My Lucy
In Loving Memory my Lucy December 2016
Showing posts with label Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs. Show all posts
February 28, 2013
Types of Dog Cancers
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Cancer that occurs in the mouth, underneath the tongue or along the gums of the middle-aged and older cats. Common signs of squamous cell carcinoma in cats includes difficulty eating, interest in food but not wanting to eat, drooling and odor from the mouth.
Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone tumor in dogs. Osteosarcoma begins in the bone but can spread throughout the bloodstream very early in the course of the disease (metastasis). The most common areas of the body for this cancer to appear are the wrist, shoulder, knee and hip. The first sign of bone cancer is lameness due to pain from the cancer. Swelling often occurs at the tumor site.
Transitional Cell Carcinoma – Tumors usually form at the bladder opening and can cause blockage and painful urinartion. Pets frequently strain while trying to urinate. Transitional Cell Carcinoma can be difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms such as straining to urinate, blood in the urine or frequent urination are also a symptom of a urinary tract infection. This can delay the discovery of the cancer, especially since antibiotics can often result in some improvement of symptoms. Thus, at the time of diagnosis, bladder cancer can be fairly far advanced and may have spread to other parts of the body.
Adenocarcinoma: Anal sac adenocarcinomas are tumors arising from the apocrine glands present on either side of the rectum. These tumors can range greatly in size from a very small mass that can be found only after a rectal examination or a large mass protruding from the rectum. While the tumor appears locally, it is quite common for them to metastasize, often to the lymph nodes in between the spine and colon. Symptoms vary depending upon the gender of the pet and can include increased thirst, weakness, persistent licking at the site, difficulty defecating, decreased appetite.
Hemangiosarcoma - Most commonly found in the spleen, liver and heart and the prognosis is determined by the location of the disease. The cancer arises from the blood vessels and results in the production of abnormal blood vessels that can be weak and prone to leaking. As the cancer progresses, the cancerous vessels can rupture and results in blood loss. As the spleen is the organ most commonly affected by this type of cancer, rupture can lead to blood loss into the abdomen. This is an emergency situation and can result in weakness and collapse. Many pets with hemangiosarcoma often require a splenectomy.
Mast Cell Tumors - Mast cell tumors are among the most common tumors in dogs and are the most common type of skin cancer found in dogs. The most common location to find mast cell tumors is, by far, the skin, followed by the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Both normal and cancerous mast cells contain chemicals that can be released into surrounding tissues. When these chemicals (particularly histamine) are released into the normal surrounding body tissues, side effects can include digestive problems (for ex: bleeding ulcers), skin rashes, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Mast cell tumors vary greatly in their size, shape, appearance and texture. The only way to definitely identify them is with a biopsy and pathology report.
Lymphoma - is cancer of the lymphatic tissue. The lymph system is a core part of the body’s immune system. The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network that defends the body against infections. It is comprised of a network of lymphatic vessels that carry lymph (a clear, watery fluid that contains protein, salts, glucose and other substances) throughout the body. The lymphatic system also serves as a low pressure drainage system that collects interstitial fluid throughout the body and returns it to the bloodstream. The most common sign of lymphoma is a painless enlargement of the lymph nodes.
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February 25, 2013
Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs Herbal and Holistic Treatments
Dog Hemangiosarcoma
Canine hemangiosarcoma is an incurable tumor of cells that line blood vessels (endothelial cells). Based on current estimates of the lifetime risk of cancer in dogs and the prevalence of hemangiosarcoma, we predict that of 65 million pet dogs living in the United States today, as many as two million may get this cancer and die from it. Although dogs of any age and breed are susceptible to hemangiosarcoma, it occurs more commonly in dogs beyond middle age, and in breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs, and Skye Terriers, among others.Hemangiosarcoma develops slowly and is essentially painless – so clinical signs are usually not evident until the advanced stages when the tumors are resistant to most treatments. Less than 50% of dogs treated with standard-of-care for this tumor (surgery and intensive chemotherapy) survive more than six months. Many dogs die from severe internal bleeding before there is an opportunity to institute treatment.
DIAGNOSIS/INITIAL EVALUATION
Because these tumors arise in internal organs there is often little
warning that they are present prior to time they cause severe clinical
signs of disease. A common estimate of the average time from discovery
of the tumor until death occurs in affected dogs is six to eight weeks
but death occurs more rapidly than this in a number of cases.
Visible bleeding, usually in the form of nosebleeds, and signs
associated with blood loss, such as tiring easily, episodes of
unexplained weakness, pale color to the mucous membranes of the mouth
and eyes, increased respiratory rates, abdominal swelling and
depression are the most common presenting signs for patients with
hemangiosarcoma. A few dogs just suddenly die with no clinical signs
having been noted by their families prior to death. Bleeding disorders
associated with hemangiosarcoma are sometimes confused with immune
mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) because the type of anemia caused by
the two conditions is very similar and early clinical signs are often
very similar, as well. Hemangiosarcomas can cause very large tumors,
sometimes as large as ten or more pounds, when they affect the spleen.
In most instances tumors of this size in this location are found on
physical exam. In other cases the tumor affects the heart and is hard
to find on a physical exam and even easy to miss or X-rays. Sometimes
there are hundreds of small tumors spread throughout the body and
surgical exploration or an autopsy are the only ways to identify the
problem.The blood disorder that most commonly accompanies the presence of hemangiosarcoma tumors is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This is blood clotting that is occurring inappropriately inside the blood vessels. It uses up all of the blood clotting elements rapidly and dogs with this condition usually have platelet deficiencies, increased blood clotting times, decrease in fibrin content in the blood and an increase in fibrin degradation products (FDPs). This is probably the cause of death in most dogs affected with hemangiosarcoma.
Diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma can be accomplished in a number of ways. Identification of a tumor in the spleen or heart raises a high degree of suspicion for this tumor. Abdominal swelling is also highly suggestive in an older large breed dog. If fluid is aspirated from the abdomen and it looks like blood it is even more suggestive of hemangiosarcoma. If blood is drawn and will not clot when left in the syringe it is another sign that a dog may have this tumor. In some cases careful evaluation of the type of bleeding disorder present is necessary to raise the suspicion of hemangiosarcoma.
Canine hemangiosarcoma is among the most challenging and mysterious diseases encountered in veterinary practice. It is an incurable tumor of cells that line blood vessels, called vascular endothelial cells. Hemangiosarcoma is relatively common in dogs; it is estimated that this type of cancer accounts for 5-7% of all tumors seen in dogs. Considering the lifetime risk of cancer for dogs is between 1 in 2 and 1 in 3, we can calculate that 1.5 to 2.5 million of the ~72 million pet dogs in the United States today will get hemangiosarcoma and succumb from it. (WHAT!?)
Although dogs of any age and breed are susceptible to hemangiosarcoma, it occurs more commonly in dogs beyond middle age (older than 6 years), and in breeds such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Portuguese Water Dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Flat Coated Retrievers, Boxers and Skye Terriers, among others. According to the Golden Retriever Health Study published in 2000, the estimated lifetime risk of hemangiosarcoma in this breed is 1 in 5, illustrating the magnitude of this problem.
Unlike other cancers, hemangiosarcoma is almost an exclusive disease of dogs. In dogs, the common primary sites for hemangiosarcoma are the spleen, the right atrium of the heart, and the subcutis, which is the tissue beneath the skin. The pattern of growth for these tumors involves infiltration into normal tissues surrounding the tumor as well as distant spread (metastasis). The disease is indolent; in other words, it does not cause pain and the rate of growth in the early stages is relatively slow. Dogs harboring even large hemangiosarcomas may show no clinical signs or evidence that they have a life threatening disease. Generally, the tumor cells retain some normal aspects of behavior, so they try to make blood vessels. But these vessels are tortuous and malformed, and blood cells tend to pool in them and clot. The clots then prevent blood and nutrients from reaching tumor cells, in turn causing them to die. This creates small ruptures in the tumor through which blood may escape into the abdomen, heart sac, chest, or subcutaneous space. Depending on the amount of blood lost, affected dogs may show non-specific (constitutional) signs such as lethargy and weakness, but these are transient and resolve as dogs reabsorb the blood components and make new blood cells. The clinical signs are recurrent, but they also are subtle enough to go unnoticed for some time. Since hemangiosarcoma tends to metastasize aggressively to lungs, liver, intestines, and the membranous connective tissue that supports the intestines), distant spread (either microscopic or macroscopic) has inevitably occurred once the disease is finally diagnosed. The eventual outcome for patients with this disease often follows the rupture of a large or rapidly growing tumor, which results in acute, severe hemorrhage, collapse, shock, and death.
What Causes Hemangiosarcoma
We do not precisely know what causes canine hemangiosarcoma. The observations that the disease occurs more commonly in dogs than in other animals, and that some breeds are at higher risk than others tell us that heritable factors must contribute to risk. Tumors arise when cells accumulate mutations that eliminate normal constraints of growth and genetic integrity. These mutations provide cells a selective growth advantage within their environment, essentially the same evolutionary phenomenon that we call natural selection, albeit on a microscopic scale. Most mutations arise because the enzymes that control cell division are not foolproof.
Fortunately, most of these mutations are silent (they neither help nor hurt the cell or the organism), and the body has mechanisms to eliminate most cells that acquire deleterious mutations.
We have identified some of the fundamental properties of canine hemangiosarcoma, and it is possible one or more of these may prove to be an “Achilles heel” for the tumor. For example, most of these tumors make growth factors that they need to survive, or they “coerce” cells in their environment to do this for them. One of these growth factors is vascular endothelial growth factor-A or VEGF, which acts by binding specific receptors on the hemangiosarcoma cells. New drugs under development by various pharmaceutical companies are designed specifically to interfere with the signals transmitted by these receptors. The reliance of hemangiosarcoma cells on VEGF signals to survive should make them more sensitive than normal cells to these drugs. Several groups are working to bring these drugs into the clinic, but the process is slow because testing must be done in a careful, deliberate way to ensure the compounds are safe and effective.
Standard Treatment for Canine Hemangiosarcoma
Standard Treatment and prognosis for Hemangiosarcoma vary by location. Cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma is often curable with surgery alone, provided the lesion is small and confined to the dermis. Cutaneous Hemangiosarcoma often occur in areas of glabrous skin on lightly pigmented dogs and arise as a result of sunlight exposure.Lesions that are larger or deeper may be either primary or metastatic lesions and warrant more aggressive treatment. Treatment of splenic, atrial, or subcutaneous Hemangiosarcoma consists of surgical excision of the primary tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy. Recommended chemotherapy for Hemangiosarcoma is single-agent doxorubicin, intravenously given every 3 weeks. Use of an indwelling catheter is important because of the catastrophic tissue slough that occurs after doxorubicin extravasation. Owners should be warned of the potential of cardiotoxicity. A total of 4-6 doses of doxorubicin are recommended. Median survival time after surgery alone is reported to be 2-3 months, with the addition of chemotherapy increasing the median survival time to 4-6 months. The VAC protocol may be useful; however it has a higher morbidity rate with no increase in survival time. Dogs with splenic Hemangiosarcoma that have ruptured may have a poorer prognosis than those not ruptured. Currently several drugs are being investigated for their antiangiogenic properties, and may be useful for treatment of Hemangiosarcoma in the future. Follow-up for Hemangiosarcoma should include monthly thoracic radiographs and physical examinations.
Regrettably, the standard-of-care for this disease has not seen significant advancement over the past 20 or 30 years. There is presently no readily available, effective test for early diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. Careful analysis of blood samples by experienced pathologists may hint at the presence of chronic hemorrhage and blood vessel abnormalities that are suggestive of hemangiosarcoma. However, this method is neither sensitive nor specific to confirm the diagnosis. Non-invasive imaging methods are useful aids to diagnose the disease. In particular, ultrasound is moderately specific, but it is not sensitive, and the tumor must be large enough to be grossly visible. In addition, biopsies are required for confirmation of imaging results. Repeated biopsies of tissues where the tumors may arise (without other evidence for the presence of a tumor) are of little use to provide early diagnosis, and considering the fact that there is some risk to these procedures, such an approach is practically and ethically unacceptable.
The options for therapy of canine hemangiosarcoma are limited, largely because the disease is not diagnosed until the late stages. The conventional standard treatment consists of surgery to shrink or remove the primary tumor, when possible, followed by intensive chemotherapy. In some cases, surgery is not feasible, or it can be impractical or inappropriate (for example, if there is evidence of extensive metastatic spread to sites beyond the primary tumor). Median survival for dogs treated with surgery alone is approximately 90 days, and that is extended to approximately 180 days by the addition of chemotherapy using one of several protocols available. Because the goal for chemotherapy in pet dogs is to extend life with good quality, toxicity is generally not a major issue of concern(WHAT?!), and when it occurs it is most often managed without much difficulty.
Surgery and chemotherapy have limited success in prolonging survival times and increasing quality of life in dogs with HSA. Splenectomy alone gives an average survival time of 1–3 months. Advances in medical oncology are resulting in increased survival rates and a better quality of life for veterinary cancer patients. An understanding of mechanisms of metastasis has led to the development of new treatments designed to delay or inhibit tumor spread. Promising new treatment options include novel delivery systems (inhalation or intracavitary chemotherapy); use of immunomodulators such as liposome-encapsulated muramyl tripeptide-phosphatidylethanolamine; antimetastatic agents such as inhibitors of angiogenesis (interferons, thalidomide), matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors, and minocycline; dietary modifications; and gene therapy. Inhibitors of angiogenesis (meaning anti-angiogenesis) seem to be safe and, unlike conventional chemotherapy, do not induce drug resistance. Although many of the newer approaches are still under development and review, the use of multimodality therapy incorporating innovative treatment modalities may offer the best therapeutic option for dogs affected with HSA.
The nature of hemangiosarcoma itself draws attention to the prolific formation of blood vessels through the tumors. These vessels typically rupture causing loss of blood internally. Yun Nan Bai Yao herbs really helps slow the bleeding. As another integral part of natural healing for hemangiosarcoma is to help prevent the formation of new blood vessels with anti-angiogenesis supplements. Powerful medicinal mushrooms have been shown to discourage the rapid growth of these blood vessels and support the immune system.
A basic start I have seen people using is:
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. In the last two decades, some studies have suggested that PSP Beta glucans also has a tumor-fighting effect. Read about medicinal Mushrooms and Beta Glucans below.
Many dose dogs at 800-1600mg twice a day.
More then any other cancer I work with I think this is the most important one to make sure you have a good holistic vet on board. I know, I know I have said that a few times already.
"I saw this thread and just joined the boards so I could give you a little information. Our lab was diagnosed with this disease on March 8. He was given 1 month to live (large spleen tumor and spread to the liver) but has been doing okay. No additional bleeding, no weight loss, pink gums etc. The oncologist said we could have the spleen removed (but the cancer would remain since it had spread) and do chemo (they would not do chemo without the surgery); this might extend his life by a few months but we felt the pain and stress with little extension of live was not worth it for him. The vet oncologist put him on a Chinese herb called Yunnan payio/baiyo that inhibits bleeding (2 capsules 2 times a day for an 80 lb dog). We can get this from the vet or order online (cheaper). We also give many other supplements and feed a high protein, no grain diet with supplements of omega 3 fatty acids. Other supplements include milk thistle (for the liver), immune support, anemia meds, medicinal mushrooms, and others. "
Mushroom Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer
Mushroom-Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer, Study Suggests
Dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with a compound of Beta glucans derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. These promising findings offer hope that the compound may one day offer cancer patients -- human and canine alike -- a viable alternative or complementary treatment to traditional chemotherapies.
The study was conducted by two University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine faculty. They published their findings in an open-access article in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known commonly as the Yunzhi or Turkey Tail mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. In the last two decades, some studies have suggested that PSP Beta glucans also has a tumor-fighting effect.
"There have been a series of studies looking at groups of people with cancer," "The issue with those studies is that they weren't necessarily measuring what most people would think is the most clinically important result, which is, do people taking PSP Beta glucans live longer?"
To address this critical question,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine pursued a study in dogs with naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive, invasive cancer that arises from the blood cells and typically affects the spleen. It commonly strikes golden retrievers and German shepherds.
Fifteen dogs that had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma participated in the trial. Divided into three groups of five, each group received a different dose -- 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day -- of (Beta glucans), a formulation of PSP.
The owners were instructed to give their dog capsules of (Beta glucans), compounded by Penn pharmacists, daily. Each month, the owners brought their dogs to Penn's Ryan Veterinary Hospital for follow-up visits. There, the researchers took blood samples and conducted ultrasounds to determine the extent that tumors developed or grew and spread in the dogs' bodies.
Based on the ultimate endpoints -- how quickly the tumors progressed and how long the dogs actually lived -- the results of the researchers' trial suggest that the Beta glucans was effectively fighting the tumors.
"We were shocked," University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said. "Prior to this, the longest reported median survival time of dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen that underwent no further treatment was 86 days. We had dogs that lived beyond a year with nothing other than this mushroom as treatment."
There were not statistically significant differences in survival between the three dosage groups, though the median survival time was highest in the 100 mg group, at 199 days, eclipsing the previously reported median survival time.
The results were so surprising, in fact, that the researchers asked Penn Vet pathologists to recheck the dogs' tissue biopsies to make sure that the dogs really had the disease.
"They reread the samples and said, yes, it's really hemangiosarcoma," University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said.
Chemotherapy is available for treating hemangiosarcoma, but many owners opt not to pursue that treatment once their dog is diagnosed. "It doesn't hugely increase survival, it's expensive and it means a lot of back and forth to the vet for the dog," Cimino Brown said. "So you have to figure in quality of life."
As an added benefit, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have found no evidence of adverse effects from the Beta glucans treatment.
"Although hemangiosarcoma is a very sad and devastating disease, in the long term, if we prove that this works, this treatment can be a really nice alternative for owners to have increased quality time with their pet at the end of its life."
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:384301. doi: 10.1155/2012/384301. Epub 2012 Sep 5.
Single agent polysaccharopeptide delays metastases and improves survival in naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma.Brown DC, Reetz J.
Source
Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine and University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6010, USA.Abstract
The
2008 World Health Organization World Cancer Report describes global
cancer incidence soaring with many patients living in countries that
lack resources for cancer control. Alternative treatment strategies that
can reduce the global disease burden at manageable costs must be
developed. Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) is the bioactive agent from the
mushroom Coriolus versicolor. Studies indicate PSP has in vitro
antitumor activities and inhibits the growth of induced tumors in animal
models. The investment of resources required to
complete large-scale, randomized controlled trials of PSP in cancer
patients is more easily justified if antitumor and survival benefits are
documented in a complex animal model of a naturally occurring cancer
that parallels human disease. Because of its high metastatic rate and
vascular origin, canine hemangiosarcoma
is used for investigations in antimetastatic and antiangiogenic
therapies. In this double-blind randomized multidose pilot study,
high-dose PSP Beta Glucans significantly delayed the progression of metastases and
afforded the longest survival times reported in canine hemangiosarcoma.
These data suggest that, for those cancer patients for whom advanced
treatments are not accessible, PSP as a single agent might offer
significant improvements in morbidity and mortality.
- [Study on effects of Astragalus, Angelica and their combination on vascular endothelial cell proliferation in vitro].
Lei Y, Gao Q, Li YS.
Source
Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of TCM, Beijing 100091.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To study the effects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), Angelica sinensis (AS) and their combination on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and cells cycle.METHODS:
The effects were observed and studied by means of taking the cultured HUVECs as model to determine the cell proliferation with MTT method, cell cycle was analyzed with cytometry, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression with SABC method. The regulatory effects of AM, AS and their combination on the HUVEC proliferation promoting were observed and studied.RESULTS:
AM and AS, used singly or in combination, could promote the growth of endothelial cells, increase the cell population in S phase, the effects showed more significant when used in combination (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Meanwhile, VEGF expression in all the medicated group was up-regulated, but in the PBS control group, it showed only weak expression (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:
AM and AS have effect in promoting vascular endothelial cell proliferation and DNA synthesis, and showed synergistic effect when they were used in combination, suggesting that these two Chinese herbs could have certain effect on the genesis and development of neogenetic vascularization in ischemic myocardium..
October 25, 2012
Arginine in the Treatment of Cancerous Tumors
What is Arginine? (l-arginine)
Arginine is a complex amino acid and is considered to be conditionally essential. It does not fall perfectly into the essential or non-essential categories, due to the fact that arginine can be synthesized in the body at adequate levels for maintenance in normal adults. The body needs higher levels of arginine when it is under conditions of stress, illness, malnutrition or injury. When these conditions are present arginine then becomes essential. There are also some rare genetic disorders in which the synthesis of arginine is impaired; in these conditions supplemental arginine is necessary. It is interesting that even in those not deficient in arginine, beneficial effects were realized by supplementation.
In the human body arginine is most concentrated in skin and connective tissue.
Arginine has many benefits:
Aids in liver detoxification
Detoxifies ammonia
Increases sperm count in males
Aids in kidney disorders and trauma
Maximizes protein synthesis
Helps lower cholesterol
Stimulates blood flow
Stimulates cerebral circulation
Promotes optimum growth
Helps to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass
Assists the body in collagen production
Assists in the release of growth hormones
Enhances immune system function
Causes retardation of tumor growth
The actions of L-arginine which are related to its use in cancer treatment are:
Inhibits cellular replication of tumors
Assists in the release of growth hormones
Enhances immune response
Improves rate of wound healing (in cases of surgical intervention)
Arginine retards the growth of tumors and cancer by enhancing immune function. The thymus gland is the "director" of the immune system and plays a key role in determining the effectiveness of the immune response to cancer. When the body is under attack from cancer, protein loss causes the thymus to shrink, drastically reducing the strength of the body’s immune response. Supplements of free-form arginine, acting as the precursor of growth hormone, have shown the ability to increase the size and health of the thymus gland. The immune response becomes more vigorous as the thymus gland produces more of its enzyme, thymosin, which in turn stimulates the spleen and lymph nodes to manufacture higher levels of T lymphocytes (T-cells). The T-cells are not only increased in number, but also become more active and effective. T-cells aid in the destruction of pathogens, including cancerous cells, either by digesting the invading agents or by sending out toxic compounds to destroy them.
A correlation has been seen between the excess of an enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, and increased tumor growth. Arginine supplementation has been shown to decrease the activity of ornithine decarboxylase and aid in slowing tumor development in this manner also. It is also believed that the by-products of normal arginine metabolism produce anti-tumor activity resulting in lowering polyamines, which are elevated in many cancer patients.
(Arginine is L-Arginine. This is also the primary supplement in Hills Prescription Cancer Diet food. That food is canned because any cancer diet MUST be very high protein and medium fat. Almost all, probably 99% of all kibble dry dog foods no matter how much you pay is pretty high carb. Cancer loves carbs. Hills is available only at your vet at a very high price and does not have all that great ingredients. Just buy a good dry food and add l-arginine from your health food store to it with some cooked eggs or cooked ground turkey and some fish oil to up the quality protein and quality higher fats.)
I GIVE LUCY A 80# LAB 900mg of Arginine capsule.
Arginine in the Treatment of Cancerous Tumors
Arginine and Fish Oil May Help Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Effect of fish oil, arginine, and doxorubicin chemotherapy on remission and survival time for dogs with lymphoma
Research Supporting the Use of Arginine in Cancer Treatment:
Animals fed arginine rich diets (5%) had considerably fewer and more benign tumors when later treated with the carcinogen DMDA (Takeda, Y., et al, Cancer Research, vol. 35, p.2390, Sept. 1975).
Arginine added to drinking water in animals was able to inhibit subcutaneous tumor growth (Pryme, If, Cancer Letters, Vol5, p. 19, 1978).
Arginine added to diet of mice (5% of wt.) produced fewer tumors, slower growing tumors, and twice the mean survival time as compared to untreated mice (Milner, JA, et al., Journal of Nutrition, vol.109, p.489, 1979).
Via animal studies, researchers have speculated on two primary functions of arginine in the body; essential for the synthesis of reparative collagen in wound recovery, decreases some of the negative aspects of metabolic responses to injury (Seifter, E., et al., Surgery, vol.84, no.2, p.224, 1978).
Arginine supplements in animals stimulated thymus activity which resulted in reduced tumor growth (Critselis, AN, et al., Federation Proceedings, vol.36, p.1163, 1977). Arginine also dramatically improves wound healing.
Arginine stimulates lymphocyte immune response in 21 healthy human volunteers Barbul, A., et al., Surgery, vol.90, no.2, p.244, 1981).
Arginine supplements in tumor-bearing mice provided enhanced T-cell function, increased response to autologous tumors, retarded tumor growth, and prolonged median survival time (Reynolds, JV, et al., Annals of Surgery, p.202, Feb.1990).
In mice with neuroblastomas, arginine supplements provided significant tumor retardation in the ummunogenic group (Reynolds, JV, et al., Journal of Surgical Research, vol.45, p.513, 1988). Arginine’s tumoricidal abilities go beyond its protein sparing abilities or immune stimulation.
Arginine supplements in mice provided significant enhancement of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, natural killer cell activity, interleukin-2 receptors and general immune improvements (Reynolds, JV, et al., Surgery, vol.104, no.2, p.142, Aug.1988).
Accelerates protein synthesis and elevates albumin synthesis from 8.5% to 19.7% when used in TPN formula in 10 malnourished cancer patients (Tayek, JA, et al., Clinical Research, vol.33, no.1, p.72A, 1985).
Volunteers with breast cancer were given 10 milligrams a day for three days, which significantly enhanced several measures of immune function.. The mitogenic responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes were increased approximately 60%, while NK and LAK cytotoxicity were increased by 81 and 107%.
L-Arginine
is an essential amino acid required for the normal cellular growth, metabolism
and organ function. However, L-Arginine also plays a vital role in inducing
cell death - Apoptosis.
In a
recent study conducted on dogs suffering with lymphoblastic lymphoma,
researchers were able to increase survival time to a significant level by
providing L-Arginine and fish oil only as a dietary supplement. L-Arginine was found
to lower the levels of lactic acid and insulin in the blood and also reduce the
levels of cytokines that can help in the growth of cancer. L-Arginine also
helps in enhancing immunity in cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy
or surgery. Certain cancer types do not require L-Arginine for their growth.
Studies have shown that overloading such cancer cells with excess L-Arginine
has resulted in decreased tumor growth. October 4, 2012
Mushroom Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer
Mushroom-Derived Compound Lengthens Survival in Dogs With Cancer, Study Suggests
Dogs with hemangiosarcoma that were treated with a compound of Beta glucans derived from the Coriolus versicolor mushroom had the longest survival times ever reported for dogs with the disease. These promising findings offer hope that the compound may one day offer cancer patients -- human and canine alike -- a viable alternative or complementary treatment to traditional chemotherapies.
The study was conducted by two University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine faculty. They published their findings in an open-access article in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
The Coriolus versicolor mushroom, known commonly as the Yunzhi or Turkey Tail mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 2,000 years. The compound in the mushroom that is believed to have immune-boosting properties is polysaccharopeptide, or PSP. In the last two decades, some studies have suggested that PSP Beta glucans also has a tumor-fighting effect.
"There have been a series of studies looking at groups of people with cancer," "The issue with those studies is that they weren't necessarily measuring what most people would think is the most clinically important result, which is, do people taking PSP Beta glucans live longer?"
To address this critical question,University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine pursued a study in dogs with naturally occurring hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive, invasive cancer that arises from the blood cells and typically affects the spleen. It commonly strikes golden retrievers and German shepherds.
Fifteen dogs that had been diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma participated in the trial. Divided into three groups of five, each group received a different dose -- 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day -- of (Beta glucans), a formulation of PSP.
The owners were instructed to give their dog capsules of (Beta glucans), compounded by Penn pharmacists, daily. Each month, the owners brought their dogs to Penn's Ryan Veterinary Hospital for follow-up visits. There, the researchers took blood samples and conducted ultrasounds to determine the extent that tumors developed or grew and spread in the dogs' bodies.
Based on the ultimate endpoints -- how quickly the tumors progressed and how long the dogs actually lived -- the results of the researchers' trial suggest that the Beta glucans was effectively fighting the tumors.
"We were shocked," University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said. "Prior to this, the longest reported median survival time of dogs with hemangiosarcoma of the spleen that underwent no further treatment was 86 days. We had dogs that lived beyond a year with nothing other than this mushroom as treatment."
There were not statistically significant differences in survival between the three dosage groups, though the median survival time was highest in the 100 mg group, at 199 days, eclipsing the previously reported median survival time.
The results were so surprising, in fact, that the researchers asked Penn Vet pathologists to recheck the dogs' tissue biopsies to make sure that the dogs really had the disease.
"They reread the samples and said, yes, it's really hemangiosarcoma," University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine said.
Chemotherapy is available for treating hemangiosarcoma, but many owners opt not to pursue that treatment once their dog is diagnosed. "It doesn't hugely increase survival, it's expensive and it means a lot of back and forth to the vet for the dog," Cimino Brown said. "So you have to figure in quality of life."
As an added benefit, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have found no evidence of adverse effects from the Beta glucans treatment.
"Although hemangiosarcoma is a very sad and devastating disease, in the long term, if we prove that this works, this treatment can be a really nice alternative for owners to have increased quality time with their pet at the end of its life."
I give Lucy Swanson Beta Glucans or Beta 1,3/1,6-D-Glucans (same thing) 100mg- Immune Boosting beta 1-3, 1-6 glucan is a potent immune system stimulator. It is derived from yeast and specifically activates macrophages turning on your immune system. I believe, though, cancer treatment needs to be as diverse and multi-pronged as possible. So it needs to be more than just this.
Here is what is working on Lucy
http://dognasalcancertreatmentforlucy.blogspot.com/2012/03/dog-cancer-supplements-and-herbs-i-use.html
August 29, 2012
Cancer Article I found that is very helpful
The good news is that many of the 4 million people being treated for cancer in America will survive the disease and go on to live full and productive lives.
While the numbers that survive are far too low (about 44%), many of the more than 1500 daily cancer deaths occur because patients and their families are unaware of the depth of the resources currently available. Unfortunately, some die avowing they would never resort to natural medicine, while others are interested but lack the expertise to implement the program to their best advantage. Regrettably, some turn to alternative care fairly late in the course of the disease process, weakening the probability of recovery.
Mainstream medicine (relying upon surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) may initially appear successful, but the indications of the disease process are less often addressed. Conventional cancer treatments are not for those individuals who are frail in body or spirit. For the past 30 years, cancer therapies have experienced tremendous setbacks because of an associated toxic response, resulting in significant numbers of treatment-induced deaths rather than disease-induced fatalities. Awareness regarding historic numbers of unsuccessful outcomes has forced patients to look for alternatives to bolster survival odds. Many who use alternative therapies report doing so without their oncologist's knowledge, fearful of criticism or rejection by a physician (Richardson et al. 2000). (this is because it happens alot...)
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) found that 99.3% of patients had heard of complementary medicine, and 68.7% of patients reported having used at least one unconventional therapy (Richardson et al. 2000). About 75% of the patients surveyed, however, yearned for more information concerning complementary medicine and about one-half of those participating in the survey wanted the information to come from their physician.
Until most recently, major medical schools granted only a few hours to nutritional education out of the hundreds of academic hours required to complete medical school. The exclusion began when Abraham Flexner (commissioned to correct inequities occurring in medical schools) penned the Flexner Report of 1910. His contribution, entitled Medical Education in the United States and Canada, closed smaller medical schools and forced those that survived to adopt a uniform curriculum that excluded nutritional courses. Thus, some physicians emerged from medical schools, scoffing at the concept of nutrition influencing health or overcoming disease.
Sir William Osler (1849-1919), chief physician at Johns Hopkins's School of Medicine, drilled into students that medical research must be validated and replicated to be good medicine. This led to controlled experiments (as randomized, controlled trials) that became the backbone of mainstream medicine. Nutritional protocols often used multiple nutrients, a difficult model to apply in clinical trials. Testing a single nutraceutical denied the patient full support of nutritional pharmacology, an injustice when treating a seriously ill patient. In addition, trials are expensive to conduct and early natural healers (by and large) did not represent an affluent subset of society.
But, ever so slowly, the medical scene is being revolutionized. According to the American College for Advancement in Medicine, physicians (in many cases) are showing eagerness to learn more about natural medicine and how to best implement it into their practice (Corbin-Winslow et al. 2002). Scientists, teaching at nutritional seminars, report attendees are often medical doctors, a vast departure from years past.
PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING CANCER
While some individuals will be reading this protocol looking for help managing a malignancy, others will be focusing upon prevention and recurrence. The alphabetical list that follows provides quick guidelines for structuring a program, highlighting major nutrients in the prevention and treatment of cancer.These recommendations should not be implemented individually in aggressive cancers without careful consultation of the remainder of the material. Cancer patients (and physicians) should be deliberate about reading the entirety of this protocol in order to avoid missing information that could prove to be lifesaving.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE:
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcls-txt/t-prtcl-027.html
I am using much of what this article talks about on Lucy. And I just found this article. Nice to know I must be on to something.
It is written for humans but most of the stuff I use on Lucy where it is safe for dogs. Here is what I give Lucy
August 9, 2012
Moducare immune system modulation
Plant sterols and sterolins: potential immune system modulators
Sterols are plant fats found in all plant-based foods. Sterols, including cholesterol, are in the same large classification family of steroids but they do not have the negative effects that are often associated with steroids. Sterolins are glucosides, which are molecular structures joined to the sterol. Sterolin is easily destroyed, and without it, the sterol does not have the same immune-enhancing benefits. In nature, plants never contain sterols only. The sterols are always associated with their glucoside sterolin. The original research on sterols and sterolins was based on an extract of the African Hypoxis plant or "African Potato". Its nomenclature derived due to the potato-like appearance of the Hypoxis plant. Due to the presence of other potentially harmful substances contained within the Hypoxis plant, other plants were investigated as sources for the sterols and sterolins used in supplementation.
Wheat, for instance, contains about 4,200 milligrams of plant sterols per 100 grams, while wheat flour contains only about 52 milligrams of total plant sterols per 100 grams! The removed bran contains about 4,500 milligrams of total plant sterols per 100 grams and the unrefined oil about 2,600 milligrams per 100 grams. Crude plant oils are a relatively rich source of phytosterols and their glucosides, but most of these are removed during refining. While soybeans contain about 160 milligrams of total plant sterols per 100 grams, the crude oil contains approximately 350 milligrams. This is reduced to 220 milligrams when the oil is refined and is further reduced during hydrogenation. This applies to all plant oils.
In order to consume 100 milligrams of plant sterols, however, one would have to eat 500 to 700 grams of fresh vegetables and fruit or about 200 grams of flour products (without additives). This amount has to be doubled for a normal dietary supply due to the fact that sterols and sterolins are tightly bound to plant fiber and therefore are not completely absorbed. When processed food is eaten or when one is under stress, the attenuated rate of sterolin/sterol absorption is more acute. Slimming diets, ill health and old age also seriously reduce the intake of sterols and sterolins.
Sterols and sterolins seem to illicit immune regulating effects. Before we discuss this let's take a closer look at the immune system.
The immune response has two ways of dealing with foreign pathogens. The B-lymphocytes synthesize specific antibodies called immunoglobulins. This is known as humoral immunity. The other system involves T-lymphocytes, which regulate the synthesis of antibodies as well as direct killer cell activity and the inflammatory response of delayed type hypersensitivity. This system is known as cell-mediated immunity. The T-cells are further divided into helper lymphocytes (Th) and cytotoxic cells (Tc), also known as suppressor cells. When the T-cells encounter a foreign pathogen (antigen) they further secrete a number of communication molecules called lymphokines, cytokines, interleukins or interferons. These factors further elaborate and direct the immune response to a specific antigen. The whole process is a symphony of many co-factors, which are orchestrated into a sophisticated immune response. The T-helper cells are directly involved in assisting B-cells as well as coordinating their own cell-specific defense. The T-helper cells are further divided into two distinct lines of defense. The Th1 cells promote the cell-mediated line of defense and inhibit the other line known as Th2 cells, which regulate the humoral defense. The Th2 cell lines control the B-cells and inhibit the cell-mediated response of the Th1 lymphocytes. A careful balance between these two functions is thus achieved. When one line predominates, there is the opportunity for immune dysregulation to occur, resulting in either a hyper-immune response causing an autoimmune disease or a hypo-immune response resulting in an uncontrollable infection such as AIDS or tuberculosis. The Th1 helper cells secrete lymphokines such as interleukin-2 and gamma interferon. Th2 helper cells secrete pro-inflammatory lymphokines such as interleukin-6, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10. Interleukin-1 appears to be released in response to a specific injury and acts as an inflammatory mediator. Interleukin may be over-expressed in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Interleukin-1 deficiency is associated with metastatic tumors, nutritional deficiencies and certain autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-6 is associated with pro-inflammatory responses as well as mediating the proliferation and maturation of T-cells. High levels of interleukin-6 have been associated with a variety of autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, multiple myelomas, and some cancers such as cervical and bladder cancer. Interleukin-2 is a growth factor for T-cell maturation as well as an inducer of T-cell cytotoxicity and natural killer cell activity. An interleukin-2 deficiency would cripple the cell-mediated immune response and its stimulation would enhance the overall efficacy of the immune system. Immune dysregulation occurs when the two sides of the immune response become imbalanced.
Stress and our body chemistry
The body has developed mechanisms to protect it from the damaging effects of stress. The "fight-or-flight" response is one way the body deals with extreme situations of stress. Upon realizing we are in danger, the brain sounds an alarm, telling our adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline and cortisol, which mobilizes the body to fight or run. This response is supposed to be a short-lived reaction yet today most of us are in and out of this state continually. As a result, our immune system becomes imbalanced, sending out too many inflammatory cytokines. Our adrenal glands become exhausted, weakening several body systems, especially the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. What mechanism in the body occurs when we are under constant stress that causes disease?
When we are exposed to stressors our adrenal glands secrete the stress hormone, cortisol, causing a corresponding drop in our anti-aging and immune enhancing hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). A tremendous body of research has shown that when cortisol goes up, DHEA drops and when DHEA is normal, cortisol also normalizes. Low DHEA levels are seen in those that are immune compromised, have arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), diabetes and lupus.
Cortisol helps the body maintain homeostasis in the face of stressors counteracts inflammatory and allergic reactions and controls the metabolism of protein and carbohydrates. Cortisol is a very misunderstood hormone. Balance is the key. In naturally low doses it stimulates the immune system and in high doses, as prescribed in synthetic drug form, it can be immune suppressing. Remember that cortisol plays a role in counteracting inflammatory responses in the immune system and when cortisol is not available because the adrenal glands have become exhausted from too much stress, inflammation is allowed to continue unchecked. Conversely, too much cortisol and you have immune suppression.
The immune system also responds to stressors by causing certain immune cells to secrete the pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). These cytokines are both involved in inflammation and IL-6 in particular is thought to worsen the symptoms of autoimmune diseases and fibromyalgia. Interleukin-6 has been found to act as a growth factor in several tumors and some viruses also use IL-6 to replicate. Interleukin-6 also causes calcium to be released from bone, promoting osteoporosis. We must control the release of these cytokines if we want to enhance immunity and reduce degenerative diseases.
In the presence of stressors the immune system and endocrine system work as an integrated circuit. Deficiencies in the immune system and abnormalities in the cross talk with the endocrine system can influence the susceptibility of developing chronic inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, reduce ability to fight infections, osteoporosis, muscle atrophy, rapid aging, poor antibody production against vaccines and more. Modulating or keeping cortisol levels in balance through a healthy diet, nutritional supplements and stress reduction are key to disease prevention.
Mother nature's cortisol balancer
Endurance athletes are often studied because the effects of excessive exercise mimic other stressful events. Excessive physical stress causes tissue damage and in response promotes the release of cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines, especially Interleukin-6. DHEA and suppressed immunity are also seen in athletes that exercise to excess. Professor Patrick Bouic and his research team have shown that a plant nutrient called sterols and sterolins effectively modulates cortisol and controls Interleukin-6 and naturally increases DHEA. In a double blind, placebo-controlled study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine a group of 20 athletes were evaluated pre- and post-marathon run. Post-marathon results showed that the group treated with sterols and sterolins displayed a significant reduction in Interleukin-6 compared to the placebo group. A profound effect was observed in the balance between cortisol and DHEA levels in the sterol and sterolin-treated group. Cortisol increased as expected in the non-treatment group, causing immune suppression; it dropped in the group taking the sterols and sterolins. The cortisol decrease was accompanied by an increase in DHEA that was statistically significant.
Antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin A, C, E, B6, B3 and selenium, zinc, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, N-acetyl cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, essential fatty acids and an excellent diet rich in lean protein, complex carbohydrates with adequate amounts of organic fruits and vegetables should also be adopted to provide a powerful nutritional defense against the negative effects of stress. The mind and body is one unit, interrelated and highly complex. Though it may take a while for scientists to truly understand the intricacies of how stress affects immunity and the aging process, today we know that having a positive attitude; a loving family, friends and effective stress-coping strategies enhance our immune system and give us a few extra years.
Sterols and sterolins in clinical research
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvants in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Author: P.R. Donald; J.H. Lamprecht; M. Freestone; C.F.Albrecht; P.J.D. Bouic; D. Kotze; P.P. van Jaarsveld Source: International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, vol. 1 (5), pp. 518-522, July 1997
This is a double-blind study of 43 persons positively infected with pulmonary tuberculosis receiving conventional multi-antibiotic treatment to ascertain if the addition of a plant sterol/sterolin mixture could improve the clinical outcome. The study took place over 6 months and the patients were closely monitored with a variety of lab and radiographic tests. The groups receiving the sterol/sterolin mixture showed a significant weight gain over the placebo group. As well, the treatment group showed a significant increase in lymphocytes and eosinophils. The increase in lymphocytes is consistent with previous experiments indicating a T-cell proliferative effect with the oral intake of phytosterols. The increase in eosinophils is difficult to explain, since no previous allergic response has been attributable to the ingestion of the phytosterols. However, other data indicate there may be a relationship between the rise of CD4 lymphocytes and eosinophils. Plant sterols/sterolins have been demonstrated elsewhere to selectively increase CD4 lymphocyte counts. Other lab parameters remained the same between the two groups including hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophil count, serum globulin, creatinine, and urea. This preliminary study indicates that plant sterols and sterolins may have a positive role to play in the complementary treatment of immunocompromised patients.
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial of b-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
Author: R.R. Berges; J. Windeler; H.J. Trampisch; T.H. Senge and the b-sitosterol study group. Source: Lancet, vol. 345, no. 8964, pp. 1529-32, June 1995
This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study of 200 men with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) treated with the phytosterol, B-sitosterol. Two hundred men were selected and followed for 6 months using a variety of lab tests, and subjective and objective symptom indicators for BPH. Half the group received the active treatment, 20 mg B-sitosterol three times daily and the other half received the placebo. The results indicate that the group treated with B-sitosterol improved in both subjective symptoms of BPH and the objective measurement of improved urine flow. These results occurred independent of a reduction in actual prostate size. Only minor side effects were observed with the phytosterol treatment group compared to the more toxic side effects associated with the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor drugs such as finasteride. No mechanism for the effects of B-sitosterol on the prostate has been elucidated as yet. This study indicates that traditional herbal treatment of BPH with saw palmetto; pygeum africanus and pumpkin seeds may be attributable to the phytosterol content of these herbs. A German herbal preparation sold for the last 20 years under the trade name Harzol for the treatment of BPH contains a mixture of phytosterols including B-sitosterol.
A pilot study of the clinical effects of a mixture of beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Authors: Ingrid Louw, Anne Halland, Panaroma Hospital, Patrick Jacques Desire Bouic, University of Stellenbosch, Marga Freestone, Essential Sterolin Products (Pty) Ltd, Johan Lamprecht, University of Stellenbosch
Introduction: The mixture of Beta-sitosterol (BSS) and Beta-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities in vitro, inhibiting the secretion of IL6 and TNF-alpha from activated monocytes. Both factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of RA.
Objective: Could the BSS: BSSG mixture result in the improvement of active RA as assessed by ACR 20% response criteria?
Methods: After a two-week placebo run-in phase, patients with active RA were randomized to receive either 20mg BSS/0.2mg BSSG capsules tid or placebo (225mg carrier) tid for 24 weeks. Mean demographics of the patient groups were similar. All patients had active RA as defined by ACR criteria. Stable DMARD doses were required for 3 months prior to the start and for the duration of the study. No new DMARD therapy could be initiated during the study. Patient response was assessed in terms of ACR response criteria (>20% improvement). Significant changes between active and placebo groups were calculated with the Kruskal-Wallis 2-sample test. Changes within a group relative to baseline were calculated with the Wilcoxon rank test.
Results: 18 Patients were enrolled (8 on actives and 10 on placebo). In the active group, statistically significant changes were measurable in the mean tender joint count (85% ACR response); patient's assessment of pain (28% response); patient's global assessment of disease activity (33% response); physician's global assessment of pain (47%) and the MHAQ decreased (47% response). The ESR also decreased significantly (56% response). The placebo group had no significant improvement in the ACR 20% improvement criteria. At 24 weeks, significant differences between groups with regards to tender joint count, MHAQ, physician's global assessment and patient's assessment of disease activity were demonstrated. The BSS: BSSG mixture was well tolerated and no serious adverse events were recorded.
The effects of b-sitosterol (BSS) and b-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon runners: inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation.
Author: P.J.D. Bouic; P.P. van Jaarsveld; A. Clark; J.H. Lamprecht; M. Freestone and R.W. Liebenberg Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine
A double blind study was performed on marathon runners to see if the addition of a sterol/sterolin mixture would prevent the immune suppression and inflammatory reaction characteristic to high intensity athletics. Twenty marathon runners were recruited to take part in the trial and blood draws and medical histories were taken 4 weeks prior to the marathon event and three days after. Half the group received a placebo and the other half received a 100:1 mixture of sterols/sterolins. The RBC count went down significantly for the placebo group but remained the same for the treatment group. Neutrophils rose significantly for the treatment group, indicating infection, but remained constant in the treatment group. The lymphocyte count went down for the placebo group, specifically the CD3, CD4, and CD8 subsets. The treatment group actually experienced a significant rise for the CD3 and CD4 lymphocyte subsets. Interleukin 6 levels, which indicate an inflammatory reaction, went up for the placebo group, but down in the treatment group. As well, the cortisol levels, which indicate stress levels and degree of immunosuppression, were significantly elevated for the placebo group, but remained constant in the treatment group. The treatment group showed an increase in DHEA levels and a decrease in the cortisol/DHEA ratio, indicating that the sterol/sterolin mixture was helping to buffer the negative side effects of the stress response. The results of this experiment clearly show that taking a sterol/sterolin mixture prior to a highly stressful physical event protected the treatment group from the immunosuppression typically exhibited by the placebo group. As well, the sterol/sterolin mixture protected against the excessive inflammatory response typical of anyone running a marathon. Thirdly, the sterol/sterolin mixture buffered the excessive release of cortisol with its immunosuppressive effects. As well, the sterol/sterolin mixture raised DHEA levels and lowered the cortisol/DHEA ratio, indicating a more adaptive response to stress. These results indicate that sterols/sterolins are adaptogenic in that they modulate the immune and stress response. This makes them extremely valuable adjuncts to the prevention and treatment of a wide range of stress-mediated disorders, as well as immune dysregulation and inflammatory diseases.
Addison's disease, Colitis, Crohn's Disease, Type I Diabetes, Grave's Disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Lupus, Myasthenia Gravis, Polymyalgia rheumatica, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, and Sjogren's syndrome are autoimmune conditions that could benefit from sterol/sterolin supplementation.
Who should avoid sterol/sterolin supplementation?
Recipients of foreign organs and tissues, including bone marrow and corneal transplants, are cautioned not to take any immune regulating nutritional supplements. Therefore, sterols and sterolins are NOT recommended for transplant patients. People with synthetic replacement/reconstruction will not be affected, such as in hip replacement, knee replacement, breast reconstruction, and pacemaker implant.
People with multiple sclerosis should take plant sterols and sterolins only under the guidance of their health care practitioner.
Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar closely as many have experienced a reduction in insulin requirements. They should start with one capsule daily to ensure a gradual increase in sterols and sterolins.
What is the difference between sterol/sterolin supplements and herbs that boost immune response, such as echinacea?
The key difference between echinacea and sterol/sterolin supplements is that echinacea only stimulates the immune system, while sterol/sterolin balances it. Echinacea is not recommended for prolonged use, or for people with autoimmune conditions. Sterols and sterolins allow the immune system to regulate itself: "upregulating" or boosting an underactive response and "downregulating" an overactive one.
Introducing Moducare
Moducare, a patented unique blend of sterols and sterolins. Moducare contains only the isolated molecules of the sterols and sterolins, which have been extracted from pine trees (Pinus Maritima and Pinus Pinaster). What do you do if you have a pine allergy? There is none of the original plant in the final product. If you looked at these plant fat molecules in a laboratory, you would not be able to tell if they had been extracted from oranges, peas, almonds, etc. If you are still concerned, you can always start slowly with one-half or one capsule per day.
Moducare should be taken on an empty stomach - one half hour before or two hours after a meal for maximum absorption. However it can be taken with fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds.
The important thing is to remember is to take it away from cholesterol (animal fat), including all meat, dairy, eggs, seafood, etc. Cholesterol has a very similar molecular structure and the two compounds "compete" for absorption. You can also take Moducare with beverages, as long as they contain no cholesterol.
Moducare is the only formula that offers sterols and sterolins in the correct ratio of 100:1, which has been shown to balance and improve immune system functioning. It is recommended as a daily supplement for immune support, as well as part of a targeted program to address autoimmune diseases, under the guidance of a medical doctor.
Dosage information
Adults: 3 capsules daily, usually one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening, taken on an empty stomach for maximum absorption. Children: 1 capsule per day for children under 5; 2 per day for children between 5 and 12; and children over 12 can take the adult dose. For very young children who are unable to swallow a capsule, the capsule can be opened and the contents mixed with applesauce or other fruit/vegetable puree.
Dogs: I give Lucy a 80# Lab 1 with a small evening snack opened up and sprinkled on it.
References
1. P.R. Donald; J.H. Lamprecht; M. Freestone; C.F.Albrecht; P.J.D. Bouic; D. Kotze; P.P. van Jaarsveld, A randomized placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvants in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis: International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, vol. 1 (5), pp. 518-522, July 1997
2. R.R. Berges; J. Windeler; H.J. Trampisch; T.H. Senge and the b-sitosterol study group, Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of B-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Lancet, vol. 345, no. 8964, pp. 1529-32, June 1995
3. P.J.D. Bouic; P.P. van Jaarsveld; A. Clark; J.H. Lamprecht; M. Freestone and R.W. Liebenberg, The effects of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon runner: Inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation; International Journal of Sports Medicine, vol. 234, no. 5636, pp.1221-31, May 1997.
4. Dreher, Henry: The Immune Power Personality, Penguin Books USA Inc., New York, 1995.
5. Thibodeau/Patton: The Human Body in Health and Disease, Mosby Publishing, 1997.
6. Nutritional Counseling: Anatomy and Physiology, American Health Science University, Independent publication, 1998.
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