Beneficial Effect Of Lactoferrin On The Microbiota From Gastrointestinal Tract

Our organism is colonized by trillions of symbiotic bacteria. The most numerous and varied bacterial population colonizes colon, upper respiratory airways and urogenital system. They act multidirectionally supporting our health. Symbiotic microbiota helps in acquirement of nutrients, regulates action of the immune system protecting mucosa and whole organism against pathogens, neutralizes some xenobiotics, thus acts as a preventive measure against carcinogenic mutations. This beneficial microbiota may be supported by uptake of probiotics and/or prebiotics in foods, diet supplements and drugs. They can be found in milk and dairy products, in particular fermented ones (e.g kefir, yoghurt and cheese), which contain both probiotics and prebiotics, including lactoferrin. This protein has a confirmed action promoting growth of symbiotic microbiota of intestine and urogenital tract. Such activity, associated with antimicrobial action regarding pathogenic microorganisms, restores equilibrium of microbiota within mucous membranes that effectively eliminates pathogens and inflammatory processes. Youngest children are supported by lactoferrin acquired with maternal milk. Later we can relay on our own, endogenous proteins, secreted by mucous membranes and neutrophils and supply of dairy products (not subjected to aggressive thermal processing) or diet supplements. We can find in the market the products containing lactoferrin alone, with another prebiotic, e.g inulin or oligosaccharides, and also with probiotics. Orally taken lactoferrin is effective as proved in a number of clinical studies. The protein is relatively resistant to digestion, may reach intestine, where acts on gut microbiota and local lymphoid tissue. In this way lactoferrin may enhance immunological status of our mucous system. 1. Introduction. 2. Gut microbiota. 3. Lactoferrin in gastrointestinal tract. 4. Prebiotic activity in gastrointestinal tract – in vitro tests. 5. Prebiotic activity in gastrointestinal tract – in vivo tests. 6. Lactoferrin in diet and nutritional supplements. 7. Summary