Effects of rhLactoferrin on Chronic Inflammation in the Elderly

Phase 2

Completed

Conditions: Cognitive Deterioration
Inflammation

Interventions: Other: Placebo
Drug: rhLactoferrin

Registration Number: NCT02968992

Lead Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate how recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) which is a partially iron saturated form of lactoferrin produced and purified from rice grain may improve mobility and memory in older adults with chronic inflammation. Lactoferrin, is a known multifunctional protein, and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. A recombinant human version of this protein was recently developed and produced from rice. This is now available from the Ventria Bioscience Company in a controlled, pharmaceutical grade capsule. As part of this double blinded and randomized study, participants will take daily dosages of recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) or its matched placebo; to measure the effects of rhlactoferrin on chronic inflammation and its association with improving mobility and memory over a 6 month time period. During the study all participants will be asked to provide blood samples and will have physical and cognitive tests administered to them. By measuring biomarkers in the blood as well as changes in physical and cognitive measures, the investigators will gain an understanding of how rhlactoferrin may safely improve measures of chronic inflammation in older adults. As well as a better understanding of whether it has the potential to meaningfully influence important measures of physical and cognitive function known to be influenced by Chronic Inflammation (CI).

Detailed Description: The primary objective of this study is to examine in a double blinded and randomized trial the efficacy of Recombinant Human lactoferrin (rhLF) in reducing chronic inflammation as measured by IL-6 and sTNFR1 in the bloodstream. The primary end point is to gather information about the tolerability of and adherence to oral rhlactoferrin (rhLF) among older adults with CI over a six-month period. The exploratory objective is to assess the efficacy of rhlactoferrin (rhLF) in attenuating cognitive decline as measured by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test and Trail Making Test, as well as improving physical mobility as measured by performance on 4 meter and six-minute walk tests. Further physical and functional measurement data will be gather using an Acti-graph link Activity monitor, the raw data collected will be used to : (i) characterize cumulative daily activity, (ii) assess daily circadian patterns of activity, (iii) assess physical activity variability, (iv) model patterns of daily activity, and (iv) estimate walking speed. This additional data will complement mobility measures by describing function enacted in daily life

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 36

Inclusion Criteria

Age 70 and older
able to complete 4- meter timed walk; walking speed <1.0 m/sec
serum IL-6 level ≥ 2.5 pg/ml or TNFR1 level ≥1500 pg/ml

Exclusion Criteria

Daily anti-inflammatory drug use (prednisone, Advil, Aleve, Remicade, Enbrel, methotrexate, standing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), aspirin greater than 325 mg per day)
lower extremity mobility disability caused by Parkinson's disease,
cerebral vascular accident (CVA) with residual motor deficit,
severe osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
symptomatic claudication
hospitalization within 3 months for myocardial infarction (MI), angina, infection requiring antibiotics, or joint replacement.
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) < 21.
Lactose intolerant
allergy or intolerance to bovine products
being a vegan (since vegans will want to avoid Bovine products.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Placebo	Placebo	Matching placebo capsule will be provided by Ventria Biosciences and six capsules twice a day will be provided to the subjects in this arm.
rhLactoferrin	rhLactoferrin	rH lactoferrin will be provided by Ventria Biosciences. Each capsule will contain 250 mg of rH lactoferrin as active ingredient. Subjects will receive 1500 mg of lactoferrin in capsule form twice a day. Dosing will be six 250 mg capsules twice a day for six months.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Effect of Rhlactoferrin on Serum Levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6)	Baseline and 6 months	The effect of rhlactoferrin on serum levels (picogram/milliliter) of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) will be assessed as a measure of the percentage change of IL-6 serum levels from baseline
The Effect of Rhlactoferrin on Serum Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Receptor 1 (TNFR1)	From baseline to 6 months	The effect of rhlactoferrin on serum levels (picogram/milliliter) of tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 1 (TNFR1) assessed as a measure of the percentage change of serum TNFR1 levels from baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Physical Mobility as Measured by 4 Meter Walk Test	At 6 months	A standard measurement of 4 meters is marked on a flat, long floor surface. The test taker is asked to walk the length at their usual pace while the test giver is recording the time with a stop watch. This test is repeated twice, and the average of the two recorded times is used as the data point.
Tolerability of Oral rhLactoferrin as Assessed by Patient Diary of Total Number of Side Effects	From baseline through 6 months.	Study coordinators administered side effect questionnaire at each visit and via phone every two weeks during the treatment period.
Attenuating Cognitive Decline as Measured by the Digital Symbol Substitution Test	At 6 months	The test taker is given a key consisting of numbers 1-9 that are paired with a unique symbol. The test taker is allowed 90 seconds to assign the correct symbol to the number on the list. The test administrator then scores the number of correct answers over the 90 second test time, and assigns a total score based on one point for each correct answer and therefore a higher score is a better outcome.
Physical Strength as Measured by Grip Strength	At 6 months	Hand grip strength is measured by the amount of static force that the hand can squeeze around a dynamometer. An administrator recorded the reading on the device. The force was measured in kilograms.
Attenuating Cognitive Decline as Measured by the Trail Making Test A and B.	At 6 months	For test A, the test taker is given a sheet of paper that has the numbers 1-25 within individual circles randomly distributed on the page. The test taker is asked to connect the numbers sequentially over a period of 4 minutes (240 seconds). The score is recorded as the time it takes to complete the task in seconds. For test B, the test taker is given a piece of paper that has numbers 1-13 and letters A-L. Each letter or number is inside of a circle. The test taker must then draw a line from one circled number to the next circled letter (ie. 1 to A to 2 to B to 3 to C etc.) over a period of 6 minutes (360 seconds). The time it takes to complete this task is recorded in seconds.
Physical Mobility as Measured by 6 Minute Walk Test	At 6 months	A measured course is set up in an open area on a hard flat surface. The test taker walks on this measured course for 6 minutes, and the test administrators calculates the distance traveled over 6 minutes. The test taker is allowed to rest as is needed.