Effect of lactoferrin on consequences of acute experimental hemorrhagic anemia in rats.

The effect of human lactoferrin on the arrest of experimental hemorrhagic anemia consequences was studied in rats. After six blood losses (days 1-4 and 7-8 of the experiment), the rats developed acute anemia: hemoglobin concentration decreased to 59% of the initial level, serum iron level decreased 3-fold. Intraperitoneal injections of lactoferrin (10 mg/day) for 4 days starting from day 7 led to an increase in hemoglobin level to 109% and of serum iron to 125% on day 14. In controls, hemoglobin level on day 14 was 70% and iron content 49% of the initial level. Ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin in blood serum decreased after 5 blood losses returned to normal only in rats receiving lactoferrin. The results indicate that lactoferrin modified ceruloplasmin activity in vivo, promoting normalization of iron metabolism.