乳铁蛋白在口腔疾病防治中的作用机制及研究进展

Mechanism of Action and Research Progress of Lactoferrin in the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Diseases

摘要: 乳铁蛋白(Lactoferrin, LF)是一种具有抗菌、抗炎、免疫调节及促骨再生等多重活性的铁结合蛋白，分布于唾液等多种体液中，其安全性已获国际权威认可。近年研究表明，乳铁蛋白在口腔疾病防治中具有重要应用潜力。本文系统综述其在龋病、牙周炎、骨修复、口腔肿瘤及口腔异味防治中的作用机制与研究进展。现有研究发现，乳铁蛋白在龋病防治中通过螯合铁离子、破坏细胞膜及抑制细菌黏附等多重机制发挥抗菌作用；在牙周炎中，其不仅可通过调控NF-κB等通路减轻组织损伤，还可作为生物标志物反映病情；在骨修复方面，乳铁蛋白能促进成骨、抑制破骨，加速骨再生；同时，其通过调控肿瘤微环境及增强免疫监视抑制口腔肿瘤的进展，并能降低挥发性硫化物浓度以改善口腔异味。尽管现有临床研究仍较缺乏，但乳铁蛋白凭借其多靶点调控优势与生物安全性，有望成为口腔疾病综合防治的新方向，为功能性口腔材料的研发提供理论依据。

Abstract: Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding protein with multiple biological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and pro-osteogenic effects. It is present in various body fluids, such as saliva and has been internationally recognized for its safety. Recent studies have highlighted the significant potential of lactoferrin in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms and research progress of lactoferrin in the management of dental caries, periodontitis, bone repair, oral tumors, and halitosis. Current findings indicate that lactoferrin exerts antibacterial effects in caries prevention through multiple mechanisms, including iron ion chelation, cell membrane disruption, and inhibition of bacterial adhesion. In periodontitis, it not only alleviates tissue damage by regulating pathways, such as NF-κB but also serves as a biomarker reflecting disease status. In bone repair, lactoferrin promotes osteogenesis, inhibits osteoclast activity, and accelerates bone regeneration. Additionally, it suppresses the progression of oral tumors by modulating the tumor microenvironment and enhancing immune surveillance, while also reducing volatile sulfur compound concentrations to ameliorate halitosis. Although clinical studies remain limited, lactoferrin, with its multi-target regulatory advantages and biological safety, holds promise as a novel approach for the comprehensive management of oral diseases, providing a theoretical basis for the development of functional oral materials.