The pain-relieving effects of lactoferrin on oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain

Oxaliplatin (OXL) therapy often causes side effects including chronic peripheral neuropathy. We investigated the pain-relieving effects of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLf) as well as a long-acting IgG-Fc fused rhLf (rhLf-Fc) on OXL-induced neuropathic pain. We used the hLf in this study, because the homology between mouse Lf and hLf is higher than that of bovine Lf. In addition, rhLf-Fc is expected to enhance the analgesic effect due to the life extension effect in the body. We administered OXL (2 mg/kg, i.v.) to mice twice weekly for 4 weeks. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS), rhLf (100 mg/kg, i.p.) or rhLf-Fc (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered once a week from day 15 to 32. We also assessed the continuous infusion of same drugs (10 mg/kg/day) into the external jugular vein by using an osmotic pump. Both of rhLf and rhLf-Fc significantly reduced the hypersensitivity to mechanical stimulation when they were administered intraperitoneally. The continuous infusion of rhLf resulted in a more pronounced effect. Histopathological analysis of sciatic nerve showed that both rhLf and rhLf-Fc tended to reduce nerve fiber damage, but no significant difference was observed in nerve fiber cross-sectional area. Therefore, it was suggested that rhLf or rhLf-Fc injection could be an option for controlling neuropathic pain, which are side effects of OXL.