The Safety of Nebulized Conjugated Linoleic Acid for COVID-19 Respiratory Tract Infections

Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid, and in 2007, the US FDA listed conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for human consumption. The potassium salt of conjugated linoleic acid (K-CLA) exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. K-CLA also possesses mucolytic properties. This study reviewed the safety of nebulized K-CLA for COVID-19-related respiratory tract infections early during the pandemic. Among 57 treated subjects, adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in three patients. Two reported an increased cough, and the other reported nausea with emesis. Of the 57 patients treated, 25 were hypoxic during their infection, and 18 of the 25 reported benefits with dyspnea and/or pulse oximetry after initiation of nebulized K-CLA. This retrospective case series provides initial human safety data and describes observed clinical outcomes in subjects treated with nebulized K-CLA, supporting the need for prospective controlled trials.