Abstract
Lactoferrin is an iron glycoprotein found in milk, tears, saliva, and other external secretions，and in the secondary granules of neutrophils. It has been reported that lactoferrin produces the following effects: wound healing, bone augmentation, and anti-inflammation. Consequently，we investigated the effects of bovine lactoferrin on the healing of tooth sockets. The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data for developing an agent which promotes healing of tooth sockets by observing sockets into which bovine lactoferrin was inserted.
Right lower first molars of 4-week-old Wistar male rats were extracted. Collagen sponge containing bovine lactoferrin or collagen sponge containing control-released bovine lactoferrin was inserted in the tooth sockets. One week after treatment, the rats were sacrificed and healing of the tooth sockets was evaluated using 3D images and histological images. Results of the examinations showed that control-release bovine lactoferrin significantly decreased the number of neutrophils under the gingival epithelium. Our findings suggest that controlled-release bovine lactoferrin might promote healing of the tooth sockets.
https://ror.org/03bwzch55 
