Antihypertensive Effect of Lactoferrin on Dexamethasone-Induced Hypertension in Rat

Dexamethasone-induced hypertension is one of the animal models of hypertension. Lactoferrin is a natural iron-binding protein with proposed antihypertensive effects. In this study، the effect of chronic use of lactoferrin was investigated on dexamethasone-induced hypertension in rat and compared with captopril. In this experimental study، hypertension was induced by subcutaneously injection of dexamethasone (30 µg/kg/day) for 15 days in Wistar rat. Lactoferrin (300 mg/kg) and captopril (40 mg/kg) were orally given from the day 8 to 15. Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff. Body weight was measured during experiment and thymus weight was detected as a marker of glucocorticoid activity at the end of study. Administration of dexamethasone increased systolic blood pressure (115. 6 + 3. 3 to 150. 1 + 7. 4 mmHg) and decreased body and thymus weight (P < 0. 05). Chronic administration of lactoferrin and captopril for one week decreased systolic blood pressure (P < 0. 01 for both). Lactoferrin also prevented body weight loss. The results indicated antihypertensive effect of lactoferrin on dexamethasone-induced hypertension. Further studies are suggested for finding the mechanism of lactoferrin in this model of hypertension.