薬理と治療

Abstract

Background/Objectives　Lactoferrin is a multifunctional glycoprotein present in mammalian milk. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 250 mg lactoferrin on abdominal visceral fat in healthy subjects without metabolic syndrome.Methods　In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, healthy Japanese volunteers with a body mass index（BMI）of ≥23 and ＜30 were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups. For 12 weeks, the subjects in each group took either enteric-coated tablets of lactoferrin coated with alginic acid or placebo. The effects of lactoferrin were evaluated by measuring abdominal visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, total fat, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference as outcomes. This study was registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000031545. Results　According to the analysis of subjects who had high visceral fat levels, the amount of changes in abdominal visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, total fat, body weight, and BMI observed during a 12-week intake period was significantly decreased in the lactoferrin group compared with that in the placebo group. No adverse events related to lactoferrin intake were observed in either group. Conclusions　We found that 250 mg lactoferrin decreased abdominal visceral fat in healthy adults, with no adverse effects. Thus, lactoferrin might lead to a reduction in the risk of MetS.