Liver extract

Related Terms

Alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes, aqueous liver, bovine liver extract, crude liver extract, cyanocobalamin, hydrolyzed liver extract, hydroxocobalamin, iron, LEx, liquid liver extract, liver, liver concentrate, liver extract lysate, liver factors, liver fractions, liver glandular products, liver hydrolysate, liver substance, purified liver extract, raw liver, Solcohepsyl?, Solcohepsyl? extralysate, subcellular liver fractions, vitamin B12.
Note: Although liver extract contains many constituents, such as vitamin B12, this monograph focuses on liver extract research.

Background

Liver extract and desiccated (dried) liver have been marketed as iron supplements for over a century. The extract is processed cow or pig liver that may either be a freeze-dried brownish powder or a concentrated liquid that has had most of the fat and cholesterol removed.
Preliminary clinical studies indicate that liver extract may be helpful in treating hepatic (liver) dysfunction. In addition, liver extract seems to work synergistically with interferon in treating hepatitis C and other viral infections. More research is needed in these areas.
Laboratory studies indicate that liver extract may have some effects that could be useful in treating certain forms of cancer, such as the ability to direct migration of metastasizing cells and the inhibition of DNA, RNA, and protein formation. More research is needed in these areas to quantify liver extract's properties.
Some concern has been raised about the safety of liver extract, as it is made of animal liver, which may be infected with parasites, bacteria, or prion diseases. Although there are currently no available reports of diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE, or "mad cow disease") being transmitted by liver extract, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) still cautions against the use of any animal organ extract. It is not clear how the processing of liver extract affects the transmission of these organisms.

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 *


Ingestion of liver increases red blood cell counts, and liver extract (by mouth or by injection) has the same effect. Both liver and liver extract have high vitamin B12 content. Today, pernicious anemia is typically treated with vitamin B12 injections.
 A


Ingestion of liver increases red blood cell counts, and liver extract (by mouth or by injection) has the same effect. Both liver and liver extract have high vitamin B12 content. Today, pernicious anemia is typically treated with vitamin B12 injections.
 A


An injectable solution of bovine liver extract containing folic acid and cyanocobalamin has been an advocated treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Preliminary study indicates that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome positively reacted to intramuscular bovine liver extract. Additional study is needed to make a firm recommendation.
 C


An injectable solution of bovine liver extract containing folic acid and cyanocobalamin has been an advocated treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Preliminary study indicates that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome positively reacted to intramuscular bovine liver extract. Additional study is needed to make a firm recommendation.
 C


Hepatitis impairs liver function; liver extract has shown liver stimulatory and protective effects. The combination of liver extract and interferon may increase patients' response to interferon therapy alone. However, additional study is needed.
 C


Hepatitis impairs liver function; liver extract has shown liver stimulatory and protective effects. The combination of liver extract and interferon may increase patients' response to interferon therapy alone. However, additional study is needed.
 C


Liver extract seems to stimulate liver function. In two studies, liver extract increased the liver function of patients with impaired liver function. More research is needed to compare liver extract to other hepatostimulatory treatments.
 C


Liver extract seems to stimulate liver function. In two studies, liver extract increased the liver function of patients with impaired liver function. More research is needed to compare liver extract to other hepatostimulatory treatments.
 C
Liver extract may help maintain liver function during urological surgery. More research is needed to define the importance of this normalization of liver function.
 C
Liver extract may help maintain liver function during urological surgery. More research is needed to define the importance of this normalization of liver function.
 C
* 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 (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for liver extract. A dose that has been used is 500 milligrams of liver extract 1-3 times per day. As an injection, 2 milliliters of liver extract has been administered daily for up to five days, although injections should only be given under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist.

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
Liver extract may increase gastric acid and pepsin outputs. Study results are unclear and caution is advised.
Liver extract may affect blood clotting and may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Liver extract may improve plasma cholesterol levels in patients with impaired hepatic function. Patients taking any cholesterol-lowering medications should use cautiously, as dosing adjustments may be necessary.
Liver extract may reversibly inhibit thymidine and uridine incorporation into DNA and RNA during cell growth and dose-dependently catalyze the removal of O6-methylguanine.
Liver extract may tend to normalize the metabolic clearance rate of human growth hormone in hepatopathic patients. Caution is advised in patients taking human growth hormones. Monitoring may be necessary.
Liver extract inhibits lymphocyte proliferation. Caution is advised when combining liver extract with immunomodulating drugs.
Liver extract may increase the antiviral activity of interferon. It may also inhibit herpes simplex virus type-1 and influenza virus type A when used in combination with other antiviral agents.
Liver extract may have a high content of heme iron and antioxidant superoxide dismutase.

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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Dahm, K. [Severe anaphylactic shock in liver hydrolysate therapy]. Med.Klin. 9-29-1967;62(39):1510-1511.
Ebinuma, H., Saito, H., Tada, S., Masuda, T., Kamiya, T., Nishida, J., Yoshioka, M., and Ishii, H. Additive therapeutic effects of the liver extract preparation mixture adelavin-9 on interferon-beta treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Hepatogastroenterology 2004;51(58):1109-1114.
Fichtelius, K. E. and Kullgren, B. Cell dispersing liver extract influencing blood clotting. Nature 1-8-1966;209(19):167-169.
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Kaslow, J. E., Rucker, L., and Onishi, R. Liver extract-folic acid-cyanocobalamin vs placebo for chronic fatigue syndrome. Arch.Intern.Med. 1989;149(11):2501-2503.
Kondoh, K., Imaide, Y., Uchida, M., and Watanabe, H. [Effect of the administration of liver extract after surgical operations in urology]. Hinyokika Kiyo 1986;32(1):163-167.
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Saito, H., Ebinuma, H., Tada, S., Tsunematsu, S., Atsukawa, K., Masuda, T., Tsuchiya, M., and Ishii, H. Enhancing effect of the liver extract and flavin adenin dinucleotide mixture on anti-viral efficacy of interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Keio J.Med. 1996;45(1):48-53.
Soonattrakul, W., Andersen, B. R., and Bryner, J. H. Raw liver as a possible source of Vibrio fetus septicemia in man. Am.J.Med.Sci. 1971;261(5):245-249.
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