The Prospect of Lactoferrin Use as Adjunctive Agent in Management of SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Preventive, adjunctive and curative properties of lactoferrin have been evaluated since the first wave of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), a viral respiratory disease, emerged 18 years ago. Despite the discovery of new vaccine candidates, there is currently no widely approved treatment for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Strict adherence to infection prevention and control procedures, as well as vaccines, can, however, prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of lactoferrin treatment in improving clinical symptoms and laboratory indices among individuals with mild to moderate coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Materials and Method: A randomized, prospective, interventional pilot study conducted between 8 July and 18 September 2020 used a hospital-based sample of 54 laboratory-confirmed participants with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Randomization into a control and two treatment groups ensured all groups received the approved Egyptian COVID-19 management protocol; only treatment group participants received lactoferrin at different doses for seven days. Clinical symptoms and laboratory indices were assessed on Days 0, 2 and 7 after starting treatments. Mean values with standard deviation and one-way analysis of variance with least significant difference of demographic and laboratory data between control and treatment groups were calculated. Results: Our study showed no statistically significant difference among studied groups regarding recovery of symptoms or laboratory improvement. Conclusions: Further research into therapeutic properties particularly related to dosage, duration and follow-up after treatment with lactoferrin in individuals with COVID-19 is required.

Lactoferrin Can Attenuate SARS-CoV-2: An Analysis of Evidential Relations

“…To summarize, Lf should be viewed as a major element in mammalian innate immunity and as a polyvalent regulator that achieves its goal by associating with a variety of factors engaged in infectious or inflammatory activities 82 . There is little question that LF supplementation is an interesting area for further investigation however, the findings of this study do not allow for a firm judgment regarding its potential advantages as a support treatment 160 .…”

Antiviral properties of whey proteins and their activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection

“…However, another study showed that the differences regarding reduction in symptoms and laboratory indices between patients receiving approved Egyptian COVID-19 management protocol and patients receiving the same treatment plus lactoferrin were not statistically significant. Further studies with larger samples as well as longer-term trials to understand the role of Lf in treating SARS-CoV-2 are required ( Algahtani et al, 2021 ).…”

The Influence of Viral Infections on Iron Homeostasis and the Potential for Lactoferrin as a Therapeutic in the Age of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

“…For example, the reported symptoms of fever, dry cough, diarrhea, headache, loss of sense of taste or smell, and fatigue were improved with Lf treatment. Increased serum hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, and platelet count levels were detected at the highest dose of Lf (200 mg, twice daily), while the levels of C-reactive protein declined [ 69 ]. Finally, in a retrospective study on asymptomatic, paucisymptomatic, and moderately symptomatic COVID-19 patients in home-based isolation, Rosa et al compared Lf-treated ( n = 82) to Lf-untreated ( n = 39) patients using bLf unloaded in liposomes.…”