28/09/2005
In-vitro Study shows ReGen’s ColostrininTM increases lifespan of Mouse Cells predisposed to Premature Ageing ReGen Therapeutics Plc (‘ReGen’ or the ‘Company’) announces the results of an in-vitro study showing that ColostrininTM increases the lifespan of cells isolated from inbred mice predisposed to premature ageing and therefore, death.
These findings have today been presented as a poster at the 21st International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International taking place in Istanbul, Turkey from 28 September to 1 October, 2005.
Commenting on the findings, Dr. Istvan Boldogh, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at UTMB*, Galveston, Texas, USA, the study’s principal investigator said:
‘This study shows the impact of ColostrininTM on the mitochondria of cells isolated from strains of senescence-prone (SAMP1) and senescence-resistant (SAMR1) mice. The data show that cells from SAMP1 mice produce more ROS, exhibit severe mitochondrial dysfunction, and have a decreased lifespan compared to the cells from SAMR1 mice. Addition of ColostrininTM to SAMP1 cells significantly decreased ROS levels, normalized mitochondrial function and increased the lifespan to levels similar to those in SAMR1 cells. This is an exciting finding that may go toward explaining the cognitive benefits of ColostrininTM seen in clinical studies. In-vivo experiments are now ongoing to test if these effects are evident when SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice are given ColostrininTM’ over their lifetime.’
Continuous low levels of oxidative damage (induced by oxidative stress) to cells play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and other disorders of the central nervous system. The sources of oxidative stress manifested by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mitochondria and are, themselves, targets of ROS attack. Mitochondria are key organelles involved in energy production and the generation of secondary messenger molecules, which, in turn, regulate cells, and also control the process of apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Commenting on the study, Percy Lomax, Executive Chairman, said, ‘Although this was an in-vitro study, the fact that ColostrininTM has in this study shown a positive impact on ageing is a very important finding. If the ongoing in-vivo studies show similar results, this will be a very powerful message, which will support the marketing of ColostrininTM as a nutraceutical. Indeed it could have implications in the longer term for our drug research.’
A complete copy of the poster will be added to the ReGen website (www.regentherapeutics.com) in the next few days.
* ReGen has a sponsored research agreement with the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
For further information, please contact:
Andrew Marshall
Marshall Robinson Roe
0207 960 6007
NOTES TO EDITORS
Background
ReGen’s principal activity is the development of a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and also the development of nutraceutical uses for ColostrininTM.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative and ultimately fatal disease that slowly destroys the brain. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include progressive impairment of cognitive function including memory loss, inability to think abstractly, loss of language function, attention deficit and associated depression, anxiety and agitation. Eventually Alzheimer’s disease sufferers lose the ability to take care of themselves and must be looked after either by family or in residential care homes and hospitals. Ultimately, sufferers become less
resistant to infections and other illnesses, which often become the actual cause of death.
In a 30 week clinical study, reported in the peer reviewed Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2004, it was shown that:
• More than 40% of patients on ColostrininTM were stabilised or improved after 15 weeks of therapy, based on an Analysis of Overall Response
• 33% of patients continued to show stabilisation or improvement after 30 weeks
of treatment, and levels of benefit were slightly higher at the 15-week stage of
the trial
• Efficacy demonstrated in both mild and moderate symptom groups, with greatest
effects seen in earlier stages of the disease
• No drug-related Adverse Events or safety concerns were observed during the trial
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