SHARK CARTILAGE SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS

Shark Cartilage Benefits

SHARK CARTILAGE SIDE EFFECTS
HYPERCALCEMIA
Cartilage nutritional supplements are not perceived as medications and
are presumed to be safe, who may however be at risk for hypercalcemia.
Lagman R and Walsh D. at Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center reported eight
cases of hypercalcemia in cancer patients at Cleveland Clinic Foundation
in whom these nutritional supplements may have contributed to the
prevalence or severity of hypercalcemia. Dangerous nutrition? Calcium,
vitamin D, and shark cartilage nutritional supplements and cancer-related
hypercalcemia. Support Care Cancer. 2003 Apr;11(4):232-5.Epub 2003 Jan 15.

HEAVY METAL CONTENT
Kim M from Korea FDA pointed out that calcium supplements mad of shark
cartilage had the highest means of mercury and cadmium. The mean daily
intakes of mercury and cadmium from the supplement were estimated in
the range of 0.1-0.2 microg, which were still below the 0.4% of
provisional tolerable daily intakes.Mercury, cadmium and arsenic contents of
calcium dietary supplements. Food Addit Contam. 2004 Aug;21(8):763-7.

INTRODUCTION

Angiogenesis is an important feature for tumor growth. In the past,
cartilage has been shown to be a natural source of material with strong
antiangiogenic activities. And, some manufacturers claimed that shark
cartilage can be used to treat diseases like osteo-arthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis as well as eczema. In this article, we
summarize the key research findings about shark cartilage's
pharmacological effects in the last two years.

SHARK CARTILAGE's COMPONENTS

Shark cartilage is made up of mainly collagen, amino acids, minerals and
glycosaminoglycan.

Shark cartilage contains over 40% pure collagen protein, plus essential
and non essential amino acids. Collagen and Amino Acids are necessary
for elasticity of the tissues, healing of cracked skin, torn ligaments and
tendons and growth and rejuvenation of skin and connective tissues. It is
also a good source of minerals-calcium, phosphorous, magnesium,
potassium, zinc, iron and chromium, manganese and silica. These
components are essential for the maintenance and normal function of
cells, muscles, bones and joints. Glycosaminoglycans attract and retain
moisture to resist compression and deliver nutrients to cells that need it.
They are also mportant building blocks for joint cartilage components,
shock absorbing properties and replenishment of joint fluid lubricant.

SHARK CARTILAGE's ANTI-MUTAGENESIS EFFECT

Felzenszwalb et al used electrophoretical assays, bacteria survival and
transformation to prove that shark cartilage could protect cells against
reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage and mutagenesis.
[Reference: Shark cartilage-containing preparation: protection against reactive
oxygen species, Felzenszwalb et al, Universidade do Estado do, Brazil, Food Chem
Toxicol. 1998 Dec;36(12):1079-84.]

Kern et al at Harvard Medical School used various methods such as light
microscopy, flow cytometry to identifythat the active region of troponin I
(in shark cartilage) was the molecule responsible for its antiangiogenic
effect.
[Reference Troponin I peptide (Glu94-Leu123), a cartilage-derived angiogenesis
inhibitor; in vitro and in vivo effects on human endothelial cells and on pancreatic
cancer. Kern et al, Harvard Medical School, USA, J Gastrointest Surg. 2003
Dec;7(8):961-8; discussion 969.]

In a study of infiltration of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) lymphocytes into a
murine tumor model, Feyzi et al found that a protein fraction of shark
cartilage had anti-angiogenic effects. This protein faction could also
augment cellular immune response and T-cell infilration into the tumor.
[Reference Modulation of CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes by
a fraction isolated from shark cartilage: shark cartilage modulates anti-tumor
immunity. Feyzi et al, Tarbiat Modares University, Iran, Inti Immunopharmacol.
2003 Jul;3(7):921-6.

Shen et al purified SCAIF-I, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, with molecular
weight of 18 kD, from shark cartilage and they supproessed 87.93% of
the growth of Lewis lung carcinoma implanted in C57BL/6 mice. Reference
Purification and Functional Characterization of a Shark Cartilage Factor
Inhibitory to Angiogenesis, Shen et al, Naval Medical Research Institute, China,
Sheng Wu Hua Xue Yu Sheng Wu Wu Li Xue Bao (Shanghai). 2000;32(1):43-48.]
Similar Research- Reference SCAIF80, a Novel Inhibitor of Angiogenesis, and Its
Effect on Tumor Growth. Shen et al, Fudan University, China, Sheng Wu Hua Xue
Yu Sheng Wu Wu Li Xue Bao (Shanghai). 2001;33(1):99-104.

SHARK CARTILAGE's ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT

Fontenele et al extracted a wate-soluble fraction (WSF) with 0.1 M
ammonium bicarbonate, pH 8.0 from shark cartilage. They found that oral
administration of WSF caused 25.7% inhibition of the paw edema
produced in female Wistar rats (200-250g) by carrageenan. They also ran
some other tests and concluded that a protein molecule in shark cartilage
is probably responsible for the anti-inflammatory / analgesic actvities.
[Reference Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a water-soluble fraction
from shark cartilage. Fontenele JB et al, Universidade do Estado do, Brazil, Braz J
Med Biol Res. 1996 May;29(5):643-6.]

SHARK CARTILAGE's POTENTIAL EFFECT ON PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease associated with dilation
of capillaries. In advanced conditions, lesions develop. Cartilage is an
"avascular tissue", it was thought that cartilage contained factors to
inhibit blood vessel formation. Dupont and his group extracted the active
agent (termed AE-941) from shark cartilage and test its antiangiogenesis
activity using the embryonic vascularization test. The result suggested
that topical AE-941 (Neovostat trade mark; AEterna) had a beneficial
effect in psoriasis.
[Reference: Antiangiogenic properties of a novel shark cartilage extract: potential
role in the treatment of psoriasis. Dupont et al, Les Laboratoires Aeterna, Canada,
J. Cutan Med Surg. 1998 Jan:2(3):146-52.] Related Reference AE-941, a
multifunctional antiangiogenic compound: trials in renal cell carcinoma. Bukowshi
RM, The Cleveland Clinic Raussig Cancer Center, USA, Expert Opin Investig Drugs:
2003 Aug;12(8):1403-11. Related Reference The antiangiogenic agent Neovastat
(AE-941) induces endothelial cell apoptosis.Boivin D et al, Loboratoire de medecine
moleculaire, Hopital Ste-Justine-Universite du Quebec a Montreal, Canada, Mol
Cancer Ther. 2002Aug;1(10):795-802.

WARNINGS

(1) Children, (2) people who have had a recent heart attack, surgery or
major operation, (3) women who are pregnant or breast feeding (4) Body
builders or athletes who are attempting to build large muscles should not
use cartilage. New blood vessel formation is critical for them.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM)'s SUMMARY
ON THE USE OF CARTILAGE

Bovine (cow) cartilage and shark cartilage have been studied as
treatments for cancer and other medical conditions for more than 30
years.

Three principal mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the
antitumor potential of cartilage: 1) it kills cancer cells directly; 2) it
stimulates the immune system; and 3) it blocks the formation of new
blood vessels (angiogenesis), which tumors need for unrestricted growth.

At least 3 different inhibitors of angiogenesis have been identified in
bovine cartilage, and 2 angiogenesis inhibitors have been purified from
shark cartilage.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH
YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING ANY SUPPLEMENTS OR IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2006-9 zhion