Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Immune modulation by lactoferrin and curcumin in children with recurrent respiratory infections

G V Zuccotti1, D Trabattoni, M Morelli

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.

Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents
|July 11, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Lactoferrin and curcumin (LC) oral supplements reduced infections in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections. This immune modulation involved changes in T lymphocytes and toll-like receptor expression, suggesting clinical benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are common in children.
  • Lactoferrin and curcumin are natural compounds with potential immunomodulatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical and immunologic effects of oral lactoferrin and curcumin (LC) supplementation in healthy children experiencing RRTIs.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving healthy children with RRTIs who received oral LC supplementation.
  • Clinical assessment of infection frequency.
  • Immunologic analyses including T lymphocyte maturation markers and toll-like receptor (TLR) expression on CD14+ cells.
  • Measurement of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) production by CD14+ cells.

Main Results:

  • LC supplementation led to a reduction in the frequency of infections.
  • Significant skewing of CD8+ T lymphocyte maturation was observed.
  • Increased CD14+ cells expressing TLR2 and decreased CD14+ cells expressing TLR4 were noted.
  • Reduced IL-10 production by CD14+ cells in children receiving LC.

Conclusions:

  • Oral LC supplementation demonstrates clinical benefits by reducing infections in children.
  • LC modulates the immune system, affecting T lymphocyte maturation and TLR expression.
  • The observed immune modulation suggests LC as a potentially beneficial intervention for RRTIs.

Related Concept Videos

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...