Lactoferrin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

Lactoferrin (LF) plays various anti-inflammatory roles in inflammation experimentally induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). But the protective effects of LF on LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) have not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to study the effects of LF on ALI caused by LPS in mice. At 1 h before or after LPS injection, an intraperitoneal injection of LF (5 mg/body) was administered. Lung specimens and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were isolated for histopathological examinations and biochemical analyses 12 h after LPS exposure. We found that both prophylactic and therapeutic administration of LF significantly decreased the W/D ratio of the lung and protein concentration in the BALF. LF significantly reduced the pulmonary myeloperoxidase activity and the number of total cells in the BALF 12 h after LPS challenge. LF treatment markedly attenuated lung edema, alveolar hemorrhage and inflammatory cells infiltration. Moreover, LF also decreased the production of TNF-α and increased interleukin-10 in the BALF. These results firstly indicate that LF may protect against LPS-induced ALI in mice.

► Lactoferrin is primarily found in mammalian milks and neutrophilic granules. ► This paper firstly found that LF protects against LPS-induced ALI in mice. ► Prophylactic and therapeutic administration of LF had analogously protective effect on ALI. ► LF may have an anti-inflammatory activity by regulating inflammatory cytokines.