the ability to recognize deviant cells such as tumor cells
BioProtein+Plus - Biologically
Active Thymus Proteins plus Zinc
Balances Immune System
Function and Builds CD4 Cells
By, Daniel Clark M.D.
Immune Dysfunction
Dysfunction of the Immune System affects about 65
million Americans. These dysfunctions manifest
themselves in disorders such as Chronic Allergies and
Respiratory problems, Arthritis, Diabetes, Lupus
Erythematosus and Chronic Viral infections to name a
few. The cost in terms of lost time at work cost of related
health care and diminished quality of life cannot be
accurately estimated. However, everyone agrees that the
costs are enormous. A good deal of the time and money
related to Immune Dysfunction is actually spent treating
the disorders rather than directly approaching the
underlying cause itself.
Immune Dysfunction is likely the result of a
combination of assaults on the immune system.
Generally there is immune suppression then infection
followed by treatment of the infection. If immune
function is not restored, the initial infection may not
resolve, or it may be followed by another infection
eventually overwhelming the immune system causing it
to overreact and under-react simultaneously. This is
classic Immune Dysfunction, a patient with multiple low-
grade infections and autoimmune disorders at the same
time. Direct immune stimulation may exacerbate the
autoimmune disorders, while treating autoimmune
disorders may suppress immunity and allow infection to
proliferate.
The Thymus Gland
The “brain” of the immune system is the thymus gland.
It lies just beneath the breastbone and is responsible for
producing perhaps dozens of different polypeptides that
“program” lymphocyte progenitors. Lymphocytes are
born in the bone marrow; some receive their
programming in the bone marrow and are referred to as
B-lymphocytes. Others migrate to the thymus gland to
mature by contacting the thymic proteins and are referred
to as T-lymphocytes. The T-lymphocytes display
receptor sites on their surface that correspond to
transmitter sites on the surface of the various thymic
proteins. When the appropriate T-lymphocyte contacts
its corresponding protein, the transmitter fits into the
receptor (much like a key fits into a lock) and the
lymphocyte is now ready to perform its specific function
or is otherwise immune-competent.
There are two main types of T-lymphocytes. These are
the T-4 (CD4) helper, and the T-8 (CD8) that further
differentiate into killer and suppressor types. Helper cells
not only induce killer and suppressor cells but also induce
B-lymphocytes, and macrophages. Killer cells do just
that, kill. When they are immune-competent they have
and the body’s own cells that are virally infected. Once
recognized, the killer cell attacks. Sometimes killer cells
overreact by attacking self-tissue (auto-immune disease)
but if immune-competent suppressor cells are present,
they intervene and stop the attack. Thus when the system
is functioning properly the thymus produces proteins that
“program” T-lymphocytes that start and stop immune
response.
Due to genetic flaw, trauma, stress, disease, exposure to
toxic substances and/or inevitably the aging process, the
thymus ceases to produce its proteins in the proper
quantity or combinations to maintain immune balance.
Supplementation with Thymic Proteins
The use of thymic extracts has been well studied. There
is a substantial body of clinical evidence that indicates
the use of thymus is effective in the treatment of a
number of diseases and disorders. Chronic viral
infections, different types of cancers, and some auto-
immune disorders are a few that I will discuss here.
Double-blind studies reveal that thymus extracts are
able to eliminate viral infection; and continued use over
one year reduces the number of recurrent infections.
Additionally, patients in the studies show improved
immune parameters1. In cancer patients, the primary
indication for thymus use is for the treatment of
lymphopenia/leukopenia caused by chemotherapy and
radiation treatments. The effect is to prevent or at least
mitigate the dramatic drop in white blood cell levels and
to restore counts more quickly in cases where they do
drop. The net result of patients taking thymus are that
they are more often able to complete their treatment and
with reduced side effects than in patients who do not take
thumus2,3. Autoimmune disorders are immune
dysfunction where the bodies’ own defense mechanisms
are attacking self-tissue.
Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Lupus, and Scleroderma
are classic disorders
caused by increased
antibody formation
brought on by a high
T-helper/T-suppressor
ratio. A clinical study
in Rheumatoid Arthritis
patients revealed that
thymus extract use
normalized their
T-helper/T-suppressor
Immune Dysfunction can affect anyone
ratios in three months2.
regardless of age.
Thymus is also indicated
for the treatment of
Hepatitis C, AIDS, Chronic Fatigue, Cold and Flu, Lupus
Erythematosis, Type II Diabetes and Scleroderma.
Studies are presently being conducted for the treatment of
Hepatitis C.
Another area of recent study for the application of
thymus products has to do with the role lymphocytes play
in periodontal disease. The first line of defense against
bacterial plaque is neutrophils. Neutrophils are depressed
in people susceptible to periodontal disease such as
diabetics and the geriatric population. Lymphocytes
promote neutrophil growth and thymus proteins promote
lymphocyte growth. Lymphocytes therefore play a major
role in prevention and resolution of periodontal
disease10,11.
Volumes of scientific data exist now to support the use
of thymus products for immune suppression and immune
dysfunction. There is precious little data however
suggesting which specific thymus product is most
effective.
Which Thymus Products are Best?
There are a variety of thymus products available from
raw thymus tissue to highly purified thymus proteins and
many thymus extracts in between. Thymus proteins are
produced in the thymic epithelium and range in size from
probably around 10,000 Dalton to perhaps over 50,000
Dalton. Whether large or small, proteins are complex
molecules that can be
easily damaged
(de-natured) or changed.
Changes in the protein
molecule can bear directly
on its biological activity
and therefore its ability
to “program” T-lymphocytes.
Therefore the manner in
which the thymus product
is handled and administered will bear directly upon how
much benefit the patient experiences from using it.
Typical thymic extracts are composed of ground up
thymus tissue, which is then freeze-dried and
encapsulated to be swallowed and absorbed in the
gastrointestinal tract. There are also liquid thymus
extract drops that are taken sublingually and a few
products of freeze-dried purified thymus protein that is
also administered sublingually.
My experience has taught me that the purified thymus
protein administered sublingually is the most effective. I
have recently been testing a thymic compound called
BioProtein+PlusTM that contains purified biologically
active thymus proteins ranging in atomic size from
10,000 to 50,000 Dalton plus Zinc Gluconate.
The Role of Zinc
DNA makes RNA, which in turn makes proteins.
Proteins drive biological function. Trace minerals work
as catalysts or activators in enzyme complexes and
influence reactivity and stability of protein
configurations. Zinc has anti-oxidant properties and
serves a vital role in many immune functions. Studies
have shown that Zinc must be present for lymphocyte
maturation and is a lymphocyte mitogen. Additionally,
zinc is a necessary co-factor in activation of serum
thymic factor5,6. Zinc Gluconate has been clinically
proven to reduce the duration of the common cold by an
average of 7 days7,8.
Zinc may also have some anti-aging benefits. An
important study of zinc supplementation in elderly
patients resulted in increased numbers of T-cells and
enhanced cell-mediated immune responses9.
Our testing indicates that BioProtein+PlusTM works to
regulate the T-helper/T-killer/T-suppressor interaction
resulting in normalization of immune response. Our
experience is consistent with clinical studies conducted
with other thymus products. The quality of our results
are due to the combination of biologically active purified
thymus proteins contained in BioProtein+PlusTM working
synergistically with the zinc gluconate to induce immune
regulation.
A Unique Thymic Compound
BioProtein+PlusTM is a proprietary formula produced by
the original manufacturer of BioPro Thymic Protein A.
The thymus used in its manufacture comes from dairies
in the US that only produce certified raw dairy products.
It is certified free of microorganisms and BSE. The
proteins are purified efficiently by the most up to date
assay techniques while taking great care to maintain the
proteins’ biological activity. They are then lyophilized to
maintain their long-term stability.
The zinc gluconate used in the manufacture of
BioProtein+PlusTM is of the highest quality available.
Once freeze-dried, the purified thymus proteins and the
zinc gluconate are triturated into a base of maltodextrin
and packaged in doses containing about 400 mg of
product each.
It is recommended by the manufacturer to be taken as a
once per day supplement. Just as with BioPro Thymic
Protein A, we have not seen any adverse side effects. On
some occasions a health care professional may
recommend more than one per day. As with other zinc
products, toxicity does not occur unless a person takes
over 150 mg of zinc per day for more than two weeks.
BioProtein+PlusTM contains 10 mg of zinc per dose.
There are no known contraindications but
BioProtein+PlusTM is likely to be less effective for people
using steroidal medications.
Clinical Observations
One completed trial has been conducted on patients
infected with HIV and resistant to antiretroviral
treatment. It concluded that BioProtein+PlusTM increased
CD4 cell counts without side effects.
The study was conducted in a pediatric hospital in
Vietnam. There were 60 children enrolled, 30 in the
study group receiving 2 packets per day and 30 in a
control group. The average increase in CD4 count over
the 30 day study was almost double without liver
toxcicity or other side effects.12
Hepatitis C
Twenty-seven people completed the trial that measured
ALT, AST, and total viral load over six months. Twenty-
two of the participants experienced statistically
significant reductions in ALT, AST, and RNA PCR. No
one reported any negative side effects.
Chemotherapy Toxicity
Ethel began Taxol treatment for breast cancer in
December 1999. She began using three packets of
BioProtein+Plus TM per day when she began treatment.
As of mid-July, 2000 she has received 8 rounds of
Taxol.
Throughout her
treatment her
blood parameters
have remained
in the normal range
except her lymphocyte
count dropped below
A Mature Lymphocyte Attacks a Tumor Cell
normal for six weeks
from mid-March to the end of April. She completed her
Taxol treatment without interruption.
Brief reports from health care
professionals:
Kathryn, an acupuncturist in the state of Florida, has
found the new BioProtein+Plus to be very effective at
reducing viral load on her Hepatitis C patients referred to
her by an Internist for acupuncture treatments.
Michael, an acupuncturist also in the state of Florida,
has found the new BioProtein+Plus effective in balancing
immune function for a number of patients with
autoimmune disorders.
Denise and Luby Chambul, D.C. of Nashville,
Tennessee have used the BioProtein+Plus in Hepatitis C
patients with effective reduction of viral load.
Dr. Herbert Warren of Alternative Health Concepts
reports: I have been dispensing BioPro Thymic Protein
A for over 4 years, to clients with a variety of health
problems ranging form simple immune dysfunction to
severe debilitating diseases like; Chronic Fatigue,
Hepatitis C, severe Lymphopenia, and Cancer. In the
vast majority of cases (90%), I have seen positive health
benefits when the product was taken as recommended.
Since being introduced to the “new generation” product,
BioProtein+Plus, I have observed the same extraordinary
health benefits previously experienced with the
aforementioned product and in several cases a more
natural or complete immune regulation response has been
observed, with out the “inflammatory flare” sometimes
seen with BioPro. I can only surmise this is because of
the more balanced and complete formulation of purified
thymus proteins coupled with the zinc found in
BioProtein+Plus.
I feel both products are phenomenal in enhancing the
immune response, however, because of the smooth
immune modulation and the cost differential between the
two products, I prefer BioProtein+Plus, as the supplement
of choice to fully restore the cell mediated immunity so
necessary for a healthy life.
Conclusion
Nothing teaches and convinces like one’s own
experience. The author’s own observations and
experience as well as other health care professionals is
that BioProtein+PlusTM is an excellent tool in the battle
against immune dysfunction.
If you are a person who suffers with chronic viral
infection while at the same time dealing with
autoimmune disorder, ask your health professional about
this product. If you are a health professional looking for
an effective and cost-effective tool to recommend to your
clients, consider trying this product and experience for
yourself the benefits of this product.
References
1. Riocchi A, Borella E, Riva E. et al. A double blind
clinical trial for the evaluation of the therapeutic
effectiveness of a calf thymus derivative in children
with recurrent repiratory infection. Thymus 1986; 8:
831-839.
2. Kouttab NM, Prada M., Cazzola P. Thymomodulim.
Biological properties and clinical applications. Med
Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989; 6: 5-9.
3. Kang SD, Lee B H, Yand JH, Lee CY. The effects of
calf-thymus extract on recovery of bone marrow
function in anticancer chemotherapy. New Med J
(Korea) 1985; 28: 11-15.
4. Cazzola P, Mazzanti P, Bossi G. In vivo modulation
effect of a calf thymus acid lysate on human T
Lymphocyte subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the
course of different diseases. Curr Ther Res 1987; 42:
1011-1017.
5. Eaterbrook-Smith S. Activation of the binding of C1q
to immune complexes by zinc. FEBS Lett 1983; 162:
117-119.
6. Hadden JW. The treatment of zinc deficiency is an
immunotherapy. Int J Immunopharmac 1995; 17:
697-701.
7. Eby GA, Davis DR, Halcomb WW. Reduction in
duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges
in a double-blind study. Antimicrob Agents
Chemother 1984; 25: 20-24.
8. Mossad SB, Macnin ML, Medendorp SV et al. Zinc
gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A
randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.
Annals Intern Med 1996; 125: 81-88.
9. Gershwin M, beach R, Hurley L. Trace metals, aging
and immunity. J Am Ger Soc 1983; 31: 374-378.
10. Carranza F. Glickman’s clinical peridontology.
Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders. 1984.
11. Page R, Schroeder H. Current status of the host
response in chronic marginal periodontis. J
Periodontal 1981; 53: 477-491
12. Khu thi Khanh Du., Nguyen Van Lam & Associate,
Assessment of BioProtein Plus Effectiveness of
increasing CD4 concentration of HIV patients, 2010.
About the Author:
Dr. Daniel Clark is a noted researcher and lecturer in
the field of alternative medicines.
He is located in Melbourne FL.