lactoferrin and Skin-Diseases

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein widely present in mammalian secretions and possesses documented protective effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. While its therapeutic use is being investigated for a myriad of diseases, there is increasing interest in its application for skin disease. Our objective was to systematically review the clinical evidence for the use and efficacy of lactoferrin for the treatment of dermatological conditions. Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for clinical studies evaluating lactoferrin for dermatological conditions. A total of six studies were reviewed. Of the current clinical trials, there is encouraging evidence to suggest that lactoferrin may be beneficial in acne, psoriasis, and diabetic ulcerations. Although the current evidence is promising, further research is necessary to establish lactoferrin as complementary therapy in the clinical setting.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Complementary Therapies; Dermatology; Humans; Lactoferrin; Skin Diseases

Lactoferrin (LF) is recognized as a host defensive glycoprotein, especially for newborn infants. The aim of this study was to investigate whether orally administered LF had protective activity against UV-induced skin damage in hairless mice. Transepidermal water loss and skin hydration were evaluated in nonirradiated mice, UVB-irradiated mice, and UVB-irradiated and LF-administered mice. Supplementation with LF (1,600 mg/kg per day) effectively suppressed the increase in transepidermal water loss, reduction in skin hydration, aberrant epidermal hyperplasia, and cell apoptosis induced by UV irradiation. Although no significant changes in superoxide dismutase-like activity or malondialdehyde levels were observed in the skin with both UV irradiation and LF administration, UV-stimulated IL-1β levels in the skin were significantly suppressed by the administration of LF. Oral supplementation with LF has the potential to reduce IL-1β levels and prevent UV-induced skin damage. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationships between the antiinflammatory effects and skin protective function of LF.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animal Feed; Animals; Cattle; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Lactoferrin; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Skin Diseases; Ultraviolet Rays

Lactoferrin (LF), a glycogen of the transferrin family with anti-bacterial and immunomodulatory properties, is expressed in various secretions and tissues. Cutaneous LF serves as a mast cell stabilising compound, modulates T cell activity and is found during IgE-mediated late phase reactions at allergen challenged sites. Culicoides hypersensitivity (CHS) in horses is a common IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis, characterised by an early and late phase cutaneous reaction upon allergen challenge. The aim of the study presented here was to examine whether LF mRNA expression in skin biopsies from horses affected by CHS prior to and 4h following intradermal challenge with a commercial C. nubeculosus extract is modified in comparison to skin biopsies from non-affected horses. In order to obtain reliable data, real time PCR was performed and genes of interest were normalized using three different housekeeping genes, beta-actin, GAPDH, beta-2-microglobulin. In comparison to non-affected horses, higher variation in LF mRNA levels both prior to and post-intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract was seen in horses affected by CHS. However, the statistical analysis demonstrated that LF mRNA expression was not significantly different between CHS affected and non-affected horses prior to intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract. Intradermal injection of C. nubeculosus extract did not result in local upregulation of LF mRNA at 4h post-injection. LF mRNA expression was therefore not significantly different pre- or post-intradermal challenge with C. nubeculosus extract in either group. Our data indicate that clinically normal skin of horses affected by CHS is not characterized by modified maintenance levels of LF mRNA. In contrast to human skin allergen challenged sites, LF mRNA levels in horses affected by CHS are not significantly different to that of control sites at 4h post-injection of C. nubeculosus extract.

Topics: Animals; Ceratopogonidae; Horse Diseases; Horses; Hypersensitivity; Insect Bites and Stings; Lactoferrin; Mast Cells; Skin Diseases

Topics: Abscess; Adult; Cell Adhesion; Cell Aggregation; Cell Membrane; Chediak-Higashi Syndrome; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Granulocytes; Humans; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Phagocyte Bactericidal Dysfunction; Recurrence; Skin Diseases

An immunoperoxidase staining technique was used for detecting three major iron-binding proteins (transferrin, ferritin, and lactoferrin) in routine histological paraffin sections of human tissue. Transferrin was found mainly in hepatocytes, a variety of epithelial and myoepithelial cells, renal tubular cells, and histiocytes. Ferritin was most readily found in histiocytes and liver cells, with weaker reactions seen in epithelial cells. Lactoferrin was found in lactating breast tissue, bronchial glands, polymorphs, and gastric and duodenal epithelial cells. The technique is potentially valuable for investigating abnormal iron states.

Topics: Female; Ferritins; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lactoferrin; Lactoglobulins; Liver; Male; Pregnancy; Skin Diseases; Tissue Distribution; Transferrin