Bo Lönnerdal - Böcker

Almost every aspect of energy and nutrient metabolism is altered by hormonal and other physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation. While it is evident that hormonal adjustments affect nutrient requirements, these are rarely considered when nutrient recommen­ dations are made for pregnant or lactating women, and often neglected during evaluation of nutritional status. In addition, changes in nutrient metabolism during the stages of pregnancy and oflactation are usually considered separately, while in reality events during pregnancy can have a major influence on nutritional status and nutrient requirements during lactation. The purpose of this volume is to describe changes in the metabolism of important nutrients during pregnancy and lactation, including the physiological basis for these changes and their implications for nutrient requirements and assessment. Authors have considered such issues as inter-relationships between endocrine changes and nutrient metabolism at the tissue, cellular and molecular level; alterations in nutrient binding proteins; the efficiency of nutrient absorp­ tion and retention; and the impact on maternal as well as fetal nutritional status. Another unique aspect of this book is the focus on pregnancy and lactation as a continuum.

Experimental and clinical investigators join forces to explain our current understanding of lactoferrin. Drawing on many disciplines, the front-line authorities writing here define the known structural features of lactoferrin and describe in detail several of its physiological functions. These include the role of lactoferrin in killing bacteria, and its involvement in cell growth and proliferation, in the modulation of immune function, and in iron absorption. Particular attention is given to lactoferrin functions in the regulation of normal and diseased states. New knowledge of the molecular biology of lactoferrin is also included, along with discussions of commercially viable large-scale production techniques and important new industrial applications. This comprehensive, multidisciplinary work should open the door to the greatly expanded use of lactoferrin as a bioactive reagent in foods and pharmaceuticals. Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary view of our present knowledge of lactoferrin. The book should open the way to the expanded use of lactoferrin as a bioactive reagent in foods and pharmaceuticals.

The number of investigators focusing their attention on lactoferrin has increased dramatically in recent years. Lactoferrin is a protein with more than one known structure and a number of proposed biological functions, including several with important regulatory consequences. In many ways it has been an easy pro­ tein to investigate; however, there have been difficulties under­ standing specific structure / function relationships, particularly as it functions in vivo. Research funding dedicated to this protein has previously been limited, but is now increasing. As lactoferrin begins to emerge formally as a protein of significance to the medi­ and industry, it is more important than ever to coor­ cal profession dinate and integrate research efforts whenever possible and to share the results of these efforts within the expanding array of medical and scientific diSciplines involved. It was our intention to provide a forum to summarize and disseminate the most recent advances in this field. Included in Lactoferrin: Interactions and Biological Functions are selected presentations representing the many disciplines involved in defining lactoferrin function in terms of its known structural features, including its carbohydrate side-chains, receptor binding sites, its capacity to bind different metal ions, and other newly discovered bioactive domains. Several of the possible physiologi­ cal functions of lactoferrin are described and summarized in detail, including the role of laetoferrin in bacterial killing, its in­ volvement in cell growth and proliferation, in the modulation of immune function, and in iron absorption.

Lactoferrin is an intriguing protein with an interesting structure and several known or suggested biological activities. We feel that attention on this protein has been too limited and diffuse, partly because it has been "hidden" among other well-known iron-binding proteins such as hemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin, but also perhaps because its biological functions are so diverse. Investigators that focus on lactoferrin represent a wide variety of medical and scientific disciplines that do not usually come together. It was our intention to improve that situation with this symposium. In this book, experts from a variety of disciplines describe the present knowledge of the structural features of lactoferrin, its carbohydrate side chains and its capacity to bind different metal ions and anions. Several of the possible physiological functions of lactoferrin are described in detail, including the role of lactoferrin in bacterial killing, its involvement in growth and proliferation, in immune function and in iron absorption. Aspects of the molecular biology of lactoferrin and its specific interactions with different cell types are also included. Finally, as lactoferrin now has become commercially available in larger quantities, possible industrial applications are discussed. The book should give the interested reader a thorough insight into our present knowledge of lactoferrin.