Download Spleen Therapy in Practice

Spleen Therapy in Practice
(Information published by the German Society for Thymus Therapy)
store in the circulatory system. In stress reactions due,
for example, to illness, work or worry, it releases more blood
into the body. We now know that the spleen is also
responsible for important functions in the body’s immune
system. Whereas immature T lymphocytes from the bone
marrow are matured into helper, suppressor and killer cells
in the thymus, cell training in the spleen is directed more
towards B lymphocytes and antibodies. The T lymphocytes
pass on their information to B cells and mark them out for
specific defence purposes. The B cells are then distributed
within the body and settle in the wall of the gut, the lungs,
lymph nodes and particularly in the bone marrow.
Lymphocytes reacting to certain antigens (memory cells) are
presumably distributed throughout the body and with them
goes important defence information.
The spleen
The spleen is enveloped by a capsule and by the peritoneum
and lies between the stomach and diaphragm below the left
costal arch. It is shaped like a bean, is about 10 cm long and
weighs about 150 to 200 grams. In infants it is involved in
the construction of important cells. The older the individual,
the less important the spleen becomes. At least, this was
the received wisdom for a long time. The spleen was thought
to have no function in later years and appeared not be vital
for daily life. Therefore, in the event of injury due to an
accident, for example, it was generally removed without
further ado. In Germany approx. 10,000 spleens are removed
every year and in about half of these cases the organ is
healthy. It presents an obstacle to a surgical procedure or is
damaged accidentally. There is almost no other human organ
that is removed so often without being diseased in itself.
In addition, the spleen is involved in the breakdown of defence
cells that are no longer intact. It removes used red blood
cells from the bloodstream and arranges their destruction.
Life without a spleen?
In the spleen of a healthy young adult there are about 70
times 109 lymphocytes. This is equivalent to about 15 % of
all lymphocytes. Of these, about 55 % are B lymphocytes
and 40 % T lymphocytes. The balanced distribution of the T
cell subgroups is particularly important. If their ratio is
disrupted, pathological processes can develop. In some
diseases, such as Hodgkin’s disease and particularly AIDS,
shifts are seen in the proportion of T helper and T suppressor
cells.
In fact, the consequences of removing the spleen can be
considerable, as we are now aware. Even years later
sometimes serious sequelae can develop. These include:
- the absence of the spleen as a mechanical blood filter
- reduction in the IgM level (antibodies) to 60% of the
normal value
- reduction in IgG production (antibodies)
- reduction in T lymphocytes in the peripheral circulation
- differentiation defects in B lymphocytes
- disruptions to activation of the alternative complement
system
- impairment of the phagocytic characteristics of
macrophages and granulocytes as an important
component of antibacterial defence.
Summary:
The spleen undertakes important immune functions in the
human organism. Its defensive reaction to microbial
pathogens is particularly important in young children and the
elderly and in chronically ill immunocompromised patients.
After removal of the spleen, episodes of infection occur very
often and even after a very long time. In particular, there is a
risk of pneumonia, non-specific gastroenteritis, urinary tract
infections and a frequent incidence of herpes infections,
hepatitis and malaria. Attempts are therefore now being made
to preserve the spleen by various surgical techniques.
How do spleen peptides work?
Spleen peptides (splenins) have a number of synergistic and
also some antagonistic effects in relation to the thymic
hormones contained in the thymus gland. Spleen peptides
have similarities particularly to alpha-1 thymosins, although
their function differs in that they inhibit excessive
(autoimmunologically aggressive) reactions. Spleen peptides
have a number of effects on the body. They improve the
supply of oxygen to the cells, for example. Spleen therapy
can increase this supply by up to 200 %. As a result an
increase in the strength of the defences can be expected
and the lymphatic system also receives considerable
stimulation. This in turn is important for detoxification of the
body, e.g. particularly when fighting cancer cells. Spleen
peptides also activate and stabilise numerous psycho-neuro-
Active splenic substances in the immune
response
Major developments have been seen in immunology in the
last twenty years. Increasing knowledge of the complicated
and complex defence functions have highlighted the
importance of organs previously thought to be superfluous.
These include the actual functions of the thymus as well as
those of the spleen. Both have attracted greater medical
attention. It was already known that the spleen acts as a
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endocrine regulatory mechanisms. They show molecular
similarities to neuropeptides and, like them, act on a wide
variety of metabolic areas via hormones and cell messengers.
This harmonises and regulates the psycho-neuro-endocrine
and defence-regulating functions.
Improvement of T and
B lymphocyte
immune balance
Hormone regulation
Improved performance
Pituitary
More rapid substrate
conversion (glucose-cATP)
Neuropeptides
Improvement of energy
metabolism
Effect on hypothalamus
Activation of
oxygen utilisation
Hormone system
Hormone system
Colony stimulation in the
bone marrow
combination with vitamin D, calcium and fluoride are still
undergoing research.
Benefits to mental health
Spleen peptides have a positive effect on depressive mood
and reduced vitality. Moods lighten after administration of
splenin, subjectively vitality increases. This is particularly the
case at the time of both the male and female menopause.
Stimulation of sex hormones
Spleen peptides can have an effect on hypogonadism in
childhood and even on anorexia nervosa in young girls and
women. Extreme loss of appetite is reduced and the mood
often shows pronounced lightening. Spleen peptides also
have a positive effect on symptoms at and after the female
menopause, e.g. on hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations,
sleep disorders, depression, irritability and loss of drive.
Disorders due to incipient or advanced ovarian insufficiency
can be reduced with spleen peptides – without oestrogens –
making an alternative treatment available. There may be
potential effects on frigidity.
Activation of phagocytosis
Immune response
Similar effects can be seen in the male menopause. A
favourable effect can be achieved with spleen peptides on
male impotence with disorders of erection phases and
duration. The same applies to psychosomatic disorders of
sexual function.
Splenins
Figure 1 – The action of spleen peptides on the organism
Treatments with splenins have gone beyond the experimental
stage. They are increasingly being used successfully by
therapists in practice. Spleen peptides can be used in a variety
of conditions. They are indicated in defective or decreasing
function of psycho-neuro-endocrine immunological
regulation, but particularly in diseases of old age, menopausal
symptoms, allergy and atopy and in autoaggressive
conditions. Research, as well as practical therapeutic
experience, also shows that the regular use of spleen
peptides assumes the regulatory action on body functions in
numerous disorders. A very important concomitant effect of
spleen therapy is that it is often possible, as a result of giving
spleen peptides, to reduce considerably the doses of other
forms of treatment and drugs that have more severe side
effects.
Limbic system
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Direct effects
Spleen
Epidermis, keratin system +
Langerhans cells
Thyroid gland +
Possible uses of spleen peptides
Pancreas
Islet cell activation
Bone marrow
colony stimulation
To assist with age-related symptoms
Spleen peptides in long term treatment improve the general
quality of life in many geriatric dysfunctions. They have a
positive effect, for example, on appetite and quality of sleep
and promote mental and intellectual activity.
Adrenal cortex
Cortisone +
Promotion of endocrine and metabolic functions
Promotion of bone growth
Gonads, follicular hormone +
Testosterone etc. +
Spleen peptides, when used systematically in long term
treatment and supported by dietary measures, improve lipid
and HDL levels in the blood. Even circulatory disorders can
be positively affected, for example conditions involving
chronically cold extremities and the tendency to perspire. In
the long term, favourable effects on arteriosclerotic processes
can be expected. Promotion of bone growth in
Figure 2 – The effects of spleen peptides on the endocrine system
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Effects on allergies, atopy, autoaggressive conditions
Publications on regulating effects of spleen peptides in
allergies (pollinosis, asthma, eczema and neurodermatitis,
food allergies with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms) and
in rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, Bekhterev’s
disease, connective tissue disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s
disease and practical experience suggest that spleen therapy
can be used in these conditions.
With regular administration of spleen peptide injections the
doses of cortisones and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs can often be reduced more quickly. This is highly
significant for the management of patients and their quality
of life.
weakness of body functions. Good results are achieved in
endocrine and metabolic disorders associated with immune
deficiency. Treatment must be intensified for use in breaks
between sessions of chemotherapy.
The GSTT* combination regime for spleen +
thymus therapy
Mon
Treatment recommendations
Spleen peptides should if possible be given as long term
therapy. Only in this way can the effects be achieved and
maintained over a long period. After an intensive initial course
of 20 injections over 6 weeks, booster intervals are fixed
depending on the patient’s condition (see treatment regime).
The GSTT* regime for spleen peptide treatment
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Week 1
Week 2
M
M
T
T
M
M
T
T
Week 3
Week 4
M
M
T
T
M
M
T
T
Week 5
Week 6
M
M
T
T
M
M
T
T
Week 7
Week 8
M
M
T
T
M
M
T
T
Week 9
Week10
M
M
T
T
M
M
T
T
*GSTT = German Society for Thymus Therapy
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Week 1
Week 2
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M/T = 20 spleen and 20 thymic peptide injections in 10 weeks,
followed by a booster twice or once a week, depending on
the status of the illness.
Week 3
Week 4
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Combination with other forms of treatment
Week 5
Week 6
M
M
M
M
*GSTT = German Society for Thymus Therapy
M = injection of 5 ml spleen peptides, total of 20 spleen
peptide injections in 6 weeks, followed by transition to 1
injection per week every 14 days or once a month, depending
on the status of the illness. Booster injections every 2 weeks
have proved successful in chronic and geriatric conditions.
The basic regime can be intensified in severe illness or
extended for general preventive purposes.
Synergetic effects of thymic and spleen peptides
The combination of thymic peptides (thymosin) and spleen
peptides (splenin) is useful in general immune deficiencies
and reduced resistance. While thymic peptides regulate T
lymphocytes and recruit new T cells from the bone marrow,
spleen peptides have a greater influence on the B lymphocytic
defences. These limit the overproduction of immunoglobulins.
Indications for combined thymus and spleen
therapy
There are no restrictions with regard to other conventional
drugs or treatment methods. Additional measures in the form
of comprehensive order therapy are recommended. These
include mental and physical activities and relaxation, heat/
cold therapy, whole food diet (possibly with supplements of
vitamins A, C, E, liver enzymes and calcium, magnesium,
zinc, selenium etc.), multistage oxygen therapy or intravenous
oxygen administration, neural therapy, etc.
Contraindications
Gynaecological and androgenic tumours should not be
treated with splenin. In pregnant women caution is
appropriate, as spleen peptides act on the hormonal system.
In some diseases the dosage of other drugs can be reduced
in the course of spleen therapy. In diabetics the blood sugar
level should be monitored to recognise possible reductions
of insulin etc. in good time. The same applies to patients
with a tendency to overactive thyroid or goitre. Doses of
thyrostatic agents or thyroid hormones may possibly need to
be reduced. Patients receiving cortisone or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs can gradually be placed on lower doses.
For patients being treated for gout, uric acid values should
be monitored.
Combinations of the two extracts are desirable in cases of
increased susceptibility to infections with age-related general
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Unwanted effects
Publishers
As with all medicines, hypersensitivity reactions can occur
in predisposed individuals. They are almost never seen in
patients receiving intramuscular injection of spleen peptides.
However, to rule out the possibility of such a situation, a
preliminary test should be performed with 0.1 ml spleen
peptides before starting the course of injections.
Hypersensitivity may be prevented with H1 blockers such as
Lisino (loratadine) or after the event (e.g. urticaria) respond
well to treatment, for example with Tagamet (cimetidine) or
Teldane (terfenadine). As a safety precaution, intravenous
cortisone preparations should be kept to hand (e.g. Urbason
solubile (methylprednisolone) and Volon (triamcinolone) for
injection).
German Society for Thymus Therapy
Harvestehuder Weg 65
20149 Hamburg
Germany
Tel.: +49-(0) 1805 - THYMUS ( 849 687 )
E-mail: [email protected]
Homepage: www.thymus-therapie.org
References
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E. von Herrath, Bau und Funktion der normalen Milz.
De Gruyter, Berlin 1958
A. Hittmair, Normale und pathologische Milzfunktionen, Bibl. Haemat. 3, 1-3, S. Karger, Basel/
New York 1955
U. J. Jovanovic, Über die Wirksamkeit eines
Milzdialysates (M40, 4123) bei Potenzstörungen. In:
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 26, p. 457-462 (1976)
G. Kellner, Die Blut- und Lymphwege der menschlichen Milz. In: Wiener Klin. Wschr. 75, p. 616-620
(1963)
Ch. Lauritzen, Kalbsmilz gegen Beschwerden der
Wechseljahre; eine Diskussion. In: Zschr. gyne., P.
246 (1985)
H. Porcher, Theurer, K., Organo- und Immuntherapie. Neue Perspektiven in der Medizin. F. Enke
Verlag, Stuttgart 1979
F. Sauerbruch et al., Über Beziehungen zwischen
Milz- und Hypophysenvorderlappen. Klin. Wschr., p.
1268-1270 (1937).
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