The effectiveness and safety of a polypeptide drug (Laennec) for the treatment of COVID-19

Abstract

Hyperferritinemia in patients with COVID-19 is associated with liver dysfunction and an increased risk of the “cytokine storm”. The polypeptide preparation Laennec (6 ml per 350 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution, iv, cap. The first 3 days, from 4 days — 6 ml per 250 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution) was used in 14 patients (age 39–86 years old, 6 men, 8 women) with a long, stagnant course of COVID-19 as a hepatoprotector and immunomodulator as part of complex therapy until a stable remission is achieved. Patients in the control group (n = 14) received only standard therapy. The use of Laennec led to positive clinical dynamics: a decrease in ferritin levels (in men by –282 mcg / l, in women by –80 mcg / l, P = 0.039), an increase in blood oxygenation to the normal range (P = 0.0029), and a decrease in the area of damage lung according to CT data (on average, —10%, P = 0.0027), an increase in the relative content of lymphocytes (+ 8%, P = 0.04), normalization of markers of liver dysfunction (AST, ALT), creatinine and systolic blood pressure (P <0.05). All patients treated with Laennec recovered within 3–15 days after the start of the drug and were discharged with a negative test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.