Lactoferrin inhibits hepatitis C virus viremia in patients with chronic hepatitis C: A pilot study

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We recently found that bovine lactoferrin. a mil k protein belonging to the iron transporter family, effectively prevented H CV infection in cultured human hepatocytes (PH5CH8), We tested the hypothes is that lactoferrin inhibits HCV viremia in patients with chronic hepatitis C, Eleven patients with chronic hepatitis C received an 8-week course of b ovine lactoferrin (1.8 or 3.6 g/day), At the end of lactoferrin treatment, a decrease in serum alanine transaminase and HCV RNA concentrations was app arent in 3 (75%) of 4 patients with low pretreatment serum concentrations o f HCV RNA. Ho However, 7 patients with high pretreatment concentrations sho wed no significant changes in these indices. This pilot study suggests that lactoferrin is one potential candidate as an anti-HCV reagent that mag be effective for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis.