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Systematic Reviews
Published in: Systematic Reviews 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Diarrhea | Research

Therapeutics effects of bovine colostrum applications on gastrointestinal diseases: a systematic review

Authors: Parisa Hajihashemi, Fahimeh Haghighatdoost, Nazila Kassaian, Marzieh Rahim Khorasani, Laleh Hoveida, Hassan Nili, Babak Tamizifar, Peyman Adibi

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

Evidence on the effects of bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) diseases is conflicting.

Objectives

This systematic review summarized the findings of clinical trials (CTs) on the effects of BC supplementation on GI diseases.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in online databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus, until March 2021 and updated until December 2023. CTs investigated BC’s effect on any measurable symptomatic change in terms of GI health as the primary outcome variable or as one of the outcomes in any population eligible for this systematic review.

Results

Out of 6881 records, 22 CTs (uncontrolled = 4, cross-over = 1, and parallel = 17) with 1427 patients were enrolled in the systematic review. Diarrhea, the most frequently evaluated symptom (20 interventional arms), was decreased in frequency with BC supplementation in 15 of these arms. However, most studies reported no change in its duration. BC supplementation consistently reduced stool frequency across all seven studies. Abdominal pain relief was noted in four interventional arms but showed no improvement in five others. Assessment of other GI symptoms was limited, yielding inconclusive results.

Conclusions

There is limited evidence on the effects of BC on GI diseases, with mixed findings. More well-designed controlled clinical trials are required to explore its effects.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Therapeutics effects of bovine colostrum applications on gastrointestinal diseases: a systematic review
Authors
Parisa Hajihashemi
Fahimeh Haghighatdoost
Nazila Kassaian
Marzieh Rahim Khorasani
Laleh Hoveida
Hassan Nili
Babak Tamizifar
Peyman Adibi
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-024-02489-1

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