Ameliorative Role of Lactoferrin on Osteoporosis Caused by Glucocorticoids

Lactoferrin is derived from its past classification as a major iron-binding protein in milk,Which was in bovine milk. Osteoporosis is a major disease affecting human bone. Which is caused by endocrinological disorders and drugs Glucocorticoids – induced osteoporosis is the most common form of secondary osteoporosis.The current study was aimed to study the curative role of natural substances (lactoferrin) on the osteoporosis caused by glucocorticoids (prednisone) and comparing its curative effect with sodium alendronate the common therapy for osteoporosis. Our experiment included 8 groups in each group 10 adult’s albino rats 4 groups male or the other groups are female. First group (normal females) and fifth group (normal males) were given saline for two months. Second group (control females) and sixth group (control males) were given prednisone orally (25mg/kg b. w.) day after day for two months. Third group (treated females) and seventh group(treated males)were given(25mg/ kg b.w.) day after day for two months and then lactoferrin (0.85 mg/kg body weight) daily for two months. Fourth group (treated females) and eighth group(treated males) were given (25mg/ kg b.w.) day after day for two months and then sodium alendronate (300 μg/kg b.w.) once weekly for two months. After treatment, blood samples were collected for estimating calcium, phosphorous, PTH and testosterone levels in serum. Right femur bones were removed for determining the density, calcium and phosphorous content. The results indicated that lactoferrin and prednisone were increased serum calcium and PTH levels P < (0.05), in males and females animals and decreased serum phosphorous for the two sexes, but for testosterone there was a non-significant decrease for female animals and a significant decrease for male animals. Administration of lactoferrin was ameliorated the disturbances of bone. The result suggests that lactoferrin may improve prednisone -induced osteoporosis.