Cartilage de requin

Related Terms

AE-941, Arthrovas?, BeneFin?, calcium, calcium salts, cartilage, cartilage-derived inhibitor, cart?lago de tibur?n (Spanish), CDI, Cephaloscyllium ventriosum, chondroitin-6-sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate-D, chondrosine, collagenase, copper, galactosamines, glucosamine, glycosaminoglycans, Haifischknorpel (German), Houtsmuller diet, iron, keratan sulfate, manganese, matrix Gla protein, MIA Shark Powder?, molybdenum, Mustelus californicus, Neoretna?, Neovastat?, Novastal?, octasaccharides, polar shark cartilage, proteoglycans, PsovascarT, selenium, shark, shark fin soup, Sharkilage?, smooth-hound shark, Sphyrna lewini (hammerhead shark), sphyrnastatin-1, squalamine, Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish shark), strontium, swell shark, tetranectin-type protein, trimethylamine N-oxide, troponin-I, U-955, zinc.
Note: The product Catrix? is made from cow cartilage, not from shark cartilage.

Background

Shark cartilage is one of the most popular supplements in the United States, with over 40 brand name products sold in 1995 alone. Primarily used for cancer, its use became popular in the 1980s after several poor-quality studies reported "miracle" cancer cures.
Research on the shark cartilage derivative product AE-941 has renewed interest in shark cartilage for cancer, eye disorders, skin disorders, and a range of inflammatory disorders. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend for or against shark cartilage for any indication. AE-941 is marketed under different names for different conditions: Neovastat? is used for cancer, PsovascarT is used for skin conditions, Neoretna? is used for eye conditions, and Arthrovas? is used for joint conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted orphan drug status to this agent in 2002.
Commercial shark cartilage is primarily composed of chondroitin sulfate (a type of glycosaminoglycan), which is further broken down in the body into glucosamine and other end products. Although chondroitin and glucosamine have been extensively studied for arthritis, there is a lack of evidence supporting the use of unprocessed shark cartilage preparations for this condition. Shark cartilage also contains calcium. Manufacturers sometimes promote its use for calcium supplementation.
Shark cartilage supplements at common doses can cost as much as $700-1,000 per month.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Derivatives of shark cartilage, such as AE-941, have been shown to reduce inflammatory responses. It has been proposed that shark cartilage, as an agent that blocks new blood vessel growth, may have potency against inflammatory conditions. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, components of shark cartilage, may be too low in shark cartilage preparations for clinical benefit. There is insufficient data on the use of shark cartilage for inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis.

 C


Derivatives of shark cartilage, such as AE-941, have been shown to reduce inflammatory responses. It has been proposed that shark cartilage, as an agent that blocks new blood vessel growth, may have potency against inflammatory conditions. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate, components of shark cartilage, may be too low in shark cartilage preparations for clinical benefit. There is insufficient data on the use of shark cartilage for inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis.

 C


Early evidence suggests that shark cartilage may improve or stabilize vision in people with an eye disease that leads to loss of vision. Well-designed studies are required.

C


Early evidence suggests that shark cartilage may improve or stabilize vision in people with an eye disease that leads to loss of vision. Well-designed studies are required.

C


There is insufficient research on the use of shark cartilage as a pain relieving agent. Although not well studied in humans, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of shark cartilage have been demonstrated.

 C


There is insufficient research on the use of shark cartilage as a pain relieving agent. Although not well studied in humans, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of shark cartilage have been demonstrated.

 C


There is insufficient data on the use of shark cartilage in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. The application of a shark cartilage preparation (Neovastat?) resulted in the reduction of skin irritation on the forearms of people. Several studies have been undertaken in people with skin conditions. Although promising, larger studies for this indication are needed.

 C


There is insufficient data on the use of shark cartilage in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions. The application of a shark cartilage preparation (Neovastat?) resulted in the reduction of skin irritation on the forearms of people. Several studies have been undertaken in people with skin conditions. Although promising, larger studies for this indication are needed.

 C


Promotion of new blood vessels is necessary for tumors to grow and spread. Enthusiasm about shark cartilage has stemmed from evidence of its properties that block new blood vessel growth and from several poor-quality studies of people with numerous types of cancer. However, several studies of shark cartilage lacked evidence of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In the United States, shark cartilage products cannot claim to cure cancer, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to companies not to promote products in this way. Without further evidence from well-designed human trials, it remains unclear if shark cartilage is of any benefit in cancer.

 D


Promotion of new blood vessels is necessary for tumors to grow and spread. Enthusiasm about shark cartilage has stemmed from evidence of its properties that block new blood vessel growth and from several poor-quality studies of people with numerous types of cancer. However, several studies of shark cartilage lacked evidence of benefit in the treatment of cancer. In the United States, shark cartilage products cannot claim to cure cancer, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to companies not to promote products in this way. Without further evidence from well-designed human trials, it remains unclear if shark cartilage is of any benefit in cancer.

 D
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
Note: To maximize the absorption of doses taken by mouth, shark cartilage should be taken on an empty stomach. Acidic fruit juices (apple, grape, orange, tomato, cranberry) should be avoided for 15-30 minutes before and after dosing.
For arthritis, 0.2-2 grams per kilogram have been taken by mouth daily in 2-3 divided doses.
For cancer, 80-100 grams or 1-1.3 grams per kilogram of shark cartilage extract have been taken by mouth daily in 2-4 divided doses. Doses of AE-941 (Neovastat?) have been taken by mouth and ranged from 30-240 milliliters daily, 20 milligrams per kilogram twice daily, or 120 mililiters twice daily at the start of chemo-radiotherapy during human trials. Shark cartilage (as Benefin? powder mixture mixed in a chilled drink a half hour before meals) has been taken by mouth in 3-4 divided doses daily starting at 24g daily and titrated upwards to 96g daily for a duration ranging from more than one month to beyond three months. Doses of 15 grams or 0.5-1 grams per kilogram of shark cartilage daily has been prepared as an enema in 2-3 divided doses.
Doses of 0.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, taken by mouth in two to three divided doses, have been studied.
For Kaposi's sarcoma, 100 grams of shark cartilage has been taken by mouth daily. Two daily divided doses of 3,750 milligrams of shark cartilage has been taken by mouth and increased after three months to 4,500 milligrams in three daily divided doses.
For skin inflammatory conditions, doses of 0.4-0.5 grams per kilogram of shark cartilage have been taken by mouth daily for four weeks. When skin irritation improved, people reduced dosages to 0.2-0.3 grams per kilogram of shark cartilage taken by mouth daily for an additional four weeks. Creams applied to the skin with 5-30% shark cartilage are available and have been recommended by some practitioners for the treatment of skin inflammatory conditions alone or with shark cartilage taken by mouth for 4-6 weeks. Studies have used 5-10% preparations applied to the skin daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Shark cartilage may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also alter blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Shark cartilage may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking agents that lower blood pressure
Shark cartilage may also interact with agents for arthritis, agents for the blood, agents for the heart, agents for the kidneys, agents for the stomach and intestines, agents that alter the immune system, agents that block new blood vessel growth, agents toxic to the liver, anesthetics, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatories, cisplatin, diuretics, heart rate regulating agents, interferons (? and ?), pain relievers, thalidomide, and thiazide.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Leitner SP, Rothkopf MM, Haverstick DD, et al. Two phase II studies of oral dry shark cartilage powder (SCP) in patients with either metastatic breast or prostate cancer refractory to standard treatment. Amer Soc Clin Oncol 1998;17:A240.
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