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Gaweł P, Łukianowski B, Kościelska-Kasprzak K, Bartoszek D, Krajewska M, Królak-Olejnik B. Colostrum Lactoferrin Following Active and Recovered SARS-CoV-2 Infections during Pregnancy. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1120. [PMID: 38791082 PMCID: PMC11118264 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), which is particularly abundant in human breast milk during the early stages of lactation, provides protection against a variety of infections, including viral infections, and has demonstrated activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of this study was to measure the concentrations of Lf in the colostrum of mothers with active coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections during delivery, in mothers with a history of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and in non-infected controls. In this cross-sectional study, colostrum samples from 41 lactating mothers with a confirmed history of SARS-CoV-2 infection (asymptomatic or symptomatic) (both active and past infections) were collected. Twenty-eight colostrum samples collected during the pre-pandemic period served as a control group. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to analyze the Lf concentrations. Concentrations of Lf in the colostrum samples were closely related to virus infection. Colostrum samples from mothers with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections contained higher concentrations of lactoferrin compared with samples from mothers from the control group. The highest concentrations of Lf were found in the colostrum samples of mothers with active SARS-CoV-2 infection during delivery when compared with the post-infection and control samples. This observed increase in lactoferrin suggests that it may be an important protective factor for breastfed infants, a finding which was particularly relevant during the pandemic period and remains relevant whenever a breastfeeding mother is infected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Gaweł
- Department of Neonatology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Błażej Łukianowski
- Department of Pathomorphology and Clinical Cytology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Kościelska-Kasprzak
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (D.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Dorota Bartoszek
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (D.B.); (M.K.)
| | - Magdalena Krajewska
- Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland; (K.K.-K.); (D.B.); (M.K.)
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Rizzi M, Avellis V, Messina A, Germano C, Tavella E, Dodaro V, Vitale R, Revelli A, Zola P, Picone S, Paolillo PM, Mondì V, Masturzo B, Manzoni P, Sainaghi PP. Vitamin D Supplementation in Neonatal and Infant MIS-C Following COVID-19 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3712. [PMID: 38612523 PMCID: PMC11011671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
To date, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic still represents a great clinical challenge worldwide, and effective anti-COVID-19 drugs are limited. For this reason, nutritional supplements have been investigated as adjuvant therapeutic approaches in disease management. Among such supplements, vitamin D has gained great interest, due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions both in adult and pediatric populations. Even if there is conflicting evidence about its prevention and/or mitigation effectiveness in SARS-CoV-2 infection, several studies demonstrated a strict correlation between hypovitaminosis D and disease severity in acute COVID-19 and MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children). This narrative review offers a resume of the state of the art about vitamin D's role in immunity and its clinical use in the context of the current pandemic, specially focusing on pediatric manifestations and MIS-C. It seems biologically reasonable that interventions aimed at normalizing circulating vitamin D levels could be beneficial. To help clinicians in establishing the correct prophylaxis and/or supportive therapy with vitamin D, well-designed and adequately statistically powered clinical trials involving both adult and pediatric populations are needed. Moreover, this review will also discuss the few other nutraceuticals evaluated in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Rizzi
- Department of Health Sciences (DiSS), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- IRCAD (Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Avellis
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Alessandro Messina
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Chiara Germano
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Medicine, University Hospital “Degli Infermi”, 13875 Ponderano, Italy
| | - Elena Tavella
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Valentina Dodaro
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Raffaele Vitale
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Alberto Revelli
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Paolo Zola
- School of Medicine, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
| | - Simonetta Picone
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, Italy
| | - Pier Michele Paolillo
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, Italy
| | - Vito Mondì
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Policlinico Casilino, 00169 Rome, Italy
| | - Bianca Masturzo
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Medicine, University Hospital “Degli Infermi”, 13875 Ponderano, Italy
| | - Paolo Manzoni
- Sant’Anna Hospital, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy (B.M.)
- Department of Maternal, Neonatal and Infant Medicine, University Hospital “Degli Infermi”, 13875 Ponderano, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Sainaghi
- IRCAD (Interdisciplinary Research Center of Autoimmune Diseases), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
- Department of Translational Medicine (DiMeT), Università del Piemonte Orientale (UPO), 28100 Novara, Italy
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Mariani F, Rainaldi S, Dall’Ara G, De Rose C, Morello R, Buonsenso D. Persisting Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Children with SARS-CoV-2: Temporal Evolution over 18 Months and Possible Role of Lactoferrin. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:105. [PMID: 38255418 PMCID: PMC10814461 DOI: 10.3390/children11010105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Persisting gastrointestinal symptoms are reported to be relatively common in children with long COVID; however, their detailed characterization and long-term outcomes have not yet been described. METHODS We performed a retrospective study aiming to investigate the temporal evolution of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with SARS-CoV-2, from acute infection to 18-months follow-up. To further investigate possible therapeutic strategies, we evaluated the role of lactoferrin in improving gastrointestinal symptoms in these children, compared with those not treated. RESULTS A total of 1224 patients (47.7% females) were included. Of these participants, 246 (19.8%) were vaccinated and 143 (11.5%) presented with comorbidities. A total of 175 patients (14.1%) presented gastrointestinal symptoms during acute infection, 54 (4.4%) at three months, 23 (1.9%) at six months, 6 (3.3%) at twelve months, and 2 (2.3%) at eighteen months follow-up. At six months follow-up, children who were treated with 3 months oral lactoferrin had less persisting symptoms compared to those who did not receive lactoferrin, although this difference was not statistically significant (three patients (25%) in the lactoferrin group vs. fourteen patients (33.3%) not treated, p = 0.73), probably due to the low number of patients with persisting GI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS GI symptoms are relatively common during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in children, and a non-negligible proportion of these children reported persisting symptoms for up to 12-18 months after the acute infection. In addition, we found a trend even if statistically nonsignificant toward faster improvement of persisting gastrointestinal symptoms in children with long COVID treated with lactoferrin. Despite the limitations relating to the present study's design, given the significant burden of gastrointestinal symptoms in children with long COVID, our findings provide the basis to perform a prospective, placebo-controlled study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Mariani
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (C.D.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Saveena Rainaldi
- Medicine and Surgery International Faculty, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (G.D.)
| | - Giulia Dall’Ara
- Medicine and Surgery International Faculty, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (G.D.)
| | - Cristina De Rose
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (C.D.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Rosa Morello
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (C.D.R.); (R.M.)
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.M.); (C.D.R.); (R.M.)
- Centro di Salute Globale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Dyrda-Terniuk T, Pomastowski P. The Multifaceted Roles of Bovine Lactoferrin: Molecular Structure, Isolation Methods, Analytical Characteristics, and Biological Properties. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:20500-20531. [PMID: 38091520 PMCID: PMC10755757 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c06887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) is widely known as an iron-binding glycoprotein from the transferrin family. The bLF molecule exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activity, including iron delivery, antimicrobial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and prebiotic functions, thereby making it one of the most valuable representatives for biomedical applications. Remarkably, LF functionality might completely differ in dependence on the iron saturation state and glycosylation patterns. Recently, a violently growing demand for bLF production has been observed, mostly for infant formulas, dietary supplements, and functional food formulations. Unfortunately, one of the reasons that inhibit the development of the bLF market and widespread protein implementation is related to its negligible amount in both major sources─colostrum and mature milk. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of bLF research by delineating the key structural characteristics of the protein and elucidating their impact on its physicochemical and biological properties. Progress in the development of optimal isolation techniques for bLF is critically assessed, alongside the challenges that arise during its production. Furthermore, this paper presents a curated list of the most relevant instrumental techniques for the characterization of bLF. Lastly, it discusses the prospective applications and future directions for bLF-based formulations, highlighting their potential in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetiana Dyrda-Terniuk
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary
Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University
in Toruń, Wileńska 4, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Paweł Pomastowski
- Centre for Modern Interdisciplinary
Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University
in Toruń, Wileńska 4, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
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Berkowitz RL, Bluhm AP, Knox GW, McCurdy CR, Ostrov DA, Norris MH. Sigma Receptor Ligands Prevent COVID Mortality In Vivo: Implications for Future Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15718. [PMID: 37958703 PMCID: PMC10647780 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of lethal coronaviruses follows a periodic pattern which suggests a recurring cycle of outbreaks. It remains uncertain as to when the next lethal coronavirus will emerge, though its eventual emergence appears to be inevitable. New mutations in evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants have provided resistance to current antiviral drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines, reducing their therapeutic efficacy. This underscores the urgent need to investigate alternative therapeutic approaches. Sigma receptors have been unexpectedly linked to the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle due to the direct antiviral effect of their ligands. Coronavirus-induced cell stress facilitates the formation of an ER-derived complex conducive to its replication. Sigma receptor ligands are believed to prevent the formation of this complex. Repurposing FDA-approved drugs for COVID-19 offers a timely and cost-efficient strategy to find treatments with established safety profiles. Notably, diphenhydramine, a sigma receptor ligand, is thought to counteract the virus by inhibiting the creation of ER-derived replication vesicles. Furthermore, lactoferrin, a well-characterized immunomodulatory protein, has shown antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 both in laboratory settings and in living organisms. In the present study, we aimed to explore the impact of sigma receptor ligands on SARS-CoV-2-induced mortality in ACE2-transgenic mice. We assessed the effects of an investigational antiviral drug combination comprising a sigma receptor ligand and an immunomodulatory protein. Mice treated with sigma-2 receptor ligands or diphenhydramine and lactoferrin exhibited improved survival rates and rapid rebound in mass following the SARS-CoV-2 challenge compared to mock-treated animals. Clinical translation of these findings may support the discovery of new treatment and research strategies for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed L. Berkowitz
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (R.L.B.); (D.A.O.)
| | - Andrew P. Bluhm
- Spatial Epidemiology and Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
| | - Glenn W. Knox
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (R.L.B.); (D.A.O.)
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Translational Drug Development Core, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - David A. Ostrov
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (R.L.B.); (D.A.O.)
| | - Michael H. Norris
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Wang J, Yang N, Vogel HJ. Lactoferrin, a Great Wall of host-defence? Biometals 2023; 36:385-390. [PMID: 37171688 PMCID: PMC10127966 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-023-00502-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Wang
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China.
| | - Na Yang
- Innovative Team of Antimicrobial Peptides and Alternatives to Antibiotics, Gene Engineering Laboratory; Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Feed Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
| | - Hans J Vogel
- Biochemistry Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada.
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