Lactoferrin regulates the immune responses in post-surgical patients

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Surgical Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Post-surgical immune response can be altered, potentially leading to complications.
• Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein with known immunomodulatory properties.
• The impact of oral LF on pre- and post-thyroid surgery immune status requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of oral lactoferrin (LF) administration on immune response parameters in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.
• To compare immune responses between LF-treated patients and a placebo group.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 18 LF-treated patients and 28 placebo controls.
• Patients received daily oral doses of 20 mg LF for 5 days pre-surgery.
• Immune parameters including cell morphology, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6) production were measured pre- and post-surgery.

Main Results:

• LF treatment increased neutrophil precursor percentages and lymphocyte proliferative response post-surgery.
• LPS-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production were significantly higher in the LF group post-surgery.
• While total leukocyte counts increased similarly, LF modulated specific immune cell responses.

Conclusions:

• Oral lactoferrin administration enhances immune responsiveness in patients undergoing thyroid surgery.
• LF treatment may offer a protective effect against post-surgical immune dysregulation and complications.
• Further research into LF as an adjunct therapy for surgical patients is warranted.