Study of lactoferrin to extension of healthy life expectancy in ovariectomized model mice

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11633
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Yokohama College of Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Izumo Nobuo 横浜薬科大学, 薬学部, 教授 (70368976)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ラクトフェリン / 卵巣摘出 / セロトニン / 更年期障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This present study was demonstrated the evaluation of lactoferrin (LF) using laboratory animals and cultured cells. In the former, spontaneous locomotor activity in the ovariectomized group was significantly decreased compared to the sham group at night, and LF administration for 8 weeks increased spontaneous locomotor activity. In addition, serotonin release from the frontal lobe was significantly altered, indicating that LF improves decreased spontaneous locomotor activity. In the latter case, using cultured neurons, significant neurite outgrowth was observed with the addition of LF. The expression levels of total ERK and phosphorylated ERK were maximal at 5 min after the addition of LF and persisted until 10 min, indicating that they were suppressed by various inhibitors.

Free Research Field

薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

抗炎症作用を有するLFに目をつけ、既に確立しているモデルマウスに対する作用を検討する点で高い効果を得た。さらにLFは母乳に多く含まれる安全なタンパク質であり、臨床使用における安全性も高く、医療費の膨らんでいる我が国において、健康寿命を増加する可能性が大いにあり、非常に意義のある研究と考えられた。
本研究では、ホルモンのバランスが骨代謝だけではなく中枢神経系に影響し、研究成果は更年期障害やステロイド長期投与患者への補助だけではなく精神的抑制を寛解し、患者にとっても、医療費削減を考えても本研究の意義があった。