Lactoferrin lowers serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels in mice subjected to surgery.

Mice subjected to thymectomy or splenectomy in general anesthesia release interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) into circulation reaching high concentrations after 4 h following operation. In the case of thymectomy IL-6 can be detected only on the day of operation and TNF-alpha attains a maximal value on day 3 postoperation. Splenectomy, which is a more extensive surgical operation, results in a higher, and more prolonged existence of IL-6 in circulation accompanied by higher levels of TNF-alpha. Bovine lactoferrin (BLF; 10 mg/mouse), given intravenously (i.v.) 24 h before thymectomy, reduced, on average, the level of serum IL-6 by 70% as measured 4 h after operation. The inhibiting effect of BLF on TNF-alpha production was smaller with a mean 30% reduction. The effects of BLF (i.v.) administration on the cytokine levels following splenectomy were less inhibitory. BLF caused an approximate 35% fall in IL-6 levels and even weaker effects (20% inhibition) on TNF-alpha release. Application of much lower (1-0.2 mg) per os doses of BLF was even more effective in lowering IL-6 levels after thymectomy (up to 90%) after 5 BLF doses, and by 55% of TNF-alpha. The data suggest that lactoferrin may find therapeutical application for diminishing manifestations of shock caused by clinical insults.