Oral Lactoferrin to Prevent Nosocomial Sepsis and Necrotizing Enterocolitis of Premature Neonates and Effect on T-Regulatory Cells

Akin I. M., Atasay B., DOĞU E. F., OKULU E., ARSAN S., Karatas H. D., ...More

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY, vol.31, no.12, pp.1111-1119, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 31 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1055/s-0034-1371704
  • Journal Name: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.1111-1119
  • Keywords: lactoferrin, VLBW, sepsis, NEC, T-regulatory lymphocytes, BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS, HUMAN-MILK, INFECTIONS, SUPPLEMENTATION, TRIAL
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective Lactoferrin (LF) is effective in the prevention of sepsis in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. T-regulatory cells (Tregs) are important subsets of T lymphocytes that control pathogen-specific immune responses and are essential for intestinal immune homoeostasis. The aim of the present study is to determine whether oral LF at a dosage of 200 mg/d reduces nosocomial sepsis episodes and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants and to evaluate the possible effects of LF on Treg levels.