Human Lactoferrin in the Milk of Transgenic Mice Increases Intestinal Growth in Ten-Day-Old Suckling Neonates

摘要: Regulatory roles and a signaling receptor have been proposed for the milk protein lactoferrin (Lf), but none has definitively characterized. Nichols colleagues (1987) observed that human (hLf) stimulated thymidine incorporation into DNA of rat intestinal crypt cells. We tested hypothesis chronic Lf administration stimulates growth by studying neonatal mice suckling transgenic dams secreting about 12 mg/mL hLf in their Specifically, nontransgenic litters were adjusted to eight pups each cross-fostered dams. Controls same strain. On day 10 postpartum weighed, sacrificed, small intestines measured, stored later determination enzyme activities. The results indicate was increased neonates weight intestine 27% when received containing hLf. Intestinal length only 6.5% suggesting enhanced mucosal growth. ratio maltase lactase duodenal segment intestine, an indicator maturation, also significantly milks. Our imply oral consumption promotes maturation mucosa, suggest possible therapeutic role agent premature infants as well patients with bowel damage.