From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2002-07-26 20:38:43 UTC
Subject: RE: Cholangiohepatitis
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <28143157.1027715923756.JavaMail.root@scandium>
A summary from _PDR for Nutritional Supplements_ (a text for human needs, but one for ferrets is lacking...):
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: This is a disulfide compound, once mistakenly thought to be a vitamin that is a co-factor in energy producing reactions in the body, and found widely in plant and animal sources.
In Germany it is sold as a drug for diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathies and for liver disease. From the looks of the article most of the research is on relief for diabetic neuropathy for which it had good results in large and small studies. There are further studies indicating other positive uses for those humans with diabetes. In addition it may be useful against oxidative stress and for atherosclerosis, a variety of chemical and radiologic toxins and some other stresses, as well aas for some inborn metabolic disorders such as Wilson's Disease. Preliminary work indicates that there may be some immune-modulating effects.
There have been unsubstantiated claims of anti-aging effects.
The studies done so far have shown any improvements in nerve conduction velocity.
Animal studies indicate that it might help decrease damage for heart attacks or strokes, and that is may have use in several neurological degeneration disorders but these remain inclusive.
Hepatocytes of rtreated elderly rats were more similar to those of young control rats than to controls of their own age in terms of significantly lower oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential. I also reversed age related declines in hepatocyte ascorbic acid abd glutathione levels. Further study is needed.
It should not be used if pregnant or nursing due to there still not being much study into the compound. It may lower blood glucose levels (which may help account for the insulinoma diagnosis you have received.) It is advised that those humans taking it should monitor their glucose regularly.
>From _Herb-Drug Interaction Handbook_ (again a human text as all three used here are):
Milk Thistle: This herb may reduce liver damage from a variety of drugs.
It has hypoglycemis effects (which may further play into the insulinoma diagnosis).
>From _PDR for Herbal Medications_:
Milk Thistle: This herb contains multiple active components. Silymarin localized in the seed case. Otherwise: flavonoids, steroids, polynes, and organic acids. The hepatoprotective effects are from silymarin compounds which seem to inhibit the binding of toxins nad decrease the production of several products of Kuppfer cells while increasing glutathione production by the liver, intestins and stomach.
They also have some antiinflammatory effects, and are under study in relation help for kidney prtection when certain medications are used.
Complaints include dyspeptic complaints and liver and gallbladder complaints.
There was a compound used in Autralia that produced bad symptoms but these were found to be caused by a different substance in teh prepartion.
Drus interactions to avoid: silymarin in other meds, butyrophenones, phenothiazines, yohimbine, phentolamine.
I don't have a standard -PDR_, yet; hope to treat myself to one in the future.