Overview
Binds to receptors on immune cells (LRP, TLR4) and inhibits bacterial adhesion to gut epithelium.
Proposed mechanism
Lactoferrin binds free iron (starving pathogens), disrupts bacterial membranes, and modulates cytokine production via TLR4 and CD14.
What the evidence supports
Human data exists but the trials are small, short-term, or not yet replicated.
Graded Human-limited
Human data that exists but is thin: open-label work, single-arm studies, small cohorts, or observational follow-up without randomisation.
Key citations
Representative primary sources, including results that did not favour the compound.
- [1]
Lactoferrin immune modulation
· DOI:10.1016/j.bcp.2011.05.010 · 2011
- [2]
Lactoferrin gut health
· DOI:10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7478 · 2014
- [3]
Lactoferrin immune modulation (2011)
· · 0
- [4]
Lactoferrin gut health (2014)
· · 0
Citation records in this build are illustrative placeholders for the design.
Reference information for research purposes. Not medical advice, and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many entries describe substances that are not approved for human use.