Role of Probiotics and Colchicine in COVID-19 Management?

Role of Probiotics and Colchicine in COVID-19 Management?

Samar Osama Ahmed Hassan (1), Ahmed Nour El-Din Hassan (2), Manal Sabry Mohamed (3), Mina Michael Nesim (3), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (3), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,4)

 

(1) Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

(2) Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

(3) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

(4) Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Cairo, Egypt

 

Universal Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2023;1(1):14–16.

 

DOI: 10.31586/ujgh.2023.772

 

Abstract

 

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging human disease caused by a novel coronavirus, causing a global pandemic crisis. Probiotics and/or colchicine may be considered as options for treatment since they have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of the current review was to assess the effectiveness of probiotic supplements and colchicine on symptoms, duration, and progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19 infection. Review: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in the United States with 182 participants who were randomly assigned to receive daily oral probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) LGG or placebo for 28 days. The study indicated that LGG is well-tolerated and is associated with a delay in the onset of COVID-19 infection, a reduction in the incidence of symptoms, and alterations in the structure of the gut microbiome when administered as post-exposure prophylaxis within seven days of exposure. Colchicine may lessen mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. Conclusion: Probiotics and/or colchicine may be viable treatment options for COVID-19 patients. To examine the efficacy of probiotics and colchicine in the treatment of COVID-19, it is necessary to conduct additional clinical trials and provide clinicians with evidence, as there are currently insufficient studies to support this conclusion.

 

Keywords: Probiotics, Colchicine, COVID-19, Management, Clinical trials, Review.

 

Universal Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2023;1(1):14–16.

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ujgh/article/view/772

Effectiveness of Probiotics for Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Effectiveness of Probiotics for Treatment of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Hadeer Abdel-Aleem Hassan Mohamed Tawfik (1), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (2), Rasha Samir (2,3), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (2), Mina Michael Nesim (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1*)

 

(1) Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

(2) Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt

(3) Departemnt of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Egypt

 

Universal Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2023;1(1):17–25.

 

DOI: 10.31586/ujgh.2023.735

 

Abstract

 

Background: Recently specific interactions and crosslinks between the gut microbiota and the lungs have been recognized, particularly with regard to respiratory immune and anti-microbial reactions. This is often known as the “gut-lung axis” or “a common mucosal immunological system”. Objective: The aim of the current systematic review was to evaluate evidence, from published clinical trials and cohort studies, if probiotics may have an effect in improving and managing COVID-19 symptoms. Materials and methods: The available studies were searched through a comprehensive search of electronic databases that included PubMed, Science Direct, Scirus, ISI Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), using a combination of the following keywords: “COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2 AND Microbiota OR Probiotics” OR “Gut Lung Axis”. The literature was reviewed until August 31, 2022. Results: Only 3 studies were included. One of them evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in COVID-19 patients to obtain complete remission of all signs and symptoms. The clinical trial proves that probiotics have a significant effect on complete remission of all signs and symptoms of COVID-19 patients with statistical significant difference. Only one clinical trial out of the 3 included studies had evaluated the need for O2 therapy during the study between the probiotics and control groups, but without statistical significant difference. No statistical significant difference between the probiotics group and placebo group was observed regarding fatal prognosis during the only clinical trial that measured death as an outcome. Conclusion: We couldn’t judge on these results as they are insufficient data for pooling and meta-analysis. However, what we can say is “Most probably Probiotics have no role in treatment of COVID-19 infection”.

 

Keywords: COVID-19, Probiotics, Management, Meta-analysis, Systematic Review.

 

Universal Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2023;1(1):17–25.

 

https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/UJGH/article/view/735