Lactoferrin Supplementation in Preventing and Protecting from SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Is There Any Role in General and Special Populations? An Updated Review of Literature

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Oct 16

PMID 39408576

Authors

Paolo Manzoni

Alessandro Messina

Chiara Germano

Simonetta Picone

Bianca Masturzo

Pier Paolo Sainaghi

Daniele Sola

Manuela Rizzi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

At the beginning of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection represented a great medical burden worldwide, as targeted and effective therapeutic options were lacking. This resulted in the revival of existing molecules and the increasing popularity of over-the-counter nutritional supplements. Among the latter, lactoferrin has been investigated as an adjuvant in COVID-19 therapy with conflicting results, mainly depending on different study designs. Considering that lactoferrin is one of the main components of human breast milk with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity, it is conceivable that such bioactive molecule could be effective in supporting anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection therapy, especially in infants and pregnant women, two subpopulations that have been poorly evaluated in the existing clinical trials. This narrative review is intended to offer insight into the existing literature on lactoferrin's biological functions and protective effects against COVID-19, with a special focus on pregnant women and their infants.

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