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Influence of lactoferrin feeding and injection against systemic staphylococcal infections in mice
R S Bhimani1, Y Vendrov, P Furmanski
1Department of Biology, New York University, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Human and bovine lactoferrins (Lfs) and bovine lactoferrin hydrolysate (LH) were assessed in vitro and in vivo for their antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus. Lactoferrins showed weak in vitro antibacterial activity while Fe-saturated Lfs and LH showed no activity. Lactoferrin-treated mice (1 mg, i.v.) when injected i.v. with 10(6) staphylococci, showed 30-50% reduction in kidney infections, and viable bacterial counts in the kidneys decreased 5-12-fold. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent up to 1 mg Lf. Lactoferrins were effective when given 1 day prior to the bacterial challenge, after which there was no significant effect even at doses up to 5 mg. Apo- and Fe-saturated forms of human and bovine Lfs were all equally effective, while LH was not protective. Human and bovine Lfs with different degrees of iron saturation (9-97%) were found to be equipotent. Feeding mice with 2% bLf in drinking water also reduced the kidney infections by 40-60%, and viable bacterial counts, 5-12-fold. The results suggest a potential for the use of Lfs as natural antibacterial proteins for preventing bacterial infections.
Insights
Human and bovine lactoferrins (Lfs) demonstrate antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus in vivo. While in vitro activity was limited, Lfs significantly reduced kidney infections in mice, suggesting potential as natural antibacterial agents.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is a significant human pathogen.
- Lactoferrin (Lf) is a natural protein with known antimicrobial properties.
- Understanding Lf's efficacy against S. aureus is crucial for developing novel therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial effects of human and bovine lactoferrins (Lfs) and bovine lactoferrin hydrolysate (LH) against Staphylococcus aureus.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of Lfs and LH.
Main Methods:
- In vitro and in vivo assays were performed using Lfs and LH against S. aureus.
- Mice were treated with Lf intravenously or orally before bacterial challenge.
- Antibacterial activity was measured by reduction in kidney infections and bacterial counts.
Main Results:
- Lactoferrins exhibited weak in vitro activity; Fe-saturated Lfs and LH showed no activity.
- Intravenous Lf administration reduced kidney infections by 30-50% and bacterial counts 5-12-fold.
- Oral administration of bovine Lf also reduced kidney infections by 40-60%.
Conclusions:
- Human and bovine lactoferrins show significant in vivo antibacterial effects against S. aureus.
- Lactoferrins are effective when administered prophylactically.
- Lactoferrins hold potential as natural antibacterial proteins for infection prevention.