Shark liver oil has been used for over 40 years as both a therapeutic and preventive agent. The active ingredients in shark liver oil have been found to be a group of ether-linked glycerols known as alkylglycerols. Initial clinical use was for treating leukemias, and later to prevent radiation sickness from cancer x-ray therapy. Studies over the last 30 years have shown that alkylglycerols are multifunctional. The level of natural alkylglycerols rises within tumor cells, apparently in an effort to control cell growth. Recent studies indicate that the activation of protein kinase C, an essential step in cell proliferation, can be inhibited by alkylglycerols. This action suggests a competitive inhibition of 1.2-diacylglycerol by alkylglycerols. Further studies on the immunostimulatory action of alkylglycerols suggest a primary action on the macrophage. The process of macrophage activation has been demonstrated with both synthetic and natural alkylglycerols. While the exact mechanism has not been found, both an autocrine and paracrine system have been suggested. Shark liver is a major natural source of alkylglycerols, which have no known side effects in dosages of 100 mg three times a day. The information presented in this article suggests that alkylglycerols may be used both as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of neoplastic disorders and as an immune booster in infectious diseases.
In a double-blind clinical trial on 49 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, calciferol was given in a dose of 100000 IU per day for 1 year to 24 patients, while the remaining 25 received placebo. Objective and subjective improvement was noted in 67% of the calciferol group and in 36% of the control group, while objective and subjective deterioration was noted in 4% of the calciferol group and in 32% of the control group. The mean values for sedimentation rate and axglobulin decreased and the mean hemoglobin level increased in the calciferol group. The consumption of analgesics and antiinflamm atory medicines decreased significantly in the calciferol group and after 1 year morning stiffness had eased and hand strength had increased in this group. 14 Control 3 7 15 Scand J Rheumatology 2 Scand J Rheumatol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Sydney on 01/03/15 For personal use only. Johan Brohult Medical Department 111 Sddersjukhuset Stockholm Sweden Scand J Rheumatology 2 Scand J Rheumatol Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Sydney on 01/03/15 For personal use only.
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