New research: Can a dietary supplement save lives after severe traumatic brain injury?

The study has shown an association between a medical supplement and increased survival among patients with severe head injuries. Photo: Johnér Bildbyrå.
Patients with severe traumatic brain injury were more likely to survive if they were treated with a dietary supplement enriched with the endogenous protein antisecretory factor (AF). An international study conducted in collaboration between Skånes University Hospital, Lund University and Stellenbosch University in South Africa found an association between treatment with Salovum and improved survival.

A total of 100 patients took part in the randomised clinical trial, which was conducted at Tygerberg Academic Hospital in Cape Town. The aim was to compare mortality among patients who received standard treatment following severe traumatic brain injury with mortality among patients who also received the supplement.

After 30 days, mortality among patients with traumatic brain injury who had been randomised to standard treatment was 39 per cent. Among patients who also received the supplement, mortality was 20 per cent – a reduction of 19 percentage points. No significant adverse events associated with the treatment were observed.

Improved survival

The supplement, Salovum, is a freeze-dried egg yolk powder enriched with high concentrations of the endogenous protein antisecretory factor (AF) and AF-derived peptides. As previous experimental studies have shown that AF can reduce inflammation and cerebral oedema, the researchers chose to investigate the supplment in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

“It is both unusual and encouraging to see a statistically significant improvement in survival among patients with severe traumatic brain injury in a randomised clinical trial,” say Peter Siesjö and David Cederberg, consultant neurosurgeons at Skånes University Hospital and researchers at Lund University who were responsible for the study.

The results have recently been published in the scientific journal Brain. The study was a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial.

Salovum® reduces mortality in isolated severe traumatic brain injury: a randomised phase II trial | Brain | Oxford Academic

More than 70 million people worldwide experience a traumatic brain injury each year. The most severe form is associated with high mortality and substantial long-term morbidity. Despite advances in neurocritical care, cerebral monitoring and neurosurgery, few treatments have been shown to improve survival.

“As neurosurgeons, we treat patients with severe traumatic brain injuries, yet despite advanced intensive care and surgery, our ability to influence the course of the injury itself is limited. The results therefore offer hope,” says David Cederberg.

Peter Siesjö, Adriaan Vlok and David Cederberg.

The association needs to be confirmed

The researchers emphasise that the observed association is promising, but that the results do not provide sufficient evidence to change current clinical treatment recommendations.

“The next step is to investigate whether this association can be confirmed in a larger international study,” says Peter Siesjö, consultant neurosurgeon at Skånes University Hospital and adjunct professor at Linköping University.

New study planned

At the same time, new research is being planned to improve the treatment of patients with traumatic brain injury in South Africa.

“In the study, we combined an experienced clinical research group with a high-volume neurosurgical trauma unit and established a database of more than 8,000 patients with traumatic brain injury. Building on this, we want to continue our research to improve care for patients with traumatic brain injury,” says consultant neurosurgeon Adriaan Vlok, professor of neurosurgery at Stellenbosch University and principal investigator at the South African study site.

In short

  • The study was conducted in South Africa to enable the researchers to recruit a large number of patients with traumatic brain injury within a relatively short period, as severe traumatic brain injuries occur more frequently there than in Sweden.
  • The clinical trial was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Forty-nine patients received Salovum and 51 received placebo (freeze-dried egg yolk powder).
  • The patient groups were comparable in terms of age, injury severity and other prognostic factors. They received the same neurosurgical and neurocritical care, including surgical interventions to control dangerously high intracranial pressure when considered necessary.
  • The “Head Injury Consortium” at Stellenbosch University is planning several future studies on traumatic brain injury in collaboration with Lund University.
  • The study was funded through an unrestricted research grant from Lantmännen Medical AB, as well as grants from Region Skåne, Skånes University Hospital and Lund University. The funders had no influence on the design or conduct of the trial.
Last updated: 2026-09-10