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Use of the ‘nutriceutical’, bovine colostrum, for the treatment of distal colitis: results from an initial study
Author(s) -
Khan Z.,
Macdonald C.,
Wicks A. C.,
Holt M. P.,
Floyd D.,
Ghosh S.,
Wright N. A.,
Playford R. J.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
alimentary pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.308
H-Index - 177
eISSN - 1365-2036
pISSN - 0269-2813
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01354.x
Subject(s) - medicine , colostrum , mesalazine , placebo , gastroenterology , enema , confidence interval , colitis , randomized controlled trial , inflammatory bowel disease , antibody , immunology , disease , pathology , alternative medicine
Summary Background : Bovine colostrum is a rich source of nutrients, antibodies and growth factors. Aim : To examine the efficacy of colostrum enemas in the treatment of distal colitis using a randomized, double‐blind, controlled protocol. Methods : Fourteen patients (eight female), with a mean age of 45 years (range, 16–75 years) and mild to moderately severe distal colitis (Powell‐Tuck scoring system), received colostrum enema (100 mL of 10% solution) or placebo (albumin solution) b.d. for 4 weeks. Both groups also received mesalazine (1.6 g/day) or, if already taking it, had a dose increment of 1.6 g/day. Disease activity was documented at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. Results : After 4 weeks, the colostrum group showed a mean reduction in symptom score of − 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI), − 5.4 to − 0.3), whereas the placebo group showed a mean response of + 0.5 (95% CI, − 2.4 to +3.4). The histological score improved in five of the eight patients in the colostrum group (mean response, − 0.9; 95% CI, − 1.69 to − 0.03), whereas the histological scores only improved in two of the six patients in the placebo group (mean response, 0.2; 95% CI, − 2.4 to +2.6). Conclusions : Bovine colostrum enema shows potential as a novel therapy for left‐sided colitis with additional benefits over using mesalazine alone. Further studies appear to be warranted.