granules; and the granule subpopulations differ in their capacity to store certain metals.

Topics: Arthritis; Chronic Disease; Cytoplasmic Granules; Humans; Lactoferrin; Metals; Neutrophils; Peroxidase; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission

In 29 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 15 patients with malignant tumours of the pancreas and in 30 controls lactoferrin in fluid aspirated from the duodenum was assessed during the cholecystokinin-secretin (CCK-S) test. As compared with the control group, its concentration is significantly higher in patients with chronic pancreatitis, but not in patients with malignant tumours of the pancreas. It is probable that estimation of lactoferrin in the CCK-S test may prove helpful in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic disease.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Duodenum; Humans; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis

Topics: Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Sputum

To evaluate the clinical value of lactoferrin determination in duodenal contents in patients with chronic pancreatitis, three different studies were performed. No significant difference in meal stimulated output or secretion pattern was found between seven patients with chronic pancreatitis and six controls. After a meal test in 88 patients suspected for pancreatitis no correlation between concentration of lactoferrin and amylase was found. No correlation was found between degree of obstruction at endoscopic retrograde pancreaticography and duodenal concentration of lactoferrin. We conclude that the diagnostic value of lactoferrin determinations in chronic pancreatitis is doubtful.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Amylases; Chronic Disease; Duodenum; Female; Humans; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Ducts; Pancreatitis

In 20 patients with chronic neutropenia, serum lactoferrin (S-LF) and serum myeloperoxidase (S-MPO) levels were assessed. By immunofluorescence, granulocyte-bound immunoglobulins were detected in 12 patients, whereas circulating immune complexes were found in the blood of 8 patients by the 125-I-C1q-binding test (C1q-BT). In both groups of patients, there was a relative increase of S-LF and a relative or sometimes absolute increase of S-MPO. In the latter group, results of the C1q-BT correlated positively with S-MPO but negatively with neutrophil counts. No correlations between S-LF or S-MPO and the results of the granulocyte immunofluorescence test were found. Our results suggest that S-LF and S-MPO levels may be helpful in the further study of patients with chronic neutropenia, to gain more insight into the pathogenetic mechanisms operative in this disease.

Topics: Agranulocytosis; Chronic Disease; Complement Activating Enzymes; Complement C1q; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Granulocytes; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Leukocyte Count; Neutropenia; Peroxidase

A study was made of the humoral (IgA, G, M, lysozyme and lactoferrin) and cellular links (phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages) of pulmonary local defence as well as sputum adhesion in 177 patients with chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases (80 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis, 54 patients with pyo-obstructive bronchitis, 23 patients with chronic purulent bronchitis and 20 patients with chronic nonobstructive bronchitis). A rise of the level of lysozyme and lactoferrin in the bronchial content and sputum as compared to the initial level was accompanied by a decrease in the sputum adhesion and promoted the elimination of exacerbation. In the absence of a rise or reduction of the concentration of lysozyme and lactoferrin over time more prolonged exacerbations and a tendency to purulent complications were noted. A stable drop or absence of IgA in bronchial wash off were observed in patients with IgA selective deficiency, and lung lesions were characterized by inclination to frequent recurrences, lingering exacerbations, concomitant diseases of the accessory sinuses and GI tract disorders. Indices of the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages in patients with chronic purulent bronchitis, particularly against a background of chronic alcoholic intoxication, were significantly lower as compared to patients with catarrhal bronchitis.

Topics: Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Chronic Disease; Dysgammaglobulinemia; Humans; IgA Deficiency; Immunoglobulins; Lactoferrin; Lung; Macrophages; Muramidase; Phagocytosis; Pneumonia; Pulmonary Alveoli; Recurrence; Sputum

The hemorheologic changes in three groups of patients suffering from acute and chronic cerebrovascular diseases were studied. Firstly, a horizontal study on 57 patients with definite stroke and on 49 patients with TIA was made. Plasma viscosity, whole blood filtration rate, fibrinogen concentration and hematocrit were evaluated as markers of the rheological property of blood. Blood samples were drawn within 6 h from the onset of vascular syndrome. The findings were compared with values obtained in 112 as controls. At the same time, washed red cell filtration rate, together with lactoferrin, betaglucuronidase and beta-thromboglobulin plasma level were assayed. In both groups the onset of the vascular storm was associated with a marked increase of plasma fibrinogen and of blood and plasma viscosity and a significant decrease of whole blood filterability. Lactoferrin, betaglucuronidase and beta-thromboglobulin levels were also significantly increased. Following this, a longitudinal study was performed on 27 patients with definite stroke and 32 patients with TIA. The clinical regression of acute stroke was associated with the progressive reduction of rheological abnormalities. Finally, 81 patients with clinical diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease due to previous stroke or repeated TIA were studied together. An increase of blood viscosity, of fibrinogen concentration and of hematocrit and a decrease of blood filtration rate together with higher levels of beta-thromboglobulin were registered. These results confirm the existence of an association between CVD and hemorheological alterations and suggest more in depth research directed towards identifying the significance of these alterations in the pathogenesis of tissue ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Aged; beta-Thromboglobulin; Blood Viscosity; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Chronic Disease; Erythrocyte Deformability; Female; Hematocrit; Humans; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Lactoferrin; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Rheology

Immunohistochemical detection of lactoferrin (LF), lysozyme (LZ) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was made in obstructive adenitis of the submandibular glands. Atrophic and altered acinar cells in the early stage of the lesion stained strongly for LF, whereas they were unreactive or stained slightly for LZ. Ductal cells usually stained for LZ. Staining for CEA was strong and irregularly distributed in altered acinar cells. Duct-like structures and dilated ductal segments in the chronic stage were generally negative for LF, LZ and CEA. Secretory components in luminal cavities gave abundant staining for LF, LZ and CEA. Histocytes which infiltrated into the connective tissue in the later stage showed a positive LZ reaction.

Topics: Acute Disease; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Chronic Disease; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Salivary Gland Diseases; Sialadenitis; Submandibular Gland; Submandibular Gland Diseases

Lactoferrin (LF), chymotrypsin and lipase activity were measured in duodenal juice during pancreatic stimulation. Secretin (0.5 CU/kg/h) plus cerulein (75 ng/kg/h) were infused intravenously in 98 subjects: 33 patients without organic diseases (C), 40 patients affected by chronic pancreatitis (CP), and 25 patients with different gastrointestinal diseases (GID). LF was determined by means of a new noncompetitive immunoenzymatic assay with a sensitivity in the duodenal juice of 5 ng/ml. Duodenal LF concentrations were significantly higher in CP than in C or GID (p less than 0.001). LF was in a normal range in acute relapsing pancreatitis due to biliary stones or pancreas divisum. In the diagnosis of the chronic pancreatitis, LF/lipase ratios showed a specificity of 93% and a sensitivity of 95%. Our results show that LF immunoassay in duodenal juice is a sensitive and accurate assay to apply in pancreatic function tests involving duodenal content analysis.

Topics: Adult; Body Fluids; Ceruletide; Chronic Disease; Chymotrypsin; Duodenum; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Lipase; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Secretin

To test the discriminatory potential of certain indices of pancreatic function we performed duodenal perfusion studies and measured trypsin, bicarbonate, and lactoferrin outputs, and plasma concentrations of pancreatic polypeptide and motilin in the basal state and during continuous intravenous stimulation with 100 ng kg-1h-1 Ceruletide and 1 CU kg-1h-1 secretin. The following groups were studied: 12 normal volunteers (NV), seven patients with chronic pancreatitis with steatorrhea (CPS), and seven without steatorrhea (CP). Stimulated trypsin outputs, after 45 min of stimulation, were the best discriminant among the groups (NV versus CPS, p less than 0.0005; NV versus CP, p less than 0.005; CP versus CPS, p less than 0.05). Basal trypsin outputs showed similar patterns but failed to discriminate between NV and CP. Bicarbonate outputs were less discriminatory than trypsin outputs. Lactoferrin outputs failed to discriminate, but transient high peak outputs occurred in the initial stimulation period in all four patients with calcific chronic pancreatitis, suggesting a washout phenomenon. Basal motilin levels were elevated in both groups of pancreatitis (p less than 0.05). Stimulated pancreatic polypeptide levels were lower in CPS (NV versus CPS, p less than 0.05) but higher in CP (NV versus CP, p less than 0.005). These differences were also apparent in the basal state. We conclude that the best discrimination among the three groups was achieved by measurement of trypsin outputs, after 45 min of stimulation. In addition, the pancreatic polypeptide response may be used as a marker of residual pancreatic function in chronic pancreatitis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bicarbonates; Celiac Disease; Ceruletide; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Islets of Langerhans; Lactoferrin; Male; Middle Aged; Motilin; Pancreas; Pancreatic Polypeptide; Pancreatitis; Secretin; Trypsin

The aim of this study was to investigate immunological aspects of the inflammatory reaction in the submandibular gland during chronic sialadenitis. Specimens of 54 patients registered at the Institute of Pathology at the University of Hamburg were stained according to the indirect immunoperoxidase method. The distribution patterns of Ig-secreting plasma cells (IgA, IgG, IgM) and of the enzymes lactoferrin, lysozyme, and secretory component were analysed. The formation of lymph follicles was also examined. The results were as follows: Stage 1 of the chronic sialadenitis starts as a simple inflammation with an increase of IgA-secreting plasma cells around the ducts. During stage 2 the unspecific, humoral part of the immune system is stimulated. The production of lactoferrin and lysozyme is enhanced. The titer of IgA rises due to activation of the local, specific immune system. The simultaneous rise of the IgG titer is probably caused by production at different sites. During the course of stage 3--4, the cells involved in the local, unspecific immune system are destroyed. The number of IgG secreting plasma cells also decreases. The formation of lymph follicles and the infiltration of the gland by lymphocytes is interpreted as a transition to the cellular immune response. Stage 4 of the Küttner tumor shows similarities to the autoimmune disease of Sjögren's syndrome.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Lactoferrin; Muramidase; Plasma Cells; Salivary Gland Diseases; Secretory Component; Sialadenitis; Submandibular Gland; Submandibular Gland Diseases

Forty five cases of chronic pancreatitis have been diagnosed between January 1966 to July 1983 in the Hospital A. Posadas. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of one or more of the following data: pancreatic calcifications positive in 35, abnormal secretin test 37, ultrasonography and computed tomography pathological findings 10. Surgical operations were carried out in 25 patients and biopsy taken in 5. Thirty nine (86.6%) were males, 6 (13.3%) females, the mean age in each group was 47.4 and 39.8 years. Chronic alcoholism was certain in 41 (91.9) patients, in the remainder 4 no other etiologic factors were found. The main clinical data were: Weight loss 38 (84.4%) diabetes 34 (75.5%) pain 33 (73.3% in 7 as acute pancreatitis) Steatorrhea 23 (51.1%) jaundice 16 (35.5%- 11 by extrahepatic biliary tree obstruction, 5 by hepatic cirrhosis) pseudocysts 12 (26.6%). The more common associated diseases were: hepatic cirrhosis 6, fatty liver 2 (17.7%) gastroduodenal ulcer 6 (13.3%) cancer 4 (8.8%--gastric 1, pancreatic 3). In order to study the frequency of the clinical data the patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of calcifications and the etiologic factor Symptoms and signs were matched and statistic analysis (coefficient association phi) was made. Only a moderate association between acute pancreatitis in no calcified group and diabetes in calcified group were found. The chronologic study of certains clinical data shows that acute pancreatitis, jaundice, pseudo-cyst and surgical operations were significative more frequent in the first five years while diabetes has little more frequency in the second five year period. Twenty six surgical operations were carried out in 25 patients; 20 (76.9%) due to complications, 6 (23.1%) secondary to pain (pancreatic resection 3, pancreatoyeyunostomy 2, exploration 1). Twenty three patients were lost to follow-up, 12 died and 10 are still alive. This last group was followed at regular period, 8 remained asymptomatic and 2 have intermittent abdominal pain related to alcoholic ingestion.

Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Calcinosis; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Male; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Secretin; Sex Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography

Lactoferrin as assayed by a radial immunodiffusion technique was studied in pure pancreatic juice collected at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography from 23 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 12 with acute pancreatitis, 21 with pancreatic cancer, and 29 cases of nonpancreatic gastrointestinal disease. No clear difference between lactoferrin concentrations in the chronic pancreatitis patients and other groups was found. Moreover, most lactoferrin levels were below the limit of detection in our assay. In addition, lactoferrin total protein ratios did not appear to be of value in the differential diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. These results seem to be in contrast to the findings of other authors, who measured lactoferrin in duodenal fluid--which is unreliable, in our opinion--or who mainly studied chronic pancreatitis patients and few other pancreatic diseases. Lactoferrin might well be a nonspecific marker for serious pancreatic inflammation.

Topics: Acute Disease; Cholelithiasis; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis

The diagnostic relevance of measuring calcium and lactoferrin in duodenal juice collected after stimulation is unclear. Concentration and output of these compounds were therefore analyzed after maximal stimulation of the pancreas according to Ribet, the duodenal juice being collected during an endoscopic procedure as described earlier. Kinetics of secretion showed a maximum within the first 10 minutes. Values of calcium and lactoferrin were not statistically different in normal persons (n = 32) and patients with chronic pancreatitis (n = 11). There was a good correlation to concentration of bilirubin (p less than 0.001), however no correlation to concentrations of immunoreactive trypsin and lipase. It must be assumed, that calcium and lactoferrin in duodenal juice are not only of pancreatic origin. These measurements are therefore useless in the diagnosis of pancreatitis.

Topics: Adult; Calcium; Chronic Disease; Duodenum; Female; Humans; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis

A sandwich enzyme immunoassay was developed for human lactoferrin using polystyrene balls coated with specific IgG fraction as the first antibody and peroxidase labelled IgG fraction as the second antibody. The detection limit was 1 microgram/l. A good parallelism was observed with the curves obtained from standard lactoferrin (purified from mammary gland), plasma lactoferrin (mainly derived from granulocytes), and pancreatic lactoferrin demonstrating that the assay may be used to measure the level of the protein in different biological materials. The simplicity and the sensitivity of this assay may permit the follow-up of patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (in which an increase of pancreatic lactoferrin has already been demonstrated) and a study of the protein in various circumstances leading to a better understanding of its biological role.

Topics: Adult; Body Fluids; Chronic Disease; Duodenum; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Reference Values

Topics: Albumins; Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Lactoferrin; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Spectrophotometry

In a prospective study we have measured the lactoferrin level of duodenal juice under secretin plus caerulein pancreatic stimulation in 78 subjects. Subjects was divided in 4 groups as follows: 27 controls, 11 pancreatic disease without chronic pancreatitis (CP), 17 CP and 23 suspicions of CP. Lactoferrin was assayed by radial immunodiffusion and the level was referred to lipase activity. The test was considered as positive when lactoferrin (microgram/ml) X 100/lipase (U/ml) greater than 0.1. No one control subject had a positive test, 2 pancreatic cancers out of 4, 1 acute pancreatitis out of 7, 12 CP out of 17 had a positive test. The sensitivity (0.71) and the specificity (0.92) of the test do not allow us to propose this test as unequivocal in the diagnosis of CP.

Topics: Body Fluids; Chronic Disease; Duodenum; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatitis

Lactoferrin is a nonenzymatic secretory protein of human pancreas specifically increased in the external pancreatic secretion of patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis. The possibility of an elevated concentration of plasma lactoferrin level in these patients needed to be explored even if the low pancreatic concentration of the protein did not favor this hypothesis. As expected, no increase could be observed between the plasma lactoferrin level of 16 patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (131 +/- 15 micrograms/l), compared to 17 controls (166 +/- 11 micrograms/l) and 15 patients with different organic diseases (187 +/- 18 micrograms/l).

Topics: Calcinosis; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatitis

Lactoferrin is present in pancreatic juice, and greatly increased concentrations are found in the pancreatic juice of patients with chronic pancreatitis. It is not known whether these high levels of lactoferrin represent a genetically determined defect predisposing to the later development of chronic pancreatitis or are simply a consequence of the disease. In view of the morphological and functional similarities between the pancreatic and parotid glands, we have measured the immunoreactive lactoferrin concentration in pure parotid saliva of 30 patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis, 26 controls, 5 patients with proven pancreatic cancer, 2 patients with Sjögren's disease and 2 patients with chronic recurrent parotitis. No difference in the lactoferrin concentration was detected between control subjects and patients with chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. Raised levels were found in the 4 patients with parotid gland disease. These findings suggest that increased lactoferrin secretion is confined to the exocrine pancreas in patients with chronic pancreatitis and is thus probably a phenomenon secondary to the disease.

Topics: Calcinosis; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Parotid Gland; Parotitis; Radioimmunoassay; Saliva; Sjogren's Syndrome; Specimen Handling

To investigate the role of lactoferrin in intraductal protein precipitates in chronic pancreatitis, lactoferrin was measured in pure pancreatic juice collected by endoscopic retrograde pancreatic cannulation using a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay. Significant gradual increase in the lactoferrin concentration and output was observed in chronic pancreatitis (mean +/- SE = 1.13 +/- 0.04 microgram/ml, 1.61 +/- 0.44 microgram/min for five controls; 4.73 +/- 0.70 microgram/ml, 14.1 +/- 2.86 micrograms/min for 15 patients with noncalcified mild chronic pancreatitis; 23.6 +/- 4.7 micrograms/ml, 28.4 +/- 13.4 micrograms/min for four with chronic pancreatitis with visible protein plugs or calculi). The total protein in the juice gradually decreased in chronic pancreatitis (12.8 +/- 1.48 mg/ml for control, 7.6 +/- 1.37 for noncalcified, 5.2 +/- 1.27 for patients with plugs or calculi). Lactoferrin appears to rise as the disease progresses and although this may be important etiologically, it may also just be an accompanying protein which increases as the disease progresses.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreas; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis

Topics: Aged; Blood Proteins; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Chromatography, Gel; Chronic Disease; Cytoplasmic Granules; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Female; Granulocytes; Humans; Lactoferrin; Leukocyte Count; Muramidase; Neutrophils; Peroxidase; Pruritus; Ribonucleases

Saliva from one parotid gland was collected under citric acid stimulation in three groups consisting of 69 control subjects and two groups consisting of 25 patients with chronic and relapsing chronic pancreatitis. Mixed saliva was collected under mechanical stimulation from 10 patients and 6 control subjects. Flow rates and the contents of bicarbonate, amylase and protein were determined. In a subgroup of patients and controls albumin and lactoferrin were measured. Wide inter- and intraindividual variations of secretory values were observed and normal values (which are reported in detail) were highly dependent from conditions of stimulation. Secretory patterns were not significantly different between patients and control subjects. It is concluded that the alterations leading to an elevation of albumin and lactoferrin and a fall in other secretory values are restricted to the exocrine pancreas and do not affect salivary glands in chronic pancreatitis.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Albumins; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Parotid Gland; Saliva

Topics: Chronic Disease; Cross Reactions; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatitis; Radioimmunoassay

Lactoferrin is a non-enzymatic secretory protein of human pancreas and is specifically increased in pancreatic juice of patients with chronic pancreatitis. Duodenal contents being easier to obtain than pure pancreatic juice, the possibility of using lactoferrin measurement in duodenal juice as a diagnosis test for chronic pancreatitis was explored. Forty-eight patients were studied. Duodenal juice was obtained devoid of salivary contamination by a special double lumen tube. Under these conditions lactoferrin secretion (concentration and output) is increased in patients with chronic pancreatitis. When expressed as the ratio of lactoferrin to lipase units, there was no overlap between chronic pancreatitis and other pancreatic disease or controls. The simplicity and the reproducibility of the technique on a material as readily available as duodenal juice confirms the diagnostic value of lactoferrin measurement in the assessment of patients with suspected pancreatic disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Chronic Disease; Chymotrypsin; Duodenum; Female; Humans; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Lipase; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Phospholipases

Topics: Calculi; Chronic Disease; Duodenum; Humans; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Diseases; Pancreatitis; Radioimmunoassay

Lactoferrin and albumin concentrations in pure pancreatic juice were studied by radial immunodiffusion in 81 patients. Lactoferrin concentration (% of total protein) was specifically increased in patients suffering from chronic calcifying pancreatitis (mean +/- SE: 0.169 +/- 0.024) and no overlap was observed with patients suffering from other pancreatic diseases (0.008 +/- 0.001), organic nonpancreatic diseases (0.011 +/- 0.001) and without organic disease (0.01 +/- 0.001). Lactoferrin concentration was not found to be correlated with chronic alcohol consumption or pancreatic insufficiency. Albumin concentration (% of total protein) was increased in patients suffering from chronic calcifying pancreatitis (5.55 +/- 0.49) and other pancreatic diseases (5.45 +/- 1.02). These values were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than the corresponding values in patients with organic nonpancreatic diseases (1.66 +/- 0.16) and patients without organic diseases (1.46 +/- 0.22). Measuring lactoferrin and albumin in pancreatic juice may aid in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease and in the differentiation of chronic calcifying pancreatitis, even in the earliest stage, from other pancreatic diseases such as pancreatic carcinoma or acute pancreatitis.

Topics: Adult; Albumins; Alcohol Drinking; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Lipase; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Diseases; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis

Topics: Acute Disease; Bronchi; Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Immunoglobulins; Infant; Lactoferrin; Muramidase; Pneumonia, Staphylococcal

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Function Tests; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis

Topics: Animals; Calcinosis; Chronic Disease; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Rats

Bronchial secretions from 207 children suffering from various pulmonary diseases and from 15 healthy controls were tested concentration of IgA, IgG, lactoferrin and lysozyme. The results obtained suggest that in many cases of chronic lung diseases in children the levels of lactoferrin and immunoglobulins, especially secretory IgA, are very low. In severe infections (cystic fibrosis, bronchiectases) significant increase of IgG concentration was observed.

Topics: Adolescent; Bronchi; Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Cystic Fibrosis; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Recurrence; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections

The concentration of immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and lysozyme we compared in bronchial secretions obtained from children with various chronic lung diseases. The IgG, lactoferrin and lysozyme, but not secretory IgA, concentrations were shown to be increased during chronic inflammatory response.

Topics: Adolescent; Bronchi; Bronchiectasis; Bronchitis; Bronchography; Bronchoscopy; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Cystic Fibrosis; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Immunoglobulin G; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Levels of immunoreactive trypsin were measured in pure pancreatic juice obtained endoscopically from 44 patients with suspected pancreatic disease. Patients with pancreatic cancer all had low trypsin concentrations (median 3.6 micrograms/ml, range 0.6--12.0), but those with chronic pancreatitis had very variable levels (median 14.2 micrograms/ml, range 3.2--76.8), showing a considerable overlap with patients without pancreatic disease (median 37.1 micrograms/ml, range 10.4--66.0). When levels of lactoferrin in pancreatic juice were measured, all patients with chronic pancreatitis were found to have much higher levels (all greater than 900 ng/ml) than control subjects or patients with pancreatic cancer (all less than 400 ng/ml). The combined measurement of trypsin and lactoferrin in pure pancreatic juice appeared to be more promising than any other currently available test for the separation of patients with pancreatic cancer from those with chronic pancreatitis.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Radioimmunoassay; Trypsin

As compared to 20 controls, 14 patients with chronic pancreatitis showed a significantly higher lactoferrin level in pure pancreatic secretion. The determination of lactoferrin levels in pure pancreatic secretion is an important parameter in the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis.

Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Female; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Pancreatic Ducts; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis

Lactoferrin, a protein present in pancreatic juice and other exocrine secretions, was measured by radioimmunoassay in pure pancreatic juice obtained by endoscopic cannulation of the pancreatic duct. Lactoferrin concentrations were high in pancreatic juice from patients with chronic pancreatitis, but they were considerably lower in juice from control subjects and patients with carcinoma of the pancreas. The measurement of lactoferrin concentrations in pure pancreatic juice may be useful in the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pancreatitis; Radioimmunoassay

Topics: Chronic Disease; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis; Radioimmunoassay

Topics: Adult; Amylases; Chronic Disease; Electrophoresis; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Muramidase; Parotitis; Peroxidase; Recurrence; Saliva; Transferrin

During the active phase of chronic recurrent parotitis there is a marked elevation in the parotid concentration of lactoferrin (Lf), and iron-binding glycoprotein with antibacterial properties. The Lf concentration decreases during the recovery period, but still remains above normal levels. The changes of Lf in parotitis parallel recent findings in mastitis and pancreatitis. Elevations in Lf were also noted in five of six subjects with Sjögren's disease, but not in subjects with sarcoidosis, diabetes or "dry mouth" without sialographic changes. The source of the Lf has not been determined; it could arise in part from disrupting polymorphonuclear leucocytes and in part from epithelial cells that synthesize Lf in the salivary glands. Inflammatory stimulation of Lf synthesis would suggest a basic protective mechanism in exocrine glands and should be fully explored.

Topics: Albumins; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Parotitis; Recurrence; Saliva; Sarcoidosis; Secretory Rate; Sjogren's Syndrome; Xerostomia

The protein composition of normal human pancreatic juice and pancreatic juice of men with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) were compared using immuno-diffusion techniques. An additional protein was found in pathological pancreatic juice and this protein has been identified as lactoferrin. Its concentration has been determined. The indirect immunofluorescence method was used to detect and localize lactoferrin in 9 samples of human pancreas from 3 patients with CCP and 6 patients without CCP. The fluorescence was found in all samples. Lactoferrin staining was localized in lumen acinar and in the cytoplasm of the acinar cells. The fluorescence was stronger in the apical zone of acinar cells. When lactoferrin antiserum was incubated with lactoferrin insolubilized by glutaraldehyde, no fluorescence staining was detected. The differences between our results obtained by immunodiffusion and immunofluorescence techniques are explained by the different sensitivity of the two techniques and these results indicate that lactoferrin is a protein of pancreatic secretion.

Topics: Chronic Disease; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Pancreas; Pancreatic Juice; Pancreatitis

We have shown the presence of lactoferrin in the pancreatic juice of patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) and its absence in controls. In this work, lactoferrin has been found in saliva, but neither in gastric juice nor in bile. Therefore, a technique for collecting the human duodenal juice with a rubber tube and preventing its contamination with saliva is described. In the duodenal juice of 15 patients with CCP, 52 controls without evident pancreatic diseases, and 9 cases of pancreatic diseases other than CCP, lactoferrin has been searched for by immunological methods before and after an intravenous injection of CCK-PZ (3 U CHR) + secretin ( C U). The lactoferrin test in positive in 5, inconclusive in 6, and negative in 41 cases, and in the 9 cases of non-CCP pancreatic diseases it is negative. The use of this test in the diagnosis of CCP is proposed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Bile; Child; Child, Preschool; Chronic Disease; Duodenum; Female; Gastric Juice; Humans; Intestinal Secretions; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Middle Aged; Pancreatitis; Saliva

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Calculi; Chromatography, Gel; Chronic Disease; Chymotrypsin; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Immunodiffusion; Immunoelectrophoresis; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Molecular Weight; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Potentiometry; Rabbits; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet