ABSTRACT
Natural killer (NK) cells are among the first in defense of the innate immune system by eliminating a variety of abnormal or stressed cells such as cancer cells or virus-infected cells. Individuals who exhibit low cytolytic NK cell activity are believed to be at higher risk of viral infection, tumorigenesis, and various other diseases of the immune system. Therefore, restoration of impaired NK cell function might be an essential step in immunostimulatory therapy of immunocompromised patients. Bacillus firmus is a non-pathogenic gram-positive bacterium of the environment, which possesses various immunomodulatory properties in vitro and in vivo. This retrospective study reports on the effect of B. firmus on the activity of NK cells in vitro. Basal cytolytic NK cell activity against tumor cells among peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of routine patients was determined in a standardized NK cell cytotoxicity assay. The impact of cultivation of PBMCs with B. firmus preparation Bacillus firmus e volumine ex muris cellulae (Bacillus firmus (evc)) 6x on tumor cell killing by NK cells was monitored in relation to basal NK cell activity. This study showed that stimulation of PBMCs with Bacillus firmus (evc) 6x in vitro led to a significant increase in NK cell function. Substantial improvement in cytolytic NK cell activity (more than 1.3-fold of basal activity) was much more pronounced for patients with compromised NK cell function. Due to its immunostimulatory mode of action, Bacillus firmus (evc) may be of particular importance in therapy of patients with NK cell deficiency.
Subject(s)
Killer Cells, Natural , K562 Cells , Bacillus firmus/immunologyABSTRACT
In Germany, the commission D recommends in its current dosage guidelines from March 17, 2004, that homeopathic dilutions higher than 24x will be prescribed in a daily application of five drops once. This recommendation is decisive for the German Regulatory Authority. Even though the homochord Acidum L(+)-lacticum 4x/6x/12x/30x/200x contains dilutions above 24x, it is commonly used in clinical practice for over 30 years in a dosage of 60 drops three times daily. In order to explore the clinical safety and tolerability of Acidum L(+)-lacticum 4x/6x/12x/30x/200x at a dosage of 60 drops three times daily, as well as lower dosages, a therapist survey was designed to address the questions. Highly experienced and licensed therapists, including general and alternative practitioners, reported their usual dosage of homochord, incidences of drug reactions, initial homeopathic aggravations as well as the diagnoses that led to the prescription of Acidum L(+)-lacticum 4x/6x/12x/30x/200x. 167 therapist responses were analyzed. Only four therapists reported occurrences that classify as initial aggravation, (2.40 %), compared to 159 with no incidences (95.21 %). Four therapists made no statement. Nevertheless, there were no adverse drug reactions documented in the survey. Consequently, Acidum L(+)-lacticum 4x/6x/12x/30x/200x at a dosage of 60 drops three times daily or lower dosages may be construed to be clinically tolerable and safe. This evidence might lead to further re-evaluations of other homochords, and rigorous clinical trials for its safety and tolerability...