PROTYKIN® STUDY DEMONSTRATES CARDIOPROTECTIVE BENEFITS
Published on: 7/06/2001
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BENICIA, Calif., July 6, 2001 - A new study demonstrates that Protykin®, a 200:1 standardized extract of Polygonum cuspidatum (root), developed by InterHealth Nutraceuticals, protects the heart against arrhythmias that can occur when blood flow is restored after a heart attack. The study was presented at a meeting of the European Society for Free Radical Research that took place June 22-24, 2001 in Rome.
According to the study, Protykin provides protection from post-ischemic arrhythmias by reducing or eliminating oxygen free radicals in the myocardium, one of the layers that form the heart wall. It was conducted by researchers at Creighton University Health Sciences Center (Omaha, NE) and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine (Farmington, CT).
In a three-week study, test animals were divided into three groups. The first group received 50 milligrams per kilogram of weight (mg/kg) of Protykin per day. Another received 100 mg/kg daily. The final group served as a control, receiving no Protykin whatsoever.
The animals treated with Protykin experienced a stepwise reduction in oxygen free radical signal intensity. Within the test groups receiving 50 and 100 mg/kg of Protykin, increased heart rate (tachycardia) and ventricular fibrillation (chaotic, ineffective heartbeat) were reduced from a control value of 92 percent to 42 percent and 25 percent, respectively. As a result of Protykin treatment, both myocardial infarction (tissue death) and the formation of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), a by-product of fat free radicals, were also reduced. An increase in MDA correlates to increasing free radical damage in the body.
"This research clearly demonstrates that Protykin can be extremely effective in reducing the damage that can result from heart attack by reducing the presence of free radicals in the myocardium," stated study's lead researcher, Debasis Bagchi, Ph.D.
Earlier studies have also shown Protykin to be a highly effective phytoestrogen that offers a natural alternative to conventional hormone replacement therapy ("HRT") to help women reduce hot flashes, balance mood swings and promote healthy bone density. Structurally and functionally similar to steroidal estrogens produced by the body, the phytoestrogens in Protykin binds to Human Estrogen Receptors and enhance estrogen-like activity in the body. One study found that phytoestrogens increased bone mineral content and density in postmenopausal women receiving just 100 micrograms per day-1/400th the amount of phytoestrogen soy isoflavones typically recommended as a dietary supplement.
It is important to note that because Protykin was the product used in these studies, the results cannot be applied to other similar supplements. Protykin is a proprietary ingredient developed by InterHealth Nutraceuticals. InterHealth Nutraceuticals researches, develops, markets and distributes specialty nutritional ingredients, which are sold worldwide to manufacturers of dietary supplements and nutraceutical food and, beverage products. In addition to Protykin, InterHealth is the maker of CitriMax®, UC-IIT, L-OptiZinc® and ChromeMate®. For more information about the company and its products, including a copy of the FASEB study abstract, call 1-800-783-4636 or 1-707-751-2800 (outside U.S.) or visit the website at www.InterHealthUSA.com.
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