Abstract:

In order to figure out whether bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) has immuno-regulation function, cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α in blood sera from mice orally administered with LfcinB were tested using ELISA kits. The results indicated that IL-2 and TNF-α levels in lactoferricin treatment mice at 3 h post-administration were both even higher (P ≤ 0.01) than those in negative control mice, whereas the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 (P ≤ 0.01) and IL-6 (P ≤0.05) revealed a significant decrease, and IL-10 level which is positively correlated with TNF-α level and plays a balancing role also changed notably. Therefore, oral administration of lactoferricin has the potential to provide the function of immune enhancement and regulation.

Key words: lactoferricin, cytokine, immuno-regulation function