Common NameFermented Wheat germ extract, MSC (Code Name)
Brand NameAvemar
Clinical SummaryFermented wheat germ extract (WGE) was developed
by Mate Hidvegi, a Hungarian chemist, in
the 1990s. It should not be confused with
wheat germ oil. WGE is used as a dietary
supplement by cancer patients in Hungary
to improve quality of life. Results from
in vitro studies show that WGE has anticancer
(1) (2), antimetastatic (3), and immunomodulatory (2) (4) effects. It was also shown to increase estrogen
receptor (ER) activity in vitro. However,
when used along with tamoxifen, an ER antagonist,
it enhanced efficacy of tamoxifen in ER positive
breast cancer cells (5). WGE also increased production of tumor
necrosis factor and cytokines that are responsible
for tumor cell death (6). Data from pilot studies implicates a beneficial
role for WGE in patients with colorectal
cancer (7) and in reducing treatment associated febrile
neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients
(8). Because it potentiates estrogen receptor
activity, patients with ER positive cancers
should avoid WGE. Reported mild side effects
include diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, soft
stool, constipation, and dizziness. Long
term use of WGE may result in increased body
weight (10).
Purported uses
ConstituentsWheat germ
Mechanism of ActionAlthough the exact mechanism of action is
not clear, WGE was shown to increase TNF
and cytokine production in vitro by activating
certain metabolic pathways (6) involved in tumor cell death. WGE also regulates
tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting glycolysis
and pentose cycle enzymes and induces apoptosis
through caspase-3-mediated poly (ADP ribose)
polymerase cleavage (4).
WarningsWGE should be taken under medical supervision
only. Diabetics should use this product with
caution because of the high carbohydrate
content.
(10) Contraindications
Adverse ReactionsMild and infrequent side effects may include
diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, soft stool,
constipation, dizziness. Long term use of
WGE may result in increased body weight.
( Herb-Drug InteractionsWGE should be taken at least two hours before
or after consuming vitamin C.
Literature Summary and CritiqueJakab F, et al. A medical nutriment has supportive
value in the treatment of colorectal cancer.
British Journal of Cancer 2003; 89:465-469.
This study was done to determine if WGE supplementation was beneficial for patients with colorectal cancer. Sixty-six patients were given WGE (9g once daily) in addition to anticancer treatments and 104 patients received only anticancer treatments. Data analysis revealed that patients who took WGE had fewer disease progression-related events compared to the control group. There was also an improvement in overall survival of patients on WGE. But more trials are needed with equal number of patients in the experimental and control groups. Garami M, et al. Fermented wheat germ extract reduces chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2004; 26(10): 631-635. Twenty-two pediatric patients with different malignant tumors participated in this study. Eleven patients were given 12g/m2/day of WGE during cancer treatments and eleven patients received only cancer treatments. Researchers found that there was no recognizable progression of disease during the follow-up period. But there was a significant difference in the frequency of febrile neutropenic events between the two groups. The overall white blood cell and lymphocyte counts during such events were close to normal values in the WGE group compared to those in the control group. Since this is a pilot study, randomized controlled trials are warranted with larger sample size to verify these effects. References
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