Meta-analysis: the effect of supplementation with lactoferrin on eradication rates and adverse events during Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.
BACKGROUND
Recent evidence shown that lactoferrin could exert an antimicrobial effect against Helicobacter pylori both in vitro and in vivo models. To systematically evaluate whether adding lactoferrin to H. pylori eradication regimens could improve eradication rates and reduce side-effects during anti-H. pylori treatment.


METHODS
Eligible articles were identified by searches of electronic databases. We included all randomized trials comparing lactoferrin supplementation to placebo or no treatment during anti-H. pylori regimens. Statistical analysis was performed with Review Manager 5.0.10. Subanalysis/Sensitivity analysis was also performed.


RESULTS
We identified nine randomized trials (n = 1343). Pooled H. pylori eradication rates were 86.57% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 83.99-89.15%) and 74.44% (95% CI = 71.14-77.74%) for patients with or without lactoferrin by intention-to-treat analysis, respectively, the odds ratio (OR) was 2.26 (95% CI = 1.70-3.00); the occurrence of total side-effects was 9.05% (95% CI = 6.83-11.27%) and 16.28% (95% CI = 13.43%-19.13%) for groups with or without lactoferrin, especially for nausea, the summary OR was 0.15 (95% CI = 0.04-0.54).


CONCLUSIONS
Our review suggests that supplementation with lactoferrin could be effective in increasing eradication rates of anti-H. pylori therapy, and could be considered helpful for patients with eradication failure. Furthermore, lactoferrin shows a positive impact on H. pylori therapy-related side-effects.
Zou
Jian
J
Department of Gastroenterology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. apollozou@hotmail.com
Dong
Jie
J
Yu
Xiao Feng
XF
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007781:Lactoferrin