Lactoferrin promotes bile acid metabolism and reduces hepatic cholesterol deposition by inhibiting the farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-mediated enterohepatic axis.

LF ameliorated hepatic cholesterol deposition in mice fed with a high-fat and high cholesterol diet containing cholate. LF elevated the conjugated BA level, inhibited the ileum FXR and FXR-mediated enterohepatic axis, and increased BA synthesis and excretion.