Fifty patients with dyspepsia and gastritis who were infected with Helicobacter pylori were randomly assigned to receive open treatment for one week with standard triple therapy (rabeprazole, clarithromycin, and tinidazole), either alone or in combination with lactoferrin (200 mg twice a day). H. pylori status was assessed eight weeks after the end of treatment by means of the urea breath test or H. pylori stool antigen test. The eradication rate was 100% (24/24) in the group receiving lactoferrin, compared with 76.9% (20/26) in the group not receiving lactoferrin (p = 0.023).
Comment: Lactoferrin is a protein present in human and cow's milk that has bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against various organisms. The antibiotic effect of lactoferrin has been attributed to its ability to bind iron, thereby preventing the utilization of iron by bacteria for growth. In addition, lactoferrin appears to cause adverse changes in bacterial membrane permeability. The results of the present study indicate that lactoferrin can be used to increase the eradication rate in patients receiving triple therapy for H. pylori infection.
Di Mario F, et al. Use of lactoferrin for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Preliminary results. J Clin Gastroenterol 2003;36:396-398.
COPYRIGHT 2004 The Townsend Letter Group
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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