Efficient control of IL-6, CRP and Ferritin in Covid-19 patients with two variants of Beta-1,3-1,6 glucans in combination, within 15 days in an open-label prospective randomized clinical trial

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Abstract

Background

Several biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), are established predictors of disease severity and respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients.

Objective

In this randomized clinical study, we evaluated the efficiency of the combination of two variants’ AFO-202 and N-163 strains of Aureobasidium Pullulans produced 1,3-1,6 beta glucans in comparison with the control arm on these biomarkers in COVID-19 patients.

Methods

A total of 40 RT-PCR positive Covid-19 patients divided into two groups: i. control (n=22) – Standard treatment; ii. (n =18) – Standard treatment + combination of AFO-202 and N-163 beta glucans for 15 days.

Results

The treatment group showed decrease in CRP level compared to control. At day 7, CRP reduced to 5.53 ± 8.21 mg/L in the treatment group vs. 4.91 ± 12.54 mg/L in control (p = 0.98) (95% CI: -34.40 to 35.14). By day 15, CRP continued to be decreased at 5.42 ± 10.41 mg/L in the treatment group but it increased to 14.0 ± 37.16 mg/L in control (p = 0.52) (95% CI: -37.65 to 19.40). IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the treatment group on day 7 (p = 0.03) but the difference was not significant by day 15 (p = 0.30). Ferritin levels in the treatment group decreased from 560.58 ± 537.30 ng/mL to 127.51 ± 215.91 ng/mL by day 15, while in control increased (p = 0.98). D-Dimer level decreased in the treatment group by day 15 but was not significantly different from control (p = 0.56).

Conclusion

These results suggest that 15-day co-supplementation with AFO-202 and N-163 beta-glucans effectively controlled CRP, ferritin, and IL-6 in COVID-19 patients. Further research is warranted to investigate the potential of this supplement as a treatment adjunct, especially in vulnerable populations facing emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

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  1. SciScore for 10.1101/2021.12.14.21267778: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    Ethicsnot detected.
    Sex as a biological variableSevere Covid-19-affected patients requiring intensive care, children and pregnant women were excluded.
    Randomizationnot detected.
    Blindingnot detected.
    Power Analysisnot detected.

    Table 2: Resources

    Software and Algorithms
    SentencesResources
    Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and Origin 2021b statistical software.
    Microsoft Excel
    suggested: (Microsoft Excel, RRID:SCR_016137)
    Origin
    suggested: (Origin, RRID:SCR_014212)

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).


    Results from LimitationRecognizer: We detected the following sentences addressing limitations in the study:
    The limitations of the study include the drop-outs that have been attributed to the psychosocial factors of visiting the hospital for follow-up. Though the effects of the beta glucans amidst the rise of variants of concern such as the Omicron need to be studied, nevertheless the advantageous effects of these safety-proven beta-glucans reported in the present study make them worth considering as the optimal supplemental treatment and prophylaxis adjuvants.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.


    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.


    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.


    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    Results from scite Reference Check: We found no unreliable references.


    About SciScore

    SciScore is an automated tool that is designed to assist expert reviewers by finding and presenting formulaic information scattered throughout a paper in a standard, easy to digest format. SciScore checks for the presence and correctness of RRIDs (research resource identifiers), and for rigor criteria such as sex and investigator blinding. For details on the theoretical underpinning of rigor criteria and the tools shown here, including references cited, please follow this link.