A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Oral Lactoferrin Fortified Bovine Colostrum with Oral Iron in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Copyright © 2018 Phcog.Net. This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Cite this article : Taruni R, Sivaraman M, Dutta T, Dhanasekar KR. A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Oral Lactoferrin Fortified Bovine Colostrum with Oral Iron in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia. Int J Med Public Health. 2018;8(2):65-70. INTRODUCTION


INTRODUCTION
Iron deficiency (ID) affects more than 2 billion people globally, with greater prevalence in women and children.OFS is most commonly prescribed drug for treating ID; however, it has been associated with 25-40% incidence of adverse drug reactions.Moreover, it has a variable bioavailability, thus stressing a need for better oral formulations.Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein structurally resembling transferrin plays a role in iron absorption.Iron is an essential element that the body needs for normal tissue oxygenation.Iron deficiency represents the most common nutritional deficiency.While more than 2 billion people worldwide are known to be iron-deficient. 1In India, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is nearly 74.3%.Women and children are the most commonly affected. 2Iron absorption and metabolism is a complex, tightly regulated mechanism in humans.Humans ingest nearly 12-18 mg/day of dietary iron; of this, only 1-2 mg is absorbed.Adult men and non-menstruating women require 13 mg/kg/day of iron while menstruating women require 21 mg/kg/day.In the last two trimesters of pregnancy, iron requirement may go up to 80 mg/ kg/day. 3Non-heme iron is obtained from plant-based foods including cereals, legumes, pulses, fruits and vegetables.Non-heme iron requires acid digestion and is dependent on dietary enhancers and inhibitors.On the contrary, heme iron is minimally affected by dietary factors. 4Iron absorption occurs in the duodenum and upper jejunum.Two transport proteins, divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT-1) and heme carrier protein (HCP1) have been implicated in the transport of iron to the cytosol of the enterocyte.Iron in the enterocyte is either stored as ferritin or exported to the blood and is carried to tissues by transferrin.An iron transporter, ferroportin, assists the export of iron from the enterocytes. 5Ferric iron in the plasma is scavenged by transferrin (Tf) and is transported to tissues that either utilize or store the iron. 6The absorption of iron accounts for a mere fraction of the iron in the body with over 90% arising from the recycling of senescent red blood cells (RBCs).When there is a deficiency of iron, the body increases its iron absorption by 3 to 5 folds.In contrast, when there is an iron overloaded state, the body adopts the 'mucosal block phenomena' where iron bound to apo-ferritin in an enterocyte is shed off from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) along with the gastric epithelial cells.When there is excess of iron, ferroportin fails to transport absorbed iron out of the enterocytes. 7On the other hand, increased IL-6 is also known to directly cause the down-regulation of ferroportin mRNA expression, thus resulting in decreased iron absorption. 8Iron, being a constituent of various proteins and enzymes, is crucial to an array of biological processes ranging from tissue oxygenation, energy metabolism to bactericidal actions of the immune system.ID occurs when the absorption of iron is insufficient to meet the demands of the body.Mild-to-moderate forms of iron deficits manifest as functional tissue impairment even in the absence of anemia.The condition, in pregnant women, is linked with increased morbidities and mortality during the antenatal period and poor outcomes. 9Children with iron deficiency anemia manifest psychomotor developmental delays. 1 It thus becomes increasingly essential to correct the deficiency in an individual.An individual is labeled anemic when the haemoglobin falls under 2 standard deviation (SD) of the mean hemoglobin of a population of same age, sex and altitude.The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined anemia as a hemoglobin value <11 g/dL (at sea level). 10The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has categorized the severity of IDA on the basis of hemoglobin levels as mild, moderate and severe. 11he treatment modalities available at present, including OFS and parenteral iron, are associated with many ADRs resulting in poor patient compliance and poor response to therapy. 10 Lactoferrin on the other hand is an iron binding glycoprotein which does not produce any ADRs.Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein found in colostrums that belongs to transferrin family.It is involved in absorption of iron from dietary sources. 13It thus appears that supplementing lactoferrin should increase iron absorption.5][16] The highest concentration of lactoferrin is found in colostrum (7 g/dL) followed by milk (1 g/dL) where it is believed to be a major source of iron for infants. 17Lactoferrin is purified and isolated from human or cow's milk; however, recombinant lactoferrin is also available.Human milk contains more lactoferrin but iron extraction from bovine lactoferrin has been noted to be higher. 13actoferrin is known to play significant roles in iron absorption, immunity, inflammation, tumor growth, myelin genesis and enzymatic activities.
OLFBC is a nutritional supplement available in India that has high lactoferrin content.It has no unpleasant side effects and can therefore improve patient compliance and result in better therapeutic outcomes.A study was thus conducted to ascertain the efficacy of OLFBC in treating IDA in Indian women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Female patients within 18-21 years of age with clinically proven IDA satisfying the inclusion criteria were screened and recruited.This was followed by randomization and grouping and baseline investigations.A 30-day treatment regimen and analysis of post-therapy investigations was done, which evaluated the efficacy of the treatment given.The Institute Ethical Committee clearance was obtained before the study initiation.Results from a previous study conducted on Italian pregnant women was used to calculate sample size.A two-sided t-test helped detect superiority of OLFBC over OFS.A minimum sample size of 12 per group was required to have a 90% chance (alpha error of 0.05) of detecting an increase in Hb level to 11.5 g/dL (SD of 0.6 g/dL) in the OFS group and 12.7 g/dL (SD of 0.9 g/dL) in the experimental group. 14On adjustment for non-compliance in the OFS arm to 40%, a sample size of 68 was arrived at.Written informed consent was obtained from those fulfilling the inclusion criteria and willing to participate in the study.A detailed history and clinical examination was performed on the participants.Venous blood was drawn for baseline assessment of iron parameters and other routine tests.The participants were randomized into 3 arms, using a computerized randomization chart.Numbered containers were used as a method of allocation concealment.The study drug was sealed in sequentially numbered identical containers according to the allocation sequence and being distributed as per the protocol into their respective groups.The control arm received OFS 333 mg (100 mg elemental iron) once-daily empty stomach.The study arm received OLFBC 2 g oncedaily empty stomach and the third arm received both OFS and OLFBC (Table 1).Both supplements were administered orally for a period of 30 days.OLFBC was given as a powder and had to be reconstituted in 200 mL of potable water before consumption.Patients with IDA and Hb levels between 8 and 11 mg/dL were included in the study.Known cases of anemia due to secondary causes such as infections, neoplasms, genetic diseases, hypochlorhydria or renal disease, presence of inflammation or infection detectable by a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were excluded.Patients taking any medication that could interfere with iron absorption such as antacids/proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), patients on iron supplements or having a history of recent supplementation (over past 3 months) and patients having menorrhagia or a known source of bleeding (varices, ulcers, etc.) were also excluded from the study.A clinical assessment was performed after obtaining a detailed history.Eight milliliter (8ml) of venous blood was collected from the subject under strict aseptic precautions for routine investigations including complete blood count (total count (TC), differential count (DC), ESR, Hb), peripheral smear, serum urea, serum creatinine, serum bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/serum pyruvic transaminase (SGOT/ SGPT).Subjects' iron status was assessed by monitoring serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum transferrin saturation and unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC).Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17 software.Continuous variables were described as means along with their SDs, while discrete variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages.Within each group, the mean change in hemoglobin and iron parameters from baseline to post-therapy was assessed using student's paired t-test.A one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) helped assess the significance of change in parameters between the three groups.A nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyze serum ferritin.

RESULTS
Two hundred and forty two patients were screened for the clinical presence of conjunctival pallor to establish the diagnosis of IDA on the basis of signs and symptoms.Eighty four of which were shortlisted and complete blood count (CBC) and peripheral smear were carried out on them to further substantiate the diagnosis of IDA.Sixteen of these subjects did not fulfill the inclusion criteria and were excluded from the study.The 68 students recruited into the study were randomly allocated to three groups (Table 1).All the participants of the study belonged to the female gender with mean age of 19.15 ± 0.685 years (range 18-21 years).There was no significant variation in age within group or between the three groups.The baseline and post-treatment values of TC, DC, ESR, SGOT, SGPT, serum urea, serum creatinine and serum bilirubin were normal in all the subjects.Participants in Group I exhibited a mean increase in Hb of 0.028 g/dL, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.717) (Table 2).Participants in Group II showed a significant increase in their Hb levels post-therapy with a mean increase in Hb of 0.9288 g/dL (p < 0.001) (Table 3).Participants in Group III also showed a demonstrated an increase in ferritin levels post-therapy, which was also statistically insignificant (p = 0.819, z = 0.229).Participants of Group III demonstrated an increase in ferritin levels post-therapy which was again insignificant (p = 0.717, z = 0.362), (Figure 2).Participants in Group I had a mean increase in SIC of 1.544 μg/dL, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.752).Participants in Group II showed a significant increase in their SIC post-therapy with a mean increase of 18.4952 μg/dL (p = 0.012).Participants in Group III also showed a significant increase in their SIC values post-therapy with a mean increase of 17.3575 μg/dL (p = 0.011), (Figure 3).There was no significant difference in the rise in SIC levels between the three groups (p = 0.095, 0.198, 0.991).Participants in Group I exhibited a mean decrease in TIBC of 16.8732 μg/dL that was statistically insignificant (p = 0.287).Participants in Group II showed a significant decrease in TIBC values post-therapy with a mean reduction of 118.176 μg/dL (p < 0.001).
Participants in Group III also showed a significant decrease in their TIBC values post-therapy with a mean decrease of 89.16313 μg/dL (p = 0.01), (Figure 4).Post-therapy TIBC values of Group II and III were significantly different from that of Group I (p < 0.01, p = 0.01, respectively).There was no significant difference in the post-therapy TIBC values between Group II and III (p = 0.904).On conducting a difference in difference analysis, the fall in TIBC values of Group II was significantly more than that in Group I (p = 0.001).There was no significant difference in change in TIBC values observed between Group I and III (p = 0.057) or between Group II and III (p = 0.616).Participants in Group I had a mean decrease in UIBC of 18.4172 μg/dL, which was statistically insignificant (p = 0.307).Participants in Group II showed a significant decrease in UIBC values post-therapy with a mean decrease in UIBC of 136.6712 μg/dL (p < 0.001).Participants in Group III also exhibited a significant decrease in UIBC values post-therapy with a mean decrease of 106.521 μg/dL (p=0.004).Post-therapy, the UIBC values of Group II and III were significantly different from that of Group I (p< 0.01, p = 0.01, respectively).However, there was no significant difference in the post-therapy UIBC values between Group II and III (p = 0.844).A difference in difference analysis revealed that the fall in UIBC values of Group II and III was significantly more than that observed in Group I (p=0.001,0.039, respectively).There was no significant difference in change in UIBC values observed between Group II and III (p = 0.668).Participants in Group I showed an insignificant mean increase TSAT of 0.79140% (p = 0.477).Participants in Group II showed a significant increase in TSAT values post-therapy with a mean increase of 8.15946% (p=0.001).Participants in Group III also showed a significant increase in their TSAT values post-therapy with a mean increase in TSAT of 7.69367% (p = 0.001).Post-therapy TSAT values of Group II    significant increase in their hemoglobin levels post-therapy with a mean increase of 1.0625 g/dL (p = 0.001) (Table 4, Figure 1), There was no significant difference in baseline values between the three groups.However, a significant difference in the rise in Hb values in Group II and III (p<0.001 and 0.001, respectively) was evident in comparison to Group I (p = 0.717).There was no significant difference in the rise in Hb between Group II and Group III (p = 0.877).A Wilcoxon signed-rank test demonstrated a decrease in ferritin stores in Group I that was not statistically significant (p = 0.420, z = 0.807).Participants of Group II III (p < 0.05), thus highlighting that OLFBC increased SIC thereby improving Hb levels.The insignificant change in ferritin levels in all the three groups may be due to the fact that at least a 3-month course of therapy is required for restoring iron stores in the body. 21Ferritin levels have been noted to rise as early as 2 weeks in an ICMR study conducted by Kriplani et al, where the route of administration was intravenous which has a higher bioavailability than the oral route. 11Another study conducted by Natsue Koikawa et al amongst Japanese runners, comparing efficacy of lactoferrin and OFS reported a decrease in ferritin stores in both the arms after 8 weeks of therapy. 22Since there is an inversely proportionally relationship between serum iron concentration (SIC) and TIBC/UIBC hence only a marginal fall was noted amongst these parameters in the OFS arm of our study. 23In Group II and Group III of our study a significant rise in transferrin saturation (p<0.05) with an increase in SIC was noted.This significant improvement is contrary to that observed in Maccio et al, (2010) study where cancer patients with anemia of chronic disease were administered lactoferrin along with erythropoietin. 24Hence, the beneficial effect of lactoferrin, seen in cases of nutritional ID, does not extrapolate to anemia of chronic disease.Since there was no statistically significant difference in the iron parameters and Hb levels in post therapy compared to baseline, it can be quoted that there are no hematological benefits of combining OFS with OLFBC.The subjects administered with OLFBC reported fewer adverse effects (4%, 13%) than those on OFS (36%).Toliken et al, (2015) reported similar adverse effects with OFS. 25 In conclusion our study demonstrates significant improvement in iron parameters and Hb levels in patients in OLFBC group as compared to OFS group.Subjects receiving OLFBC reported fewer adverse effects and adhered to their treatment regimen more faithfully compared to those on the OFS regimen.No significant improvement in iron and hematological parameters was noted on addition of OFS to OLFBC, though the combination demonstrated lower incidence of ADRs.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that OLFBC is more efficacious in treating IDA as compared to OFS with additional clinical benefits of fewer ADRs and better patient compliance.were significantly different from that of Group I (p=0.017).There was no significant difference in the post-therapy TSAT values between Group II and III or between Group I and III (p = 0.951, 0.078, respectively).When a difference in difference analysis was conducted, the rise in TSAT values of Group II and III were significantly more than that observed in Group I (p = 0.008, 0.03, respectively).There was no significant difference in change in TSAT values observed between Group II and III (p = 0.983).Twelve participants reported adverse effects to their medication.Most of the adverse effects were reported on questioning the participants at the end of the study period.The only exception was a single case of gastritis who was treated with H2-blocker during the study period.Figure 5 demonstrates the group-wise split up.Gastritis, constipation, nausea, vomiting and loose stools were the side effects noted in the participants during the study duration.Sixty-six of the 68 recruited participants completed the study.The two drop outs belonged to Group III.One was diagnosed with infective hepatitis and was not available for follow-up.The other drop out resorted to intravenous iron instead of taking her oral medications and voluntarily dropped out of the study.The compliance in Group I was found to be 44%.The compliance in Group II and III was 94% each.

DISCUSSION
OFS is the most extensively prescribed drug for treating IDA but unfortunately it is associated with poor compliance, gastrointestinal ADRs and variable bioavailability.This calls for a better oral formulation in the treatment of IDA.Lactoferrin plays an important role in iron absorption.Studies conducted in Italian pregnant women and Japanese athletes have demonstrated the beneficial effects of bovine lactoferrin in treating IDA.A randomized, active controlled, open-labeled, 3armed parallel study was thus designed to compare the efficacy of OLFBC (as single agent and in combination with OFS) with OFS in the management of IDA.The prevalence of anemia in our study cohort was found to be 35%.This is comparable to previous studies conducted in India, that have shown nearly 40% of asymptomatic patients in their study to have biochemical evidence of IDA. 18,19Our study exhibited significant improvement in Hb levels and most of the iron parameters in participants of Group II (OLFBC) and Group III (combination therapy arm) compared to Group I (OFS arm).The significant increase in Hb and SIC values post-therapy in both Group II and III (p<0.05) is in accordance with study by Paesano et al, 2006 conducted among pregnant women in Italy which reported a mean increase in Hb of 1.5 g/dL and a mean increase in SIC of 54.2 μg/Dl. 15In the present study, a mean rise in Hb of 0.9288 g/dL and a mean rise in SIC of 18.4952 μg/dL was noted in Group II.Group III exhibited a mean rise in Hb of 1.0625 g/dL and mean rise in SIC of 17.3575 μg/dL.The mean rise in Hb and SIC in our study is lower than the Paesano et al, 2006 study, which may be explained by the higher dose of lactoferrin employed in the later study.Although the rise in Hb and SIC values are lower in this study, the rise observed in Group II and III are both clinically and statistically significant (p<0.05).No improvement in Hb levels and other iron parameters were noted in OFS arm.This is in accordance with a study conducted in Italian pregnant women in 2010 who were prescribed 156 mg of elemental iron for 30 days.This study documented a parallel fall in serum Interleukin-6 levels leading to hepcidin-mediated down regulation of ferroportin resulting in decreased enteral iron absorption. 14The rise in Hb level (0.028 g/dL) in Group I of our study is much less than a previous study (1.05 g/dL) conducted among pregnant women in India in the Guntur district by Chandrakala Kambar et al. 20 This could be attributed to better compliance and longer duration of therapy amongst the pregnant women.The marginal rise in Hb (0.028 g/dL, p = 0.717) and SIC (1.544 μg/dL, p = 0.752) in Group I was significantly lower compared to Group II and

Figure 1 :
Figure 1: Mean Hb pre and post intervention amongst the three groups.

Figure 3 :
Figure 3: Serum Iron pre and post intervention amongst the three groups.

Figure 4 :
Figure 4: Serum TIBC pre and post intervention amongst the three groups.

Figure 5 :
Figure 5: ADRs noted amongst the three groups.Figure 2: Serum ferritin pre and post intervention amongst the three groups.

Figure 2 :
Figure 5: ADRs noted amongst the three groups.Figure 2: Serum ferritin pre and post intervention amongst the three groups.

Table 4 : Group III (Combination Therapy Arm) Paired t-Test.
International Journal of Medicine and Public Health, Vol 8, Issue 2, Apr-Jun, 2018