Resumen

CASTRILLON RIVERA, Laura Estela; PALMA RAMOS, Alejandro  y  MACIN CABRERA, Susana. Innovative study on lactoferrin in periodontal disease. Rev. Odont. Mex [online]. 2011, vol.15, n.4, pp.231-238. ISSN 1870-199X.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a protein present in secretions and is a component of neutrophil specific granules released when these cells are activated by periodontal pathogenic agents during the course of inflammatory processes like gingivitis or periodontitis. LF levels are related to the number of neutrophils present in lesions so that this molecule has been proposed as a biochemical marker of periodontal activity. Due to LF biological activities such as cytotoxic ability and its interference in biofilm development, its use can be considered useful in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Palabras llave : Lactoferrina; periodontitis; gingivitis; periodontal pathogens.