April 27, 2000
Purpose of Study: To determine the effectiveness
of natural products in increasing the function of
Natural Killer (NK) cell activity in chronic illnesses.
In this study persons suffering from Fibromyalgia
were chosen to take part in an in vivo study.
Background: It is felt that chronic illnesses represent
immune system failures in most instances, particularly
in the Fibromyalgia Syndrome. There have been many
published reports of low Natural Killer cell activity or
function in persons with Fibromyalgia.
Natural Killer Cells: Natural Killer cells are the
first
line of defense in our innate immune systems. They are
lethal lymphocytes containing granules filled with potent
chemicals. They do not need to recognize a particular
antigen but rather attack "nonself". NK cells protect
against and target tumor cells and a wide variety of
infectious microbes, particularly virally infected cells.
NK cells kill by binding to their targets and delivering
a lethal burst of chemicals that produce holes in the
target cell's membrane. Fluids seep in and leak out and
the cells burst and die.
Patient Selection: Nine patients were enrolled in the
study who had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and
who weren't taking any known immune stimulants at the
time of enrollment.
Name: Transfer Factor Plus™ Dosage: One, twice daily, days 1-10. Two, twice daily, days 11-20.
Length of Study: Blood work
was drawn on day 1 before
the beginning of the use of the products and on day 21 after
using the products for 20 consecutive days.
Methodology: The patient's blood was drawn and peripheral
blood mononuclear cells were isolated and NK cell activity was
assessed by a variation of the 51Cr release assay. The target
cells were live K562 erytholeukemic cells. NK cytolytic activity
was calculated at the baseline of day 1 and on the 21st day.
Comment: If a person has a Natural Killer cell activity
below
20%, he or she is more susceptible to acute or chronic illnesses,
or to have a compromised ability to recover from existing illnesses.
All of the nine volunteers had NK cell function of less than 20%
activity with a range of 6 to 13%, and an average of the group of
10% activity.
Summary: All of the nine patients had significant
increases in Natural Killer cell activity. The levels after 20 days
on the products now ranged from 19.5% to 35.5% with an
average of 26.9%. This represented an NK cell activity which
is 269% of the zero baseline level or a 169% increase in individual
NK activity. Prior in vitro testing of Transfer Factor Plus revealed
an increase in activity of 248%. This in vivo testing confirms and
validates the in vitro testing done earlier by an independent laboratory
analysis of Transfer Factor Plus.
