Distribution and metabolism of germanium in the body
All kinds of natural foods contain germanium to varying degrees, and the daily intake of germanium for adults is about 400-3500ug. Therefore, germanium is ubiquitous in the body, and some enzyme proteins in the body, the cortex and gray matter of the brain all contain trace element germanium.
Second, organic germanium compounds with physiological activity
The most studied organogermanium compounds include organogermanium sesquioxides, derivatives and sulfur-containing coordination organogermanium compounds, and their physiological activities are the most obvious.
Germanium has obvious anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities, and there are many other types of organic germanium compounds, most of which have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immune resurrection, sterilization and other biological effects, but because of their high toxicity, they can only be used as medicine.
Third, the relationship between organic germanium compounds and tumors
Organic germanium 132 and spirogermanium have obvious anti-tumor activity and low toxicity, especially no bone marrow toxicity. They have great potential in preventing and treating tumors and assisting radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and have entered the clinical trial stage.
The possible mechanisms of organogermanium compounds inhibiting tumor activity include enhancing immunity, scavenging free radicals and resisting mutation. In many bioactive organic germanium compounds, strongly electronegative atoms such as oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen are usually coordinated with germanium atoms. Because they absorb electrons, the electron clouds around germanium atoms deviate from the nucleus and form a positive center. When organic germanium compounds meet tumor cells, its normal center can increase the potential energy of tumor cells and reduce their activity, thus playing a role in inhibiting and killing tumor cells, that is to say, organic germanium compounds inhibit tumor activity.
In addition to anti-tumor and immune resuscitation, germanium is also beneficial to biological effects, including stimulating hematopoietic system function, inhibiting cell growth, promoting antibacterial disappearance, and promoting plant growth. The effect on the blood system is mainly manifested in stimulating the increase of the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood, which has a certain effect on the treatment of anemia.
Germanium and related diseases:
Ge is a metalloid element in the fourth main group of the periodic table of elements. As early as 187 1, Mendeleev once talked about "silicon". Later, the German Weisbach discovered the existence of this element in the sulfur-silver-germanium mine, and then separated it from the ore and named it germanium to commemorate their motherland.
1950, Kazuhiko Asai of Japan synthesized organic germanium for the first time and engaged in germanium research. It is found that ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum and other medicinal materials are rich in germanium. The synthesis and biological activity of 1980 organogermanium have attracted the interest and attention of Chinese scholars. 1987 Bai et al. synthesized organogermanium and studied its anticancer activity. From 1990 to 1995, three national organic germanium seminars were held, and a series of organic germanium compounds were synthesized. Based on the theory of germanium, its anti-cancer, anti-aging and antihypertensive research and clinical effects are gratifying. At present, germanium chemistry is developing along the direction of theoretical research of organic compounds and pharmacological research, application and development of bioactive organic compounds.
Part I: Biological and physiological functions of germanium.
After the discovery of germanium and the successful synthesis of organic germanium compounds, scholars all over the world have done a lot of research work in pharmacology and clinic in the past 20 years. Organic germanium is almost non-toxic, and has biological functions of inducing interferon, increasing nk cell activity, activating phagocytes, and promoting the body to produce anti-tumor and anti-aging.
I toxicity and metabolism of germanium:
Fuchi, Japan reported the acute and subacute toxicity tests of organic germanium Ge- 132. It has been pointed out that subacute tests with different doses and different routes of administration have been carried out on mice. The doses were 0.03 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg and 3 g/kg, respectively. Organogermanium Ge- 132 was taken orally for 6 weeks. The results of both groups were normal hemogram and organ function, and there was no obvious change in liver and kidney by pathological examination. After 3 hours, 90% was excreted in urine, and almost no residue was left after12 hours, which proved that organic germanium Ge- 132 was a trace element that did not accumulate in the body.
Second, the immunomodulatory function of germanium:
Mizushima and others in Japan discussed the immunomodulatory effect of Ge- 132. The experimental results show that Ge- 132 is not only an immunopotentiator, but also an immunomodulator. It is proved that the anti-cancer, anti-hypertension and anti-aging effects of organic germanium Ge- 132 are achieved by inducing interferon, enhancing nk cell activity and activating macrophages. The effect of organic germanium on immune function of silicotic rats was studied. The results showed that the proliferation of thymocytes and spleen cells increased. Silicosis C is mainly due to low immune function, and organic germanium improves the immune function of silicosis rats.
Third, the anti-tumor effect:
Dr. Sato of Sasaki Institute in Japan and others confirmed the anticancer effect of organic germanium for the first time in the study of ascites, liver cancer and bladder cancer in rats. In Japan, more than 50,000 tumor patients were treated with Ge- 132, and remarkable results were achieved, including lung cancer, liver cancer, reproductive cancer and leukemia. Experiments in the United States, Sweden and other countries show that Yanji Medical College in Jilin reported to the Organic Germanium Laboratory that Ge- 132 was used to treat all kinds of advanced cancer 102 cases, and the improvement rate reached 64% without side effects. Shanghai reported that organic germanium Ge- 132 combined with anticancer drugs improved the curative effect of malignant tumor, and the effective rate was 60%-70%. Organic Germanium Syntheses Henan 1992 to Treat Lung Cancer, Liver Cancer, Bone Marrow Cancer, etc. Organic germanium 300 mg, taken orally three times a day, combined with other anticancer drugs, has a curative effect of 80% and no side effects. As for the effective dosage for treating various tumors, further exploration is needed. Experimental studies have proved that the anti-tumor effect of organic germanium is achieved by regulating the immune function of germanium.
Fourth, anti-lipid peroxidation:
Zhang Peijin obviously inhibited the lipid peroxidation induced by alcohol enema in mice, which indicated that organic germanium had inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. Experiments show that organic germanium has obvious scavenging effect on free radicals. It is reported that organic germanium peroxide can significantly increase the blood germanium of rats, improve the activity of superoxide dismutase and eliminate superoxide, so there is a significant difference in lipid peroxide among groups, indicating that organic germanium has anti-lipid peroxidation, so lipid peroxidation has anti-tumor, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation and anti-aging effects. Anti-lipid peroxidation activity, aging mechanism is complex, and there are many factors. Organic germanium can enhance immune function, resist lipid peroxidation, regulate endocrine function, resist cancer and hypertension, so as to reflect the anti-aging effect of organic germanium.
Five, the relationship between germanium and other elements:
Animal experiments show that germanium has a synergistic effect with selenium and zinc. Germanium and selenium can prevent and treat arteriosclerosis. In clinic, germanium and selenium can also prevent and treat tumors, liver diseases and anti-aging. It is reported that organic germanium 30 mg plus organic selenium 5 mg is superior to germanium or selenium alone in treating coronary heart disease. Selenium can increase the biological activity of germanium and interact with biological functions. It is found that germanium and selenium have synergistic effect.
The second section, absorption, distribution and excretion of germanium.
Germanium is mainly absorbed by digestive tract quickly, and the blood concentration reaches the peak at 3 hours after oral administration, and almost all of it is excreted at 24 hours. The total excretion in urine and feces within 24-36 hours is 100%. Most of the absorbed germanium is in extracellular plasma, and a small part is in blood cells. After oral administration for 3 hours, the concentration in small intestine is the highest, which is distributed in various organs and thyroid gland, and the concentration in kidney and liver is also high. After absorption, it is excreted from urine and feces. A small amount of germanium remains in the kidney and liver.
The healthy dose of organic germanium is 15-30mg/d, and the daily requirement of human body needs to be discussed and studied.
Section 3. Diseases caused by germanium deficiency
There are many reports on the biological status and biological activity of germanium in trace elements. Organic germanium compounds have anticancer, anti-aging, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-oxidation and immunomodulation effects, but they are not essential trace elements for organisms. As we all know, whether trace elements are beneficial or harmful, whether they are necessary or not, are relative. With the deepening of human understanding of nature, trace elements that were previously considered unnecessary to human body may now be found to be beneficial and necessary to organisms. Although it has not been completely proved that it is an essential trace element for human body, it is proved that it is beneficial to human body. Through further research, germanium may be listed as an essential trace element in the future.
First, the anti-tumor effect of organic germanium:
The anti-tumor effect of organic germanium has been highly valued at home and abroad, and remarkable achievements have been made in both animal experiments and clinical research, and it has been widely used in clinic. In recent years, Japan, the United States, Sweden and other countries have been effective in treating gastric cancer, lung cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and multiple bone marrow cancers. In recent years, 500 cases of lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer and bone marrow cancer have been reported in Shanghai, Tianjin, Beijing, Jilin and Henan. Ge-1 32900-1200mg/d, 3 months1course of treatment, no obvious side effects.
Second, the antihypertensive effect of organic germanium:
It is reported that the amino acid germanium used in animal experiments has obvious continuous hypotensive effect on experimental rats after 0.5-8 hours, but has no obvious effect on their heart rate, normal rats and only essential hypertension rats. Li reported that 0.3g/l of organic germanium was taken orally by 10/0 patients with hypertension. The results showed that organic germanium could effectively reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improve the clinical symptoms of hypertension.
Third, the anti-aging effect of organic germanium:
Aging is a natural law under the combined action of many factors. Aging is due to the change of self-recognition of human cells, mainly the change of reticular system cells, which is characterized by low immune system function. Immune regulation function is closely related to zinc, germanium and other trace elements. Some people think that aging is closely related to free radical theory, and that free radicals lead to aging, and cell damage and degradation lead to aging. Organic germanium can resist lipid peroxidation, increase immune function, and has anticancer and antihypertensive effects, so the anti-aging effect of organic germanium has been reported in clinical trials of Ge- 132.
Four, organic germanium prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis:
Mao Xufeng and others used Ge- 132 to prevent and treat arteriosclerosis in white rabbits. The observation results show that the lipid in plasma will not stay in blood vessels and cause intimal damage, and the blood viscosity will decrease, and the blood flow velocity will tend to be normal. In clinical trials, patients with coronary heart disease caused by arteriosclerosis were treated with Ge- 132 90mg and organic selenium 10mg, and satisfactory results were obtained.
Five, organic germanium treatment of chronic hepatitis:
Li Synthetic and Song Xiangfang reported that Ge- 132 had obvious inhibitory effects on chemical and immunosuppressive liver injury. Clinical observation of 500 cases of hepatitis B and non-hepatitis B shows that the liver function is improved, the clinical symptoms are improved and the side effects are small.
Six, the influence of organic germanium on the blood system:
The toxic animal experiment of Ge- 132 in Shanghai Medical University found that the white blood cells and platelets in experimental animals were elevated, and 40 cases of occupational leukocytosis were treated. Raw Bailing is composed of Ge- 132 and vitamins, with 3 months 1 course of treatment, Ge- 132 90mg/d, 1. Its mechanism may be leukopenia caused by organic germanium regulating immune function. Zhang Heng and others reported that the radiation protection and hematopoietic function of organic germanium have been studied experimentally, and the clinical efficacy has been reported in Shanghai.
Seven, organic germanium treatment of osteoporosis:
1983, Japan first published an article on the treatment of senile osteoporosis with Ge- 132. Organic germanium can improve the activity of bone cells, participate in the metabolism of alkaline phosphatase and resist osteoporosis. All countries in the world have entered the aging society. Developing Ge- 132 to treat osteoporosis can reduce the incidence of fractures and benefit mankind.
Eight, organic germanium treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:
It is reported that 10.3g/l of organic germanium and oral liquid were used to treat rheumatoid arthritis 10 cases, all of which had different degrees of joint pain and deformity. After 30 days of treatment, symptoms gradually improved, joint swelling and pain subsided, laboratory indicators improved significantly, and ESR gradually became normal. Organic germanium can regulate immune function, resist inflammation and relieve pain, so it can treat rheumatoid arthritis.
The fourth section, the nutritional and health functions of organic germanium.
The research of germanium in nutrition and health care has achieved gratifying results, and papers have been published in foreign journals one after another. Health and longevity are not an unreachable dream. Aging is irresistible, but it can delay aging and strive for longevity. Organic germanium has anticancer, antioxidant, antihypertensive and anti-aging immune functions, and can prevent and treat lung tumors, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, liver diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cataract and coronary heart disease.
Section V, Toxicity of Germanium
Germanium is a silvery white metal, which is mainly used in semiconductor industry, making transistors, diodes and electronic high-energy raw materials, making metals to increase alloy hardness, and also used in pharmaceutical industry.
Germanium and its compounds have low toxicity, and germanium is absorbed and excreted quickly. Germanium is excreted from urine through liver and kidney, and there is only trace germanium in liver and kidney. In animal experiments, 10ug/g germanium dioxide feed has no obvious toxic effect for 14 weeks, but it stimulates animal growth. When 1000ug/g germanium dioxide feed was given, the growth of animals was inhibited. After 4 weeks, 50% of the animals died. Autopsy found emphysema, hepatomegaly and tubular degeneration and necrosis.
After investigation by semiconductor factory and germanium factory, there is no occupational poisoning caused by germanium and compounds.
Japan reported that tens of millions of people ate germanium food, reported 33 articles and 63 cases of germanium poisoning. Li Synthetic reported the truth of germanium poisoning abroad. These poisoning cases are basically taking carbon dioxide instead of organic germanium.
Toxicity tests of organic germanium were carried out in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The toxicity of organic germanium was very low and almost non-toxic.
Health News1September 28, 1993, The Expert Review Committee of New Resources Food of the Ministry of Health thinks that organic germanium should be given a fair evaluation, which emphasizes that organic germanium is recognized as the most active and least toxic germanium at home and abroad. In the classification that can produce acute toxic effects [it is actually non-toxic, and the intake is actually not more than 30mg/d, which is absolutely safe and has no side effects].