Lactoferrin and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Abstract

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein and a member of the transferrin family. LF and lysozyme in breast milk kill bacteria. In the stomach, pepsin digests and releases a potent peptide antibiotic called lactoferricin from native LF. The antimicrobial characteristics of LF may facilitate a healthy intestinal microbiome. LF is the major whey in human milk; its highest concentration is in colostrum. This fact highlights early feeding of colostrum and also fresh mature milk as a way to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis.

• Authors: Michael P Sherman
• Journal: Clinics in perinatology (Clin Perinatol) Vol. 40 Issue 1 Pg. 79-91 (Mar 2013) ISSN: 1557-9840 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23415265 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Muramidase
• Lactoferrin

Topics

• Animals
• Colostrum (immunology, metabolism)
• Enterocolitis, Necrotizing (prevention & control, therapy)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Intestine, Small (immunology, microbiology)
• Lactoferrin (immunology, metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Metagenome (immunology)
• Milk (metabolism)
• Milk, Human (chemistry, immunology, metabolism)
• Muramidase (immunology)