That MSM is an adrenal cure is probably nonsense! Does that mean that
there might not be more found down the line? Nope!
Remember several things, though: the work on tumors with MSM is on the
spreading of malignancies to distant sites. The vast majority of ferret
adrenal growths are NOT malignant, and when carcinoma occurs there it
often does not move to distant sites, though when lymphoma is there
is does but that is RARE per reports on the lists and also out own
experience; in our 31 years with ferrets we have had three who
developed adrenal carcinomas, but only one who developed adrenal
lymphoma. About a third of our ferrets have gotten adrenal growths,
so all of the rest were non-malignant. This is also consistent with
information that ferret veterinary pathologist, Dr. Bruce Williams
has shared with both the FHL and FML.
I will include all even distantly relevant research so that you can see
what exists to realize why I am being frankly honest, so be sure to
notice that the very idea of using MSM for ferret adrenal growths is
reading in WAY too many INAPPROPRIATE exaggerations and WAY too little
caution in relation to what has been found so far.
It would be good to find the two studies which came up on searches
looking like it may have caused poisoning in dogs. Ferrets are related
to dogs; we humans are more closely related to rodents than ferrets or
dogs are. Would MSM poison ferrets? Maybe.
<https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Review_Glucosamine_Chondroitin_MSM_Supplements/jointsupplements/>
and
<https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/Joint_Supplements_Glucosamine_Chondroitin_and_MSM_Dogs_Cats_Horses/jointsupplements_pets/>
If you can get into those articles DO note that the people selling it
have been trying to sell it for a very wide range of things and that
technique is one of the marks of snake oil salesmen, also notice that
anyone trying to link what MSM has shown on rodent and human studies to
ferrets means that the person knows ZILCH about ferret adrenal growths
and might even not have read those dog poisoning studies.
MSM can be either methyl sulphonyl methane or methyl sulfonyl methane
(or those can each be written as one word), a sulphur compound that
is closely related to DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) which is a chemical
solvent that had been tried for medical uses but had a huge number of
serious adverse reactions and complications. DMSO is now banned as a
supplement and there are specially designed close medical supervision
by a treating professional recommendations in place if anyone tries
it for a problem.
One of the reasons MSM is appearing as snake oil from a sales
perspective is because it falls through the cracks and currently it
does not fit into a category where any federal agency is required to
inspect batches. That means that what is sold can contain contaminants
or even not contain what is it supposed to contain. When CL tested some
types (publication this month) all had MSM but also there were small
amounts of DMSO. Not enough to cause problems for humans but whether
it might be enough to do so for ferrets is another matter.
NO WAY I would accept such an unsupported claim for our own ferrets.
That said, while there is NO evidence that MSM is a treatment for
adrenal disease in ferrets there are recent studies which are
malignancy related for humans or rodents (though there are hundreds of
forms of cancer and what works for one type often will NOT work for a
number of others), but I do worry with one when something is described
as having no toxicity because even in species where things are better
known (humans in this case) almost anything at too large a dose is a
problem, even water:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0033361
BEGIN QUOTE
PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e33361. Epub 2012 Apr 2.
Methylsulfonylmethane Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth by
Down-Regulating STAT3 and STAT5b Pathways.
Lim EJ, Hong DY, Park JH, Joung YH, Darvin P, Kim SY, Na YM, Hwang TS,
Ye SK, Moon ES, Cho BW, Do Park K, Lee HK, Park T, Yang YM.
Source
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, and Institute of
Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University Glocal Campus,
Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most aggressive form of all cancers, with high
incidence and mortality rates. The purpose of the present study was
to investigate the molecular mechanism by which methylsulfonylmethane
(MSM) inhibits breast cancer growth in mice xenografts. MSM is an
organic sulfur-containing natural compound without any toxicity. In
this study, we demonstrated that MSM substantially decreased the
viability of human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. MSM
also suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT3, STAT5b, expression of
IGF-1R, HIF-1α, VEGF, BrK, and p-IGF-1R and inhibited triple-negative
receptor expression in receptor-positive cell lines. Moreover, MSM
decreased the DNA-binding activities of STAT5b and STAT3, to the
target gene promoters in MDA-MB 231 or co-transfected COS-7 cells. We
confirmed that MSM significantly decreased the relative luciferase
activities indicating crosstalk between STAT5b/IGF-1R, STAT5b/HSP90α,
and STAT3/VEGF. To confirm these findings in vivo, xenografts were
established in Balb/c athymic nude mice with MDA-MB 231 cells and MSM
was administered for 30 days. Concurring to our in vitro analysis,
these xenografts showed decreased expression of STAT3, STAT5b, IGF-1R
and VEGF. Through in vitro and in vivo analysis, we confirmed that
MSM can effectively regulate multiple targets including STAT3/VEGF
and STAT5b/IGF-1R. These are the major molecules involved in tumor
development, progression, and metastasis. Thus, we strongly recommend
the use of MSM as a trial drug for treating all types of breast cancers
including triple-negative cancers.
PMID: 22485142 [PubMed - in process] PMCID: PMC3317666
Free PMC Article
END QUOTE
This may be of interest, though, again, do NOT assume that this means
that this will work for ferret adrenal disease. For one thing, most
adrenal disease in ferrets is NOT malignant:
BEGIN QUOTE
PLoS One. 2010 Aug 4;5(8):e11788.
Methyl sulfone induces loss of metastatic properties and reemergence of
normal phenotypes in a metastatic cloudman S-91 (M3) murine melanoma
cell line.
Caron JM, Bannon M, Rosshirt L, Luis J, Monteagudo L, Caron JM,
Sternstein GM.
Source
Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of
Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The most deadly form of cancer is not lung or colon, breast or
prostate; it is any cancer that has become metastatic. Mortality due
to metastatic melanoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers,
has increased steadily over the last several decades. Unfortunately,
the arsenal of chemotherapeutic agents available today is most often
unsuccessful at extending and improving the life expectancy of
afflicted individuals. We sought to identify an effective and nontoxic
agent against metastatic melanoma.
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:
We chose to study Cloudman S-91 mouse melanoma cells (sub-clone M3,
CCL53.1) because these cells are highly aggressive and metastatic,
representing one of the deadliest types of cancer. Melanoma cells also
had an experimental advantage because their morphology, which is easily
monitored, relates to the physiology of metastatic cells and normal
melanocytes. We chose to test methyl sulfone as a chemotherapeutic
agent for two reasons. Because of its chemical structure, we speculated
a potential anti-cancer activity by targeting microtubules. Equally
important, methyl sulfone has a well-established safety profile in
humans. Surprisingly, we found that malignant melanoma cells exposed to
methyl sulfone demonstrated the loss of phenotypes characteristic of
malignant cells, and the reemergence of phenotypes characteristic of
healthy melanocytes. Briefly, over time methyl sulfone induced contact
inhibition, loss of ability to migrate through an extracellular matrix,
loss of anchorage-independent growth, proper wound healing followed by
contact inhibition, irreversible senescence followed by arborization
with melanosomes in arbors as seen in normal melanocytes.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
Methyl sulfone may have clinical potential as a non-toxic agent
effective against metastatic melanoma. Additionally, methyl sulfone
has promise as a tool to explore molecular mechanisms of metastatic
transformation as well as fundamental processes such as cell
migration, contact inhibition, wound healing and cellular senescence.
PMID: 20694196 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC2915910
Free PMC Article
END QUOTE
BEGIN QUOTE
Cell Biochem Biophys. 2010 Sep;58(1):1-23.
Antioxidant and anticancer properties and mechanisms of inorganic
selenium, oxo-sulfur, and oxo-selenium compounds.
Ramoutar RR, Brumaghim JL.
Source
Chemistry Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA.
Abstract
Inorganic selenium and oxo-sulfur compounds are widely available
in dietary supplements and have been extensively studied for their
antioxidant and anticancer properties. Although many in vivo and
clinical trials have been conducted using these compounds, their
biochemical and chemical mechanisms of efficacy are the focus of much
current research. This review discusses the ability of inorganic
selenium compounds, such as selenite, and selenate, to prevent damage
from reactive oxygen species as well as their ability to promote cell
death by reactive oxygen species generation. Oxo-sulfur and selenium
compounds, such as allicin, dimethyl sulfone, methionine sulfoxide,
and methylselenenic acid also have similar abilities to act as both
antioxidants and pro-oxidants, but the mechanisms for these behaviors
are distinctly different from those of the inorganic selenium
compounds. The antioxidant and pro-oxidant properties of these
small-molecule sulfur and selenium compounds are extremely complex
and often greatly depend on experimental conditions, which may
explain contradictory literature reports of their efficacy.
PMID: 20632128 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
END QUOTE
BEGIN QUOTE
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009 May;18(5):1419-28.
Associations of herbal and specialty supplements with lung and
colorectal cancer risk in the VITamins and Lifestyle study.
Satia JA, Littman A, Slatore CG, Galanko JA, White E.
Source
Department of Nutrition and Epidemiology, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Abstract
Millions of Americans use dietary supplements with little knowledge
about their benefits or risks. We examined associations of various
herbal/specialty supplements with lung and colorectal cancer risk.
Men and women, 50 to 76 years, in the VITamins And Lifestyle cohort
completed a 24-page baseline questionnaire that captured duration
(years) and frequency (days per week) of use of commonly used
herbal/specialty supplements. Dose was not assessed due to the lack of
accurate potency information. Supplement exposure was categorized as
"no use" or "any use" over the previous 10 years. Hazard ratios (HR)
were estimated by multivariate Cox regression models. Incident lung
(n = 665) and colorectal cancers (n = 428) were obtained from the
Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry. Any use of
glucosamine and chondroitin, which have anti-inflammatory properties,
over the previous 10 years, was associated with significantly lower
lung cancer risk: HR 0.74 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.58-0.94]
and HR 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54-0.96) and colorectal cancer risk: HR 0.73
(95% CI, 0.54-0.98) and HR 0.65 (95% CI, 0.45-0.93), respectively.
There were also statistically significantly inverse associations of
fish oil: HR 0.65 (95% CI, 0.42-0.99),methylsulfonylmethane: HR 0.46
(95% CI, 0.23-0.93), and St. John's wort: HR 0.35 (95% CI, 0.14-0.85)
with colorectal cancer risk. In contrast, garlic pills were associated
with a statistically significant 35% elevated colorectal cancer risk.
These results suggest that some herbal/specialty supplements may be
associated with lung and colorectal cancer risk; however, these
products should be used with caution. Additional studies examining
the effects of herbal/specialty supplements on risk for cancer and
other diseases are needed.
PMID: 19423520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC2814533
Free PMC Article
END QUOTE
BEGIN QUOTE
Anticancer Res. 2003 Jan-Feb;23(1A):453-8.
Aspirin and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM): a search for common
mechanisms, with implications for cancer prevention.
Ebisuzaki K.
Source
Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and of Biochemistry,
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A-5C1, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), a prototypic nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and MSM, a "nutritional supplement",
are both used in the treatment of arthritis and described as cancer
chemopreventive agents. Initial experimentation indicating that aspirin
and MSM also induced the differentiation of murine erythroleukemia
(MEL) cells led to a search for common mechanisms involving these two
agents.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Since the major mechanism of action attributed to aspirin is the
inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX), prostaglandin (PG) production was
examined under differentiation-inducing conditions in MEL cells.
RESULTS:
Aspirin at low, nontoxic concentrations induced differentiation leading
to terminal cell division. Aspirin had no effect on PGE2 production and
minimal inhibitory effect on COX activity. Furthermore, salicylate, a
major metabolite of aspirin and an ineffective COX inhibitor, induced
differentiation at concentrations comparable to aspirin. Similar
experiments with MSM indicated that MSM had no effect on PGE2
production or on COX activity under differentiation--inducing
conditions and at concentrations reported in other studies.
CONCLUSION:
These experiments indicated that aspirin and MSM induced
differentiation by a COX-independent mechanism(s) and suggested that a
common mechanism for the chemopreventive action invoked by both agents
might be the activation of gene functions leading to differentiation
and thereby dismantling the cellular capacity for proliferation.
PMID: 12680248 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
END QUOTE
There are 2 other much older studies on related topics.
IMPORTANT: NOTE THAT I HAVE ***NOT*** FOUND ANY WORK
INDICATING IF THIS MIGHT BE POISONOUS OR NOT FOR MEMBERS
OF CARNIVORA AND THERE ARE ***MANY*** HUMAN OTCs ALSO SAFE
IN RODENTS THAT POISON CARNIVORA MEMBERS!
Anyone considering use absolutely has to look that up, too.
These titles that come up on a search of this compound and dogs are
suggestive that it PERHAPS CAN BE POISONOUS FOR MEMBERS OF CARNIVORA:
BEGIN QUOTES
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 May 15;236(10):1061-2.
More on accidental overdosage of joint supplements.
Brim TA, Center V, Wynn SG, Springs S, Gray LF, Brown LP.
Comment on
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Mar 1;236(5):509-10.
PMID: 20499441 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Accidental overdosage of joint supplements in dogs.
Khan SA, McLean MK, Gwaltney-Brant S.
J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010 Mar 1;236(5):509-10. No abstract available.
PMID: 20344826 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
END QUOTES
*****There is NO research in ANY mustelids
with Methylsulfonylmethane.*****
What other research does exist? Here are a few:
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2011 Jun 15;253(3):197-202. Epub 2011 Apr 2.
The effect of methylsulfonylmethane on the experimental colitis in
the rat.
Effect of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on exercise - Induced
muscle damage and total antioxidant capacity.
Barmaki S, Bohlooli S, Khoshkhahesh F, Nakhostin-Roohi B.
J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2012 Apr;52(2):170-4.
PMID: 22525653 [PubMed - in process]
10 days, 18 healthy young human males, note the use of the word "seems"
in the conclusion:
CONCLUSION:
It seems that 10-day supplementation with MSM has allowed to decrease
muscle damage via effect on antioxidant capacity.
The "MESACA" study: methylsulfonylmethane and boswellic acids in the
treatment of gonarthrosis.
Notarnicola A, Tafuri S, Fusaro L, Moretti L, Pesce V, Moretti B.
Adv Ther. 2011 Oct;28(10):894-906. Epub 2011 Oct 7.
PMID: 21986780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
RESULTS:
Pain, assessed with the VAS scale, was worse in the group treated with
MSM and BA as compared with the placebo group at 2 months FU (3.8 vs.
2.7; P=0.04), whereas no difference between the two groups was observed
at 6 months FU (2.7 vs. 3.6; P=0.2). No statistically significant
differences were found in the LI between the two groups at either
FU (2 months: 4.8 vs. 4.2; P=0.51; 6 months: 4.4 vs. 4.5; P=0.91).
By contrast, a statistically significant difference in patients need
for anti-inflammatory drugs was seen in the experimental as compared
to the placebo group, even by 2 months FU (0.2 vs. 0.6 tablets/day;
P<0.0001), that persisted up to the end of the study (0.1 vs.
0.6 tablets/day; P<0.0001).
Effect of chronic supplementation with methylsulfonylmethane on
oxidative stress following acute exercise in untrained healthy men.
Nakhostin-Roohi B, Barmaki S, Khoshkhahesh F, Bohlooli S.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2011 Oct;63(10):1290-4.
doi: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01314.x. Epub 2011 Aug 1.
PMID: 21899544 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
found that it helped reduce inflammation
Older studies also found at PubMed with a search on MSM (June 2011 and
older):
Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on osteoarthritis of
the knee: a randomized controlled study.
Effects of diet type and supplementation of glucosamine, chondroitin,
and MSM on body composition, functional status, and markers of health
in women with knee osteoarthritis initiating a resistance-based
exercise and weight loss program.
One on whether and how well soil bacteria can break it down
Two on risky sexual behavior and drug use
One on testing supplements
The effect of methyl sulphonyl methane supplementation on biomarkers
of oxidative stress in sport horses following jumping exercise.
found it useful in reducing oxidative stress in jumpers
There are more
In Indian traditional medicine there is a sulphur salt known as black
salt although it is pink that is sometimes used for some things. I do
not know what sulphur compounds are in it.
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)
On change for its own sake: "You can go really fast if you just jump
off the cliff." (2010, Steve Crandall)
[Posted in FML 7424]
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