Human recombinant lactoferrin is ineffective in the treatment of human Helicobacter pylori infection.
BACKGROUND
Lactoferrin, a multifunctional glycoprotein, is known to have anti-microbial actions. Bovine lactoferrin and recombinant human lactoferrin have been shown to inhibit Helicobacter pylori, and more recently recombinant human lactoferrin was found to significantly increase the eradication rate of H. pylori when added to standard triple therapy.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of recombinant human lactoferrin as a therapy in suppressing or eliminating H. pylori infection in subjects with minimal upper gastrointestinal symptoms who have not previously been treated.


METHODS
Nine healthy subjects with minimal upper gastrointestinal symptoms and a positive urea breath test were recruited. None of the volunteers had previously been treated for H. pylori. Subjects received 5 x 1.0 g human recombinant lactoferrin daily for 5 or 14 days. Breath tests were repeated during therapy and shortly after to check for eradication. The safety and tolerability of the drug were assessed by physical examination, by monitoring adverse events, and clinical laboratory evaluation.


RESULTS
No conversion of the urea breath test from positive to negative was observed and there was no consistent change in urea breath test count to indicate a possible suppression of H. pylori.


CONCLUSIONS
Lactoferrin, given as a single agent, does not eradicate H. pylori infection.
Guttner
Y
Y
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia.
Windsor
H M
HM
Viiala
C H
CH
Marshall
B J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014508:Urea / Q000032:analysis
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014508:Urea; D007781:Lactoferrin