Lactoferrin and Hepatitis B and C

Lactoferrin and Hepatitis B and C

1. Effect of lactoferrin in patients with chronic hepatitis C: combined therapy with interferon and ribavirin

J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2007 Nov;22(11):1894-7.

Kaito M1, Iwasa M, Fujita N, Kobayashi Y, Kojima Y, Ikoma J, Imoto I, Adachi Y, Hamano H, Yamauchi K.

Purpose of the study

Lactoferrin has been reported to inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in cultured human hepatocytes and HCV viremia in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined triple therapy of lactoferrin, interferon and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Research

Общо 111 японски пациенти с СНС разпределени на случаен принцип на група А с включен лактоферин в лечението (п = 50) и контролната група B(п = 61). Група А приема в продължение на 8 седмици лактоферин и след това лактоферин, интерферон и рибавирин за 24 седмици; контролната група Bсе третира с интерферон и рибавирин за 24 седмици. По време на проучването се изследват серум анти-лактоферин антитяло, както и други клинични и лабораторни данни.

Results

The HCVRNA titer significantly decreased at the end of lactoferrin monotherapy. Sustained virological response to treatment was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in group A with lactoferrin (55%) compared to control group B (18%).

Conclusion

The results show that the reduction of HCV RNAtiter by lactoferrin monotherapy contributes to the effectiveness of interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Lactoferrin is a potentially useful adjunctive treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C.

2. Lactoferrin inhibits lipid peroxidation in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Masayoshi Konishia, Motoh Iwasab, Corresponding author contact information, E-mail the corresponding author, Koji Yamauchic, Ryosuke Sugimotob, Naoki Fujitab, Yoshinao Kobayashib, Shozo Watanabea, Susumu Teraguchic, Yukihiko Adachib, Masahiko Kaitob.

Lactoferrin protein with an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation induced by oxidative stress. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lactoferrin monotherapy on lipid peroxidation, liver inflammation and iron metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis C. 90 patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomly assigned to two groups: lactoferrin group (n = 47 ), treated with lactoferrin at a dose of 3.6 g/day and a control group (n = 43), which remained untreated. Plasma 8-isoprostane levels and clinical laboratory data, including parameters and iron metabolism were measured. Plasma 8-isoprostatne levels were significantly reduced from 8.6 ± 3.7-6.9 ± 2.1 pg/ml in the BLF group (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of 8-isoprostane did not change significantly in the control group. The decrease in plasma levels of 8-isoprostane positively correlated with the improvement of ALT level in the lactoferrin-treated group. No significant change was found in serum HCV RNA levels or markers of iron metabolism after lactoferrin treatment. Lactoferrin treatment is associated with improvement in lipid peroxidation and ALT levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Administration of lactoferrin is a promising therapeutic approach to suppress oxidative stress in patients unresponsive to antiviral therapy.