Both in blood plasma and in secretory fluids lactoferrin can exist in different polymeric forms ranging from monomers to tetramers. Lactoferrin tends to polymerize both in vitro and in vivo, especially at high concentrations. [25] Several authors found that the dominant form of lactoferrin in physiological conditions is a tetramer, with the monomer:tetramer ratio of 1:4 at the protein concentrations of 10 −5 M. [27] [28] [29] Xanthou M (1998). "Immune protection of human milk". Biology of the Neonate. 74 (2): 121–33. doi: 10.1159/000014018. PMID 9691154. S2CID 46828227.

Lactoferrin's primary role is to sequester free iron, and in doing so remove essential substrate required for bacterial growth. [40] Antibacterial action of lactoferrin is also explained by the presence of specific receptors on the cell surface of microorganisms. Lactoferrin binds to lipopolysaccharide of bacterial walls, and the oxidized iron part of the lactoferrin oxidizes bacteria via formation of peroxides. This affects the membrane permeability and results in the cell breakdown ( lysis). [40] but, the protein preferably binds to double-stranded DNA rather than single-stranded DNA. The ability of lactoferrin to bind DNA is used for its isolation and purification using affinity chromatography with columns containing immobilized DNA-containing sorbents, such as agarose with the immobilized single-stranded DNA. [38] Clinical significance [ edit ] Lactoferrin (larger protein) and a siderophore of E. coli (smaller protein) are shown. Lactoferrin is a protein found in the immune system, and is a common defense against bacterial infections. Lactoferrin restricts access to host iron by binding to iron with a higher affinity than bacterial proteins. [39] Antibacterial activity [ edit ] Rogan MP, Taggart CC, Greene CM, Murphy PG, O'Neill SJ, McElvaney NG (October 2004). "Loss of microbicidal activity and increased formation of biofilm due to decreased lactoferrin activity in patients with cystic fibrosis". The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 190 (7): 1245–53. doi: 10.1086/423821. PMID 15346334. Muscedere J, Maslove DM, Boyd JG, et al. Prevention of nosocomial infections in critically ill patients with lactoferrin: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Crit Care Med. 2018 Sep;46(9):1450-1456. View abstract. Nakano M, Yoshida A, Wakabayashi H, et al. Effect of tablets containing lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase on gingival health in adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Periodontal Res. 2019 Dec;54(6):702-708. View abstract.

Håkansson A, Zhivotovsky B, Orrenius S, Sabharwal H, Svanborg C (August 1995). "Apoptosis induced by a human milk protein". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 92 (17): 8064–8. Bibcode: 1995PNAS...92.8064H. doi: 10.1073/pnas.92.17.8064. PMC 41287. PMID 7644538. Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

Hablass FH, Lashen SA, Alsayed EA. Efficacy of Lactoferrin with Standard Triple Therapy or Sequential Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Turk J Gastroenterol 2021;32(9):742-749. View abstract. SK organized the general content of the paper. EB and FE were responsible for general editing and organizing the authors as well as the contribution for two sections. MK, HD, and AA contributed one section of the paper. SS and AŞ were responsible for editing and organizing the paper. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version. Funding Baker HM, Anderson BF, Kidd RD, Shewry SC, Baker EN (2000). "Lactoferrin three-dimensional structure: a framework for interpreting function". In Shimazaki K (ed.). Lactoferrin: structure, function, and applications: proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Lactoferrin: Structure, Function, and Applications, held in Sapporo, Japan, 18-22 May 1999. Amsterdam: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-444-50317-6. a b Giansanti F, Rossi P, Massucci MT, Botti D, Antonini G, Valenti P, Seganti L (2002). "Antiviral activity of ovotransferrin discloses an evolutionary strategy for the defensive activities of lactoferrin". Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 80 (1): 125–130. doi: 10.1139/o01-208. PMID 11908636. Iwasa M, Kaito M, Ikoma J, et al. Lactoferrin inhibits hepatitis C virus viremia in chronic hepatitis C patients with high viral loads and HCV genotype 1b. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:766-7.

Publisher's note

As a result, new alternatives or supportive approaches for diagnosis and treatment are always consider in high demand. Several distinct methods were applied to find alternative approaches to control the COVID-19 pandemic throughout its course. For instance, the spreading of COVID-19 was simulated with mathematical modeling for creating a decent foresight about the duration of the pandemic ( 31). Thus, it is of the utmost importance to consult some other potential methods and integrate them for assisting our current case in the pandemic. Lactoferrin—a multifunctional glycoprotein When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if lactoferrin is safe. It might cause skin irritation.

Di Mario F, Aragona G, Bo ND, et al. Use of lactoferrin for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Preliminary results. J Clin Gastroenterol 2003;36:396-8. View abstract. Manfredi M, Bizzarri B, Sacchero RI, et al. Helicobacter pylori infection in clinical practice: probiotics and a combination of probiotics + lactoferrin improve compliance, but not eradication, in sequential therapy. Helicobacter. 2012;17(4):254-63. View abstract. Arnold D, Di Biase AM, Marchetti M, Pietrantoni A, Valenti P, Seganti L, Superti F (February 2002). "Antiadenovirus activity of milk proteins: lactoferrin prevents viral infection". Antiviral Research. 53 (2): 153–158. doi: 10.1016/S0166-3542(01)00197-8. hdl: 11573/250295. PMID 11750941. Public summary of positive opinion for orphan designation of hypothiocyanite/lactoferrin for the treatment of cystic fibrosis" (PDF). Pre-authorisation Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use. European Medicines Agency. 2009-09-07. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-30 . Retrieved 2010-01-23.

HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article

Kuipers ME, de Vries HG, Eikelboom MC, Meijer DK, Swart PJ (November 1999). "Synergistic fungistatic effects of lactoferrin in combination with antifungal drugs against clinical Candida isolates". Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 43 (11): 2635–41. doi: 10.1128/AAC.43.11.2635. PMC 89536. PMID 10543740. Non a caso le donne Parsi nell'India Occidentale, avendo un livello di RNasi nel latte molto inferiore rispetto ad altri gruppi, mostrano tasso di cancro al seno tre volte superiore alla media ( Human milk samples from different ethnic groups contain RNase that inhibits, and plasma membrane that stimulates, reverse transcription). Lactoferrin is one of the components of the immune system of the body; it has antimicrobial activity ( bacteriocide, fungicide) and is part of the innate defense, mainly at mucoses. [5] It is constantly produced and released into saliva, tears, as well as seminal and vaginal fluid. [6] Lactoferrin provides antibacterial activity to human infants. [7] [8] Lactoferrin interacts with DNA and RNA, polysaccharides and heparin, and shows some of its biological functions in complexes with these ligands. Pammi M, Suresh G. Enteral lactoferrin supplementation for prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;6:CD007137. View abstract.