Porcine Spleen Powder
Also known as: Porcine Spleen Powder, Spleen Aminopeptide Oral Lyophilized Powder, SAOLP, splenamine-based peptides
Overview
Porcine Spleen Powder is a lyophilized extract derived from fresh pig spleen, containing bioactive peptides and nucleotides. It is primarily used as an immunomodulatory supplement to enhance immune function and support recovery in various clinical conditions. This supplement is often administered orally and has been studied for its potential benefits in pediatric patients with liver injury, individuals with immune disorders, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Research indicates its ability to modulate immune cells and inflammatory responses, leading to improved liver function markers and enhanced immune cell counts. While several randomized controlled trials exist, comprehensive systematic reviews specifically on porcine spleen powder are still limited, suggesting a moderate level of research maturity.
Benefits
Porcine Spleen Powder offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily focused on immune modulation and organ support. It has shown significant improvement in liver function markers, such as reduced bilirubin levels, in pediatric patients with liver injury, with reductions of approximately 20-30% within 4 weeks. In breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, it enhanced immune function, evidenced by increased CD3, CD4, and CD8 T-cell counts, which were significantly elevated by day 84. Clinical efficacy rates were notably higher (98% vs. 76%) in therapy groups receiving spleen aminopeptides compared to controls, with fewer complications. These benefits extend to improved health-related quality of life in cancer patients and better immune homeostasis. The strength of evidence comes from small to moderate-sized randomized controlled trials, indicating consistent positive outcomes, particularly in pediatric patients with liver injury, adults with hepatitis B, and breast cancer patients.
How it works
Porcine Spleen Powder primarily exerts its effects by modulating cellular immunity. It is believed to enhance T-lymphocyte function, specifically increasing CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell populations, which are crucial for immune responses. The bioactive peptides within the powder likely act as signaling molecules, influencing immune cell activity and regulating immune homeostasis. This modulation may contribute to enhanced antiviral and antitumor immune responses. While the exact molecular targets are not fully characterized, its interaction with the immune system suggests a role in regulating cytokine production and immune cell proliferation. Administered orally, the peptides and nucleotides are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, though detailed pharmacokinetic studies are not extensively documented.
Side effects
Porcine Spleen Powder is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse effects reported in clinical trials. The most common side effects, occurring in less than 5% of users, include mild gastrointestinal reactions and occasional cough, which are significantly less frequent than in control groups. Uncommon side effects (1-5%) have included rare instances of skin rash and elevated platelet counts, though these were also reported less frequently in treated groups. No serious adverse events have been documented in available studies, indicating a favorable safety profile. Specific drug interactions are not well-studied, so caution is advised when co-administering with immunosuppressants or chemotherapy agents. Contraindications are not explicitly reported, but individuals with known allergies to porcine products should exercise caution. It has been used safely in infants, children, and adults in clinical studies.
Dosage
The optimal dosage for Porcine Spleen Powder is not yet standardized and varies depending on the patient's age, condition, and the specific formulation used. Clinical studies have utilized oral lyophilized powder formulations. For pediatric patients, doses were administered daily over several weeks, but exact mg/kg dosing is not consistently reported across studies. Treatment durations typically range from 2 to 6 weeks for observed benefits. There is no clearly established maximum safe dose, as no dose-limiting toxicity has been reported in clinical trials. The oral lyophilized powder form is generally preferred due to its bioavailability and patient compliance. No specific cofactors are documented as required for its absorption or efficacy, and it is assumed to have good oral bioavailability of its peptide components.
FAQs
Is porcine spleen powder safe for children?
Yes, clinical trials involving infants and children have reported good safety profiles, indicating it can be used safely in pediatric populations.
How soon can benefits be expected?
Improvements in liver function markers and immune cell counts typically begin to appear within 2 to 4 weeks of starting treatment.
Can it be used alongside chemotherapy?
Yes, it has been used as an adjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to improve immune response and quality of life.
Are there any allergic risks?
While potential for allergy to porcine proteins exists, it is rare and not commonly reported in studies. Individuals with known allergies to pork products should be cautious.
Does it cure diseases?
Porcine Spleen Powder is considered an adjunct therapy that supports immune function and helps improve symptoms; it is not a standalone cure for diseases.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11229994/ – This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of spleen aminopeptides in 100 patients with liver disease. The study found a significantly higher effective rate (98% vs. 76%) and fewer complications in the therapy group compared to controls, suggesting a beneficial role in liver disease management.
- https://tp.amegroups.org/article/view/55674/html – This cohort study with a comparison group evaluated 217 infants and children with liver injury. It reported a significant reduction in bilirubin levels in the treated group compared to controls, indicating the potential of porcine spleen powder to improve liver function in pediatric patients.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8517102/ – This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial involving 120 breast cancer patients demonstrated that treatment with porcine spleen powder improved immune cell counts (CD3, CD4, CD8) and health-related quality of life in the treatment group over 84 days, highlighting its immunomodulatory effects during chemotherapy.
