"Harmless glyco-protein" is not a good sign in terms of nomenclature. I would have to imagine from the name that this is a cytokine, hormone, or prostaglandin; the fact that they don't call it by the proper name already makes me skeptical. Still, if it pans out that would be pretty amazing.
If there is something to this stuff, I wonder what it would imply for D3 supplementation in cancer.
Sounds like it's a form of vitamin D binding protein that has had its attached sugar groups modified by specific glycosidic enzymes. I was wondering about D3 supplementation myself. I could only speculate about a connection, like more d3 = more d3bp, but that is pure speculation.
First of all, if you read his work carefully, you will notice that his patients did not present METASTATIC disease OR any tumors. They possessed "circulating tumor cells" and had levels of nagalase found in their blood.. His treatment sounds more like it can be used for turning remissions into full cures, although a few animal models did present complete tumor regressions at "higher doses". However, after reading about the behavior of macrophage production increase, increased ingestion rates and general phagocytic activity, it sounds like it may be the key.
Second point, when reading his work in detail, it seems that Vitamin D binding protein, or as as Yamamoto refers to it as "Gc-Protein" is the precursor to the actual macrophage activating factor (MAF). He states that when the 2 sugars galactose and sialic acid are cleaved off by primed T&B cells using the enzymes galactosidase and sialidase, yielding the exposed protein with N-acetylgalactosamine as the only remaining SUGAR, which also possesses a threonine component with other protein residues, or in other words the actual Macrophage stimulating factor. NOW, according to him, the immune system is disengaged due to the destruction of MAF by N-AcetylGalactosaminadase or Nagalase as he refers to it. Now, how 100 nanogram injections of EXOGENOUS MAF are able to avoid destruction by this enzyme is still mind boggling to me, yet still leads me to the following:
Now this made me wonder, since N-acetylgalactosamine is one of the 8 essential glycoproteins (glyconutrients)
http://www.toyourhea.../8essential.jpg noting that it (GalNAC) is also associated with the following:
1. N-acetylgalactosamine is the least known of the eight essential sugars. As with the others, this one is also important for proper cell-to-cell communication. This communication is important for both normal systemic function and in such disease processes as cancer, inflammation, and immunity.
2. Although there has not been much research to date, what has been done reveals that this saccharide may inhibit the growth of some tumors. For example, colon cancer patients have only half the normal amounts of N-acetylgalactosamine. Studies have shown that colon cancer cells that metastasize make more mucin, making them more likely to form metastases. Therefore, it appears that N-acetylgalactosamine plays an important role in preventing this formation from occurring.
3. N-acetylgalactosamine also seems to play an important role in the immune system. Contained in macrophages and neutrophils, it may play a significant role in the etiolology of joint inflammation and could be important in such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis.
Its absorbed via the intestine using a specific transporter, excreted thru the kidneys, and the main dietary sources are via the dextran sulfate (best source) found in a specific Red Marine Algae called Dumontiaceae which has anti-viral properties, bovine and/or shark cartilages, or can be obtained thru Chondroitin sulfate. I would think it can be synthesized in bulk from a chem company. Its apparently safe in doses of up to 280mgs twice daily.
"Certain glycosaminoglycans and related sulfated polysaccharide compounds have been examined for their immunomodulating properties. Palacios, et al., (Journal of Immunology, l28:62l-624, l982) reported that dextran sulfate, a sulfated polysaccharide, was a potent mitogen for human peripheral T lymphocytes Ginsburg, et al. (Inflammation, 6:343-364, l982) disclosed that dextran sulfate enhanced the bactericidal properties of leukocytes and macrophages toward both extracellular and intracellular microorganisms. Bey, et al. (Immunology, 54:487, l985) reported that dextran sulfate enhances the antibody response to ovalbumin in sheep. Sugawara, et al. (Microbiological Immunology, 28:83l-839, l984) reported that some polysaccharides with sulfate groups are human T-cell mitogens and murine polyclonal B-cell activators."
Thirdly, This also explains the mechanisms of how many polysaccharide/lectin preparations work. Mistletoe (Viscum Album aka Iscador) lectins which are used as anti-cancer treatments in Europe, have high affinity for binding to galactose and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAC)receptors on immune cells. Shiitake is high in N-acetylglucosamine but NOT GalNAC and Biobran MGN-3 is known for its ArabinoGalactans and Xylans.
"Extracts of mistletoe (Viscum album) have been widely used in adjuvant chemotherapy of human cancer for a long time. Their therapeutically active molecules are lectin components comprising ML4 -I, ML-II, ML-III," "The classical MLs I, II, and III consist of two subunits that are linked by a disulfide bridge (4) . They differ in their relative sugar-binding specificities. Although ML-I shows specificity to D-galactose, ML-II and ML-III preferentially bind to N-acetylgalactosamine"
taken from:
http://cancerres.aac.../full/59/9/2083Lastly, just a theory, but could supplemental N-acetylgalactosamine, aside from its direct anti-metastatic properties, may act as a preferential substrate to the Nagalase enzyme thus preserving more GcMAF to yield intact MAF?? Unless of course additional GalNAC would augment tumor nagalase secretion due to some possible feedback mechanism thereby ultimately further decreasing immunity.. If the cancer would not increase its nagalase secretion, this could provide additional building blocks for endogenous synthesis of Gc-Protein, thereby providing the body with more of a MAF precursor.... Something to think about.. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Edited by vitaminboss, 06 December 2008 - 04:25 AM.
