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Gori A, Brindisi G, Daglia M, del Giudice MM, Dinardo G, Di Minno A, Drago L, Indolfi C, Naso M, Trincianti C, Tondina E, Brunese FP, Ullah H, Varricchio A, Ciprandi G, Zicari AM. Exploring the Role of Lactoferrin in Managing Allergic Airway Diseases among Children: Unrevealing a Potential Breakthrough. Nutrients 2024; 16:1906. [PMID: 38931261 PMCID: PMC11206375 DOI: 10.3390/nu16121906] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased among children in recent decades. These conditions significantly impact the quality of life of allergic children and their families. Lactoferrin, a multifunctional glycoprotein found in various biological fluids, is emerging as a promising immunomodulatory agent that can potentially alleviate allergic diseases in children. Lactoferrin's multifaceted properties make it a compelling candidate for managing these conditions. Firstly, lactoferrin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which can mitigate the chronic inflammation characteristic of allergic diseases. Secondly, its iron-binding capabilities may help regulate the iron balance in allergic children, potentially influencing the severity of their symptoms. Lactoferrin also demonstrates antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial in preventing secondary infections often associated with respiratory allergies. Furthermore, its ability to modulate the immune response and regulate inflammatory pathways suggests its potential as an immune-balancing agent. This review of the current literature emphasises the need for further research to elucidate the precise roles of lactoferrin in allergic diseases. Harnessing the immunomodulatory potential of lactoferrin could provide a novel add-on approach to managing allergic diseases in children, offering hope for improved outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for paediatric patients and their families. As lactoferrin continues to capture the attention of researchers, its properties and diverse applications make it an intriguing subject of study with a rich history and a promising future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Gori
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.B.)
| | - Giulia Brindisi
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.B.)
| | - Maria Daglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.D.); (A.D.M.); (H.U.)
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Michele Miraglia del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.M.d.G.); (G.D.); (C.I.)
| | - Giulio Dinardo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.M.d.G.); (G.D.); (C.I.)
| | - Alessandro Di Minno
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.D.); (A.D.M.); (H.U.)
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate, Via Gaetano Salvatore 486, 80145 Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Drago
- Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology & Microbiome, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy;
- UOC Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, MultiLab Department, IRCCS Multimedica, 20138 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristiana Indolfi
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy; (M.M.d.G.); (G.D.); (C.I.)
| | - Matteo Naso
- Allergy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.N.); (C.T.)
| | - Chiara Trincianti
- Allergy Center, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (M.N.); (C.T.)
| | - Enrico Tondina
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | | | - Hammad Ullah
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy; (M.D.); (A.D.M.); (H.U.)
| | - Attilio Varricchio
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Ciprandi
- Allergy Clinic, Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, 16145 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Anna Maria Zicari
- Department of Mother-Child, Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.G.); (G.B.)
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Ioannidis I, Lefkaritis G, Georgiades SN, Pashalidis I, Kontoghiorghes GJ. Towards Clinical Development of Scandium Radioisotope Complexes for Use in Nuclear Medicine: Encouraging Prospects with the Chelator 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic Acid (DOTA) and Its Analogues. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5954. [PMID: 38892142 PMCID: PMC11173192 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115954] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Scandium (Sc) isotopes have recently attracted significant attention in the search for new radionuclides with potential uses in personalized medicine, especially in the treatment of specific cancer patient categories. In particular, Sc-43 and Sc-44, as positron emitters with a satisfactory half-life (3.9 and 4.0 h, respectively), are ideal for cancer diagnosis via Positron Emission Tomography (PET). On the other hand, Sc-47, as an emitter of beta particles and low gamma radiation, may be used as a therapeutic radionuclide, which also allows Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. As these scandium isotopes follow the same biological pathway and chemical reactivity, they appear to fit perfectly into the "theranostic pair" concept. A step-by-step description, initiating from the moment of scandium isotope production and leading up to their preclinical and clinical trial applications, is presented. Recent developments related to the nuclear reactions selected and employed to produce the radionuclides Sc-43, Sc-44, and Sc-47, the chemical processing of these isotopes and the main target recovery methods are also included. Furthermore, the radiolabeling of the leading chelator, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA), and its structural analogues with scandium is also discussed and the advantages and disadvantages of scandium complexation are evaluated. Finally, a review of the preclinical studies and clinical trials involving scandium, as well as future challenges for its clinical uses and applications, are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Ioannidis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus; (I.I.); (G.L.); (S.N.G.); (I.P.)
| | - George Lefkaritis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus; (I.I.); (G.L.); (S.N.G.); (I.P.)
| | - Savvas N. Georgiades
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus; (I.I.); (G.L.); (S.N.G.); (I.P.)
| | - Ioannis Pashalidis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus; (I.I.); (G.L.); (S.N.G.); (I.P.)
| | - George J. Kontoghiorghes
- Postgraduate Research Institute of Science, Technology, Environment and Medicine, 3021 Limassol, Cyprus
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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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