# Porcine Liver Tissue (Sus scrofa domesticus) **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/porcine-liver-tissue **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-31 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Protein **Also Known As:** Sus scrofa domesticus liver, pig liver tissue, domestic pig liver, porcine hepatic tissue, swine liver tissue, processed pig liver matrix, decellularized porcine liver ## Overview Porcine liver tissue supplement contains hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) at 1.07 µg/mg and extracellular matrix components like collagen. Current research focuses primarily on bioengineering applications rather than established health benefits in humans. ## Health Benefits • No clinical evidence exists for health benefits as a supplement - all research focuses on bioengineering applications • Contains hepatocyte growth factor (HGF at 1.07 µg/mg) and other growth factors in processed forms - preliminary evidence only • Preserves extracellular matrix components like collagen I/IV and fibronectin - in vitro studies only • Supports hepatocyte function in laboratory settings - no human trials • Shows low immunogenicity in decellularized form - based on animal model studies only ## Mechanism of Action Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in porcine liver tissue activates the c-Met receptor pathway, potentially promoting cellular regeneration and tissue repair. The preserved extracellular matrix components, including collagen and fibronectin, may support structural tissue integrity. However, bioavailability and activity of these compounds when consumed orally remains unclear. ## Clinical Summary No clinical trials have evaluated porcine liver tissue as a dietary supplement for health benefits. Current research focuses exclusively on bioengineering applications, such as tissue scaffolding and regenerative medicine. Biochemical analysis confirms HGF content at 1.07 µg/mg in processed forms, but human supplementation studies are absent. Evidence for health benefits remains preliminary and limited to in vitro characterization of bioactive compounds. ## Nutritional Profile Porcine liver tissue (Sus scrofa domesticus) in its whole food form contains approximately 26g protein per 100g wet weight, with a complete essential amino acid profile including lysine (~2.2g/100g), leucine (~2.1g/100g), and threonine (~1.1g/100g). Fat content is low at ~3.6g/100g, predominantly phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Carbohydrate content is minimal (~3.8g/100g, primarily glycogen). As a micronutrient source, raw porcine liver is exceptionally rich in vitamin A (retinol, ~6,500 µg RAE/100g), vitamin B12 (~26 µg/100g, >1,000% DV), riboflavin B2 (~3.0 mg/100g), folate (~145 µg/100g), heme iron (~18 mg/100g with ~25-35% bioavailability), zinc (~4mg/100g), copper (~6mg/100g), and selenium (~30 µg/100g). Bioactive compounds include coenzyme Q10 (~35mg/100g), carnitine (~90mg/100g), taurine (~50mg/100g), and [glutathione](/ingredients/condition/detox) (~30mg/100g). In decellularized/processed scaffold form (as used in bioengineering applications), most water-soluble vitamins and small molecules are removed or degraded during processing; what is predominantly retained is the extracellular matrix protein fraction: collagen type I/IV, laminin, fibronectin, and glycosaminoglycans (~15-20 µg/mg dry weight total). Growth factors including HGF (~1.07 µg/mg), EGF, and TGF-β persist in measurable quantities post-processing but bioavailability via oral/supplemental routes is expected to be negligible due to gastrointestinal proteolysis. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges or standardized forms are available, as no studies evaluate porcine liver tissue as an oral or supplemental agent. Research only describes tissue procurement methods for bioengineering purposes. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Safety data for porcine liver tissue supplements is limited due to lack of human studies. Potential risks include allergic reactions to porcine proteins and contamination concerns if sourcing is inadequate. No known drug interactions have been documented, though growth factors could theoretically interact with medications affecting cellular proliferation. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid due to insufficient safety data. ## Scientific Research No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses were identified for porcine liver tissue as a supplement or therapeutic. All available research focuses exclusively on preclinical porcine models, ex vivo perfusion platforms, or bioengineering scaffolds for liver research. ## Historical & Cultural Context No evidence of historical or traditional medicinal use of porcine liver tissue appears in available research. Current applications focus exclusively on modern biomedical uses like tissue engineering and preclinical modeling. ## Synergistic Combinations No synergistic combinations studied, milk thistle, NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin B complex ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is hepatocyte growth factor in porcine liver tissue? Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a protein found at 1.07 µg/mg in processed porcine liver tissue that activates c-Met receptors. It plays roles in cellular regeneration and tissue repair, though oral bioavailability is unknown. ### Are there proven health benefits of porcine liver supplements? No clinical evidence exists for health benefits of porcine liver tissue supplements. All current research focuses on bioengineering applications rather than human supplementation studies. ### How much porcine liver tissue supplement should I take? No established dosing guidelines exist for porcine liver tissue supplements due to lack of clinical studies. Consult a healthcare provider before use as safety and efficacy data are insufficient. ### Can porcine liver supplements cause allergic reactions? Yes, porcine liver supplements may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to pork proteins. Symptoms could include digestive upset, skin reactions, or more severe allergic responses in susceptible individuals. ### What is the difference between eating liver and liver supplements? Whole liver provides complete nutrition including vitamins A, B12, and iron, while processed liver tissue supplements focus on isolated compounds like growth factors. The bioavailability and activity of these processed compounds differs significantly from whole organ consumption. ### Is porcine liver tissue safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding? There is insufficient clinical evidence to determine the safety of porcine liver tissue supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Because animal-derived organ supplements may contain concentrated nutrients and growth factors, pregnant or nursing individuals should consult a healthcare provider before use. No formal safety studies have been conducted in these populations. ### Does porcine liver tissue interact with blood thinners or liver medications? Porcine liver tissue contains bioactive growth factors like hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that theoretically could affect liver function and metabolism, potentially interacting with anticoagulants or hepatically metabolized drugs. No formal drug interaction studies exist for this supplement. Anyone taking blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or liver-affecting medications should consult their doctor before supplementing. ### What form of porcine liver supplement has the best bioavailability—freeze-dried, powder, or capsule? Currently, no comparative bioavailability studies exist for different porcine liver supplement formats. Freeze-dried and powdered forms theoretically preserve more heat-sensitive compounds like growth factors compared to heavily processed versions, but absorption rates from oral supplements depend on gastric pH, digestive enzymes, and individual gut health rather than form alone. Most commercial products are freeze-dried or powdered, though neither has established superiority in human studies. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*