Organ fibrosis is gradually becoming a human health and safety problem, and various organs of the body are likely to develop fibrosis. The ultimate pathological feature of numerous chronic diseases is fibrosis, and few interventions are currently available to specifically target the pathogenesis of fibrosis. The medical detection of organ fibrosis has gradually matured. However, there is currently no effective treatment method for these diseases. Therefore, we need to strive for developing effective and reliable drugs or substances to treat and prevent fibrotic diseases. Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein with many pathological and physiologically active effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, and it protects against pathological and physiological conditions in various disease models. This review summarizes the effects and underlying mechanisms of LF in preventing organ fibrosis. As a naturally active substance, LF can be used as a promising and effective drug for the prevention and remission of fibrotic diseases.
Keywords: ECM; inflammation; lactoferrin; miRNA; microbiota; organ fibrosis; oxidative stress.