Some Biological Actions of Alkylglycerols from Shark Liver Oil

Abstract

Shark liver oil has been used for over 40 years as both a therapeutic and preventive agent. The active ingredients in shark liver oil have been found to be a group of ether-linked glycerols known as alkylglycerols. Initial clinical use was for treating leukemias, and later to prevent radiation sickness from cancer x-ray therapy. Studies over the last 30 years have shown that alkylglycerols are multifunctional. The level of natural alkylglycerols rises within tumor cells, apparently in an effort to control cell growth. Recent studies indicate that the activation of protein kinase C, an essential step in cell proliferation, can be inhibited by alkylglycerols. This action suggests a competitive inhibition of 1.2-diacylglycerol by alkylglycerols. Further studies on the immunostimulatory action of alkylglycerols suggest a primary action on the macrophage. The process of macrophage activation has been demonstrated with both synthetic and natural alkylglycerols. While the exact mechanism has not been found, both an autocrine and paracrine system have been suggested. Shark liver is a major natural source of alkylglycerols, which have no known side effects in dosages of 100 mg three times a day. The information presented in this article suggests that alkylglycerols may be used both as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of neoplastic disorders and as an immune booster in infectious diseases.

A kinetic study of the lipase-catalyzed ethanolysis of two short-chain triradylglycerols: Alkylglycerols vs. triacylglycerols

“…Alkylglycerols, alkylglycerophospholipids and their derivatives, commonly known as ether lipids, have been the subject of much attention because of their special physiological functions in humans [1,2]. Ether lipids have been used in the therapy of cancer [3], since they are potent antineoplastic agents which inhibit growth, show antimetastatic activity and induce differentiation and apoptosis in cancer cells [4,5].…”

Characterization of sn-2 Alk-1'-Enyl Ethers of Glycerol from Rice Bran Oil

“…It has specifi c function in the cholesterol transport pathways. It reduces radiation damage, suppress tumor growth, increase haemopoesis, accelerate wound healing, prevent cataract etc 7 . It is found to be a major constituent of synaptic vesicle membranes, in alveolar surfactants, indicating involvement in endogenous antioxidant capacity it is used in human medicines 3,7 .…”

“…It reduces radiation damage, suppress tumor growth, increase haemopoesis, accelerate wound healing, prevent cataract etc 7 . It is found to be a major constituent of synaptic vesicle membranes, in alveolar surfactants, indicating involvement in endogenous antioxidant capacity it is used in human medicines 3,7 . It has been reported that dietary intake of ether glycerolipids helps in the synthesize of membrane plasmalogen in most tissues and there by increase the biological functions 9 .…”

Effect of chronic supplementation with shark liver oil on immune responses of exercise-trained rats

“…Shark liver oil (SLO) has been traditionally used in Scandinavian medicine for the treatment of general debility and several other specific applications such as wound healing and the treatment of the respiratory and alimentary tracts (Pugliese et al 1998;Krotkiewski et al 2003). SLO is a rich source of a group of ether-linked glycerols known as alkylglycerols, which are found to a lesser extent in haematopoietic organs (e.g., bone marrow, spleen, liver), lymphatic tissues, blood and maternal milk (Hallgren and Larsson 1962).…”