An Aragonese study suggests that a milk protein could have intestinal benefits.

A team from the University of Zaragoza, which included researchers from several groups affiliated with the Agri-Food Institute of Aragon (IA2, UNIZAR-CITA joint center), has recently published a study that has revealed that lactoferrin could help reduce intestinal inflammation . The research, which was published this August in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry , shows that this protein present in cow's milk acts on the serotonin signaling system in the intestine, key to its balance and health . Because, although it is better known as a brain neurotransmitter, about 90% of the body's serotonin is produced in the intestine, where this neurotransmitter regulates digestive processes and also the inflammatory response . In fact, alterations in this system are associated with diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

“We have observed that lactoferrin not only exerts antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects, but also regulates fundamental components of the intestinal serotonergic system, even in a colitis model ,” explains Eva Latorre , study coordinator, member of IA2 and researcher at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Zaragoza.

In studies with intestinal cells and animal models, lactoferrin increased serotonin transporter activity and the expression of several receptors involved in motility, nutrient absorption, and immune response . In a model of induced colitis, oral administration of lactoferrin reduced symptoms such as weight loss, bleeding, and colon damage, in addition to preventing alterations in the serotonergic system associated with the inflammatory process. However, the researchers emphasize that human clinical trials are needed to confirm these effects .

A potential functional ingredient
This study is part of a broad line of research developed by the ALIPAT (Effect of technological food processing on digestive and allergic pathologies) research group, led by Mª Lourdes Sánchez Paniagua and Laura Grasa López, also affiliated with the IA2. During the course of this work, carried out within the framework of the project "Effect of technological treatments on the activity of proteins and milk fractions in intestinal functionality: potential for its application in functional foods" (AGL2017-82987-R), interesting results have been obtained on the bioactivity of lactoferrin from bovine milk in the intestine. And although lactoferrin is already used in supplements and infant formulas for its antimicrobial and immunoprotective properties, this new work suggests that it could also be incorporated into dietary strategies to improve intestinal health and support the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases .

Article reference: Buey B., Abad I., Bellés A., Castro M., Valero MS, Arruebo MP, Grasa L., Sánchez L., Plaza MA, Mesonero JE, Latorre E. Protective role of bovine lactoferrin in modulating the intestinal serotonergic system: implications in intestinal inflammation . Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry , 2025; 146:110073. DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2025.110073.

Photo caption, from left to right: Marta Castro, José Emilio Mesonero, Miguel Ángel Plaza, Mª Pilar Arruebo, Mª Lourdes Sanchéz, Laura Grasa, Berta Buey and Eva Latorre).