Experimental Bowel Medicine Accelerates MIS-C Healing in Children

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Experimental Gut Medication Shows Promise for Severe Post-COVID Condition in Children

A novel intestinal medication has demonstrated the ability to accelerate recovery in children suffering from MIS-C, a serious post-COVID-19 condition. MIS-C, or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, can lead to severe health issues, including heart problems and damage to other organs, with recovery sometimes taking months.

Depressive Symptoms and MIS-C

During the initial two years of the pandemic, before childhood vaccinations were widely available, approximately 90 out of 300 children hospitalized with COVID-19 were diagnosed with MIS-C. Vaccination has been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing MIS-C in children. While MIS-C is typically manageable with anti-inflammatory drugs, some children experience lingering effects such as memory problems or depressive symptoms.

The precise causes of long-term post-COVID complaints are not yet fully understood. One leading scientific theory suggests that viral particles may become lodged in the body, potentially in the intestines. This could lead to fragments of viral proteins,notably the spike protein found on the virus’s exterior,circulating in the bloodstream.

Larazotide Trial and Findings

To investigate this theory,researchers conducted a trial involving six children with MIS-C who received the experimental drug Larazotide,while another six received standard treatment. Larazotide works by strengthening the connections between cells in the intestinal lining, thereby reducing its permeability. The participating children, aged between nine months and thirteen years, were administered the medication four times daily for three weeks and were monitored by doctors for an additional six months.

The results indicated that the experimental treatment expedited the recovery process for the patients compared to the control group. Specifically, gastrointestinal issues resolved more quickly, and circulating fragments of the coronavirus’s spike protein were cleared from the bloodstream at a faster rate. These children were also able to resume their daily activities sooner. Importantly, no adverse side effects were observed from the Larazotide treatment.

Spike Protein and immune Response

The study observed a correlation between elevated levels of spike protein in the blood and increased inflammatory markers, and also reported gastrointestinal complaints. This finding supports the hypothesis that persistent, uncleared spike proteins may trigger an overactive immune response. Such a hyperactive immune response is also characteristic of other long-term post-COVID conditions, often referred to as Long Covid, where spike proteins have been found to circulate in approximately 40% of affected individuals.

The researchers propose that Larazotide could potentially be beneficial in managing the exaggerated inflammatory reactions seen in other post-COVID disorders that involve persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.