Bovine lactoferrin can reduce Aβ /TAU accumulation in two major pathological Alzheimer's disease rat models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is an iron-binding protein with immunomodulatory effects both in the intestine and throughout the body. In this study, the potential therapeutic effects of bLf were evaluated using two different rat models that mimic key aspects of AD pathology.

Forty-two female Wistar albino rats (10-12 weeks old, weighing 200-250 g) were included in the study and randomly assigned to 7 groups of 6 rats each. The groups were: 1- Control, 2- Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), 3- bLf, 4- Colchicine (COL) (for the TAU model), 5- Okadaic acid (OKA) (for the Aβ model), 6- COL + bLf, 7- OKA + bLf. Cognitive deficits were tested using the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Motor coordination and anxiety levels were assessed using the OFT. Following these assessments, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), hippocampal tissue, serum, and whole blood samples were collected. Aβ, TAU, Ferritin, TAS, and TOS levels in these samples were measured using ELISA. For genetic modulation, the gene expression patterns of Fpn, Bax, Bcl-2, p38, FoxO, and GSK-3β were analyzed by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR).

bLf reduced oxidative stress. Decreases in Aβ and TAU levels were observed in the hippocampus and CSF. Ferritin levels were relatively lower in the hippocampus, CSF, and serum. Fpn and Bcl-2 were downregulated in the hippocampus of AD models but upregulated after bLf treatment. Expression levels of Bax, p38, FoxO, and GSK-3β were also downregulated following bLf administration.

These findings were consistent across both models. Overall, bLf holds promise as a therapeutic candidate capable of simultaneously targeting two key pathological features of AD.