Use of the 'nutriceutical', bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study.
BACKGROUND
Bovine colostrum is a rich source of nutrients, antibodies and growth factors.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the efficacy of colostrum enemas in the treatment of distal colitis using a randomized, double-blind, controlled protocol.


METHODS
Fourteen patients (eight female), with a mean age of 45 years (range, 16-75 years) and mild to moderately severe distal colitis (Powell-Tuck scoring system), received colostrum enema (100 mL of 10% solution) or placebo (albumin solution) b.d. for 4 weeks. Both groups also received mesalazine (1.6 g/day) or, if already taking it, had a dose increment of 1.6 g/day. Disease activity was documented at 0, 2 and 4 weeks.


RESULTS
After 4 weeks, the colostrum group showed a mean reduction in symptom score of - 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), - 5.4 to - 0.3), whereas the placebo group showed a mean response of + 0.5 (95% CI, - 2.4 to +3.4). The histological score improved in five of the eight patients in the colostrum group (mean response, - 0.9; 95% CI, - 1.69 to - 0.03), whereas the histological scores only improved in two of the six patients in the placebo group (mean response, 0.2; 95% CI, - 2.4 to +2.6).


CONCLUSIONS
Bovine colostrum enema shows potential as a novel therapy for left-sided colitis with additional benefits over using mesalazine alone. Further studies appear to be warranted.
Khan
Z
Z
Department of Gastroenterology. Leicester General Hospital. Liecester, UK.
Macdonald
C
C
Wicks
A C
AC
Holt
M P
MP
Floyd
D
D
Ghosh
S
S
Wright
N A
NA
Playford
R J
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002417:Cattle; D003092:Colitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003126:Colostrum; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004733:Enema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D019804:Mesalamine