Innovative study on lactoferrin in periodontal disease

Abstract

Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein present in secretions and is a component of neutrophil specific granules released   when these cells are activated by  periodontal pathogenic agents during the course of inflammatory processes like gingivitis or periodontitis. LF levels are related to the number of neutrophils present in lesions so that this molecule has been proposed as a biochemical marker of periodontal activity. Due to LF biological activities  such as cytotoxic ability  and its interference in biofilm development, its use can be considered useful  in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.