Re: Liv.52 natural supplement preventing liver cirrhosis

[Guest guest]

If I were you, I would be very cautious about taking this product.

Certainly you should discuss it with your hepatologist first. One of

the leading U.S. researchers on PSC, Dr. Lindor, does not

recommend taking such herbal supplements, and notes that LIV.52 has

been withdrawn from the market because of deleterious effects in

patients with liver disease:

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004 Nov;2(11):947-56.

Use of herbal supplements for chronic liver disease.

Levy C, Seeff LD, Lindor KD.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester,

Minnesota 55905, USA.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is

becoming popular among patients with liver disease. Although there is a

growing body of evidence regarding potential mechanisms of action of

these and other herbs, caution must be used to interpret the results of

the few clinical trials available. Our goal was to discuss the biologic

rationale for the use of specific herbs (silymarin, glycyrrhizin, sho-

saiko-to, Phyllanthus amarus , Picrorrhiza kurroa , Compound 861, CH-

100, and LIV.52) in the treatment of chronic liver diseases, as well as

the evidence for their efficacy and adverse effects according to

clinical trials. METHODS: Because of the relative paucity of clinical

studies using herbs, every trial published in English was reviewed.

RESULTS: Although many trials suggest that these herbs can decrease

serum transaminase levels, the effects on hepatic histopathology and

long-term survival are either poorly studied or conflicting. LIV.52 has

been withdrawn from the market because of deleterious effects in

patients with liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence, we

cannot recommend the use of herbal supplements for the routine

treatment of any chronic liver disease and further well-designed

clinical trials are necessary. PMID: 15551246

Best regards,

Dave

(father of (20); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the heads up.

How about milk thistle?

> If I were you, I would be very cautious about taking this product.

> Certainly you should discuss it with your hepatologist first. One of

> the leading U.S. researchers on PSC, Dr. Lindor, does not

> recommend taking such herbal supplements, and notes that LIV.52 has

> been withdrawn from the market because of deleterious effects in

> patients with liver disease:

>

> Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004 Nov;2(11):947-56.

>

> Use of herbal supplements for chronic liver disease.

>

> Levy C, Seeff LD, Lindor KD.

>

> Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic Rochester,

> Minnesota 55905, USA.

>

> BACKGROUND & AIMS: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is

> becoming popular among patients with liver disease. Although there is a

> growing body of evidence regarding potential mechanisms of action of

> these and other herbs, caution must be used to interpret the results of

> the few clinical trials available. Our goal was to discuss the biologic

> rationale for the use of specific herbs (silymarin, glycyrrhizin, sho-

> saiko-to, Phyllanthus amarus , Picrorrhiza kurroa , Compound 861, CH-

> 100, and LIV.52) in the treatment of chronic liver diseases, as well as

> the evidence for their efficacy and adverse effects according to

> clinical trials. METHODS: Because of the relative paucity of clinical

> studies using herbs, every trial published in English was reviewed.

> RESULTS: Although many trials suggest that these herbs can decrease

> serum transaminase levels, the effects on hepatic histopathology and

> long-term survival are either poorly studied or conflicting. LIV.52 has

> been withdrawn from the market because of deleterious effects in

> patients with liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence, we

> cannot recommend the use of herbal supplements for the routine

> treatment of any chronic liver disease and further well-designed

> clinical trials are necessary. PMID: 15551246

>

> Best regards,

>

> Dave

> (father of (20); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)

[Guest guest]

For a comprehensive review on milk thistle, you might take a look at

this article:

Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 21

Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical

Adverse Effects

http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/milktsum.htm

Best regards,

Dave R.

> Thanks for the heads up.

>

> How about milk thistle?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ;

I tried to do a little more research for you on Liv.52, and came up

with this article from the Hepatitis C Information Center:

http://hepatitis-central.com/hcv/herbs/products/challenge.html

Hepatology, October 1999, p. 1099-1104, Vol. 30, No. 4

HEPATOLOGY Clinical Challenge

Herbal Products for Liver Diseases:

A Therapeutic Challenge for the New Millennium

Detlef Schuppan, Ji-Dong Jia,Benno Brinkhaus, and Eckhart G. Hahn

This article explains why Liv.52 was withdrawn from one trial:

" LIV.52. An extract of several plants prepared for ayurvedic medicine

has been marketed in the West as LIV.52. Standardization, chemical

characterization, functional, and pharmacological studies are not

well documented. The extract was reported to improve serum

biochemistry values in rats with toxic liver damage,75 and

uncontrolled observations in patients with liver disease seemingly

gave similar results.76 Furthermore, it lowered circulating levels of

acetaldehyde in healthy adults consuming alcohol.77 Therefore, Fleig

et al.78 performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, 2-year clinical

trial in 188 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. LIV.52 did not

affect the survival rate of Child class A and B patients but

increased mortality among the 59 Child class C patients (81% in the

treated group, compared with 40% in the placebo group). Twenty-two of

23 deaths in the LIV.52 group were related to bleeding or liver

disease compared with only 3 of 11 deaths in the placebo group. This

result led to immediate withdrawal of the drug. It highlights the

danger of ill-defined herbal preparations and the necessity for in-

depth preclinical testing. "

However, I havn't been able to find any information on withdrawal of

the supplement from the MARKET. The supplement is clearly still being

sold. You've probably seen the Yahoo sponsored link at the bottom of

the Message Board page regarding Liv.52/LiverCare:

" Liver Disease? - What can you do about liver diseases? Read about

Livecare supplement validated by 278 clinical trials and endorsed by

over 200,000 healthcare professionals worldwide. "

Best regards,

Dave

(father of (20); PSC 07/03; UC 08/03)