Determination of the effects of lactoferrin in a preclinical mouse model of experimental colitis.

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of lactoferrin (Lf) on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)‑induced experimental colitis in BALB/c mice. Eighty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups; the normal, model, apo‑Lf and holo‑Lf groups. Fecal character, fecal occult blood, hematochezia and disease activity index (DAI) were recorded daily. The length of the colon was measured and histological scores were evaluated 28 days post‑treatment. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was also determined and the expression of interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF‑α) were measured by quantitative (q)PCR. Lf relieved the inflammatory condition of DSS‑induced experimental colitis in mice. The DAI and histological scores of Lf‑treated mice were lower compared with those of mice in the control group. The length of the colon of Lf‑treated mice was longer compared with that of mice in the control group. Treatment with Lf decreased MPO activity and the expression levels of IL‑1β and TNF‑α. In addition, Lf was found to promote beneficial effects in a mouse model of experimental colitis. Treatment with apo‑Lf was superior to that of holo‑Lf in the mouse model of DSS‑induced experimental colitis. Supplemental therapy with apo‑Lf may provide an important new tool in the clinical management of ulcerative colitis.