Progress on the protection of lactoferrin to intestinal mucosa barrier

Lactoferrin, a multifunctional glycoprotein found in milk and other external secretions, can regulate intestinal microecology, and promote the maturation of the intestinal immune system as well as the growth and differentiation of intestinal cells.The intestinal mucosa barrier includes normal intestinal flora, intestinal epithelium layer and intestinal immune system.Its function is mainly to prevent the intestinal bacteria and endotoxin from translocating.Recently, many studies have found that damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier is related to the occurrence of necrotizing enterocolitis.This article reviews the relationship between the intestinal mucosal barrier and necrotizing enterocolitis, and the progress of lactoferrin in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis by regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier. Key words: Lactoferrin; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Intestinal barrier