A Health Promoting and Anti-Aging Nutraceutical Product Oxygen metabolism is essential
for life.
Oxygen metabolism is not only essential for respiration;
it is also an effective mechanism that controls the natural defence system
at the cellular and tissue level (1). The oxygen derivatives produced
by cells are essential for the anti-microbial and immune (innate and adaptive)
defences. Under "normal" conditions, these free radicals must
be considered cell-transducing signals that control the basic expression
of different genes and proteins that control "normal cell physiology".
Gene and cellular functions responsible for maintaining human health are
principally controlled by intra-cellular mechanisms of oxygen-reduction
(redox). However, the uncontrolled production of these oxygen free radical
species leads to the development of inflammatory and/or degenerative diseases.
The delicate balance between intracellular oxidants and anti-oxidants
is regulated at the cellular level by cell-to-cell interactions, hormones,
cytokines and other mediators, thus influencing health, aging and longevity.
Free radicals and/or chemical related compounds, when produced in excess,
are responsible for cellular toxicity and contribute to the longterm development
of most inflammatory-related diseases. In fact, the molecular and cellular
activities of free radicals are highly dependent upon the threshold of
production of these chemical entities.
Under "normal" conditions the potential excess production of
free radicals is buffered by anti-oxidant enzymes and/or quenching molecules.
The disturbance of the delicate equilibrium between oxidant and anti-oxidant
molecules is mainly initiated by pathogens (virus, bacteria etc.) and/or
antigens (nutritional products, allergens, vaccine etc.) and is regulated
positively or negatively by various immune reactions (2,3).
The majority of free radical actions can be divided
in seven Immuno-Redox overlapping categories:
1. cytokine, growth factor, hormone and mediator action and secretion,
2. ion transport,
3. alteration of cell signalling,
4. transcription,
5. gene activation and/or repression,
6. alteration of mitochondrial functions, and
cell death by apoptosis
These observations led to the development
of a large number of anti-oxidant products (nutrients and drugs). However,
until now the development of these products has not been optimal for two
main reasons. Previous products often had poor bioavailability, and the
complexity of the dynamic equilibrium between free radicals and the related
anti-oxidants has always been underestimated.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD):
Among anti-oxidants, the Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
enzyme family (4,5) appears to be the most potent system to revitalize
and reduce the rate of cell destruction. It promotes the removal of the
super-oxide anion free radical by dismutation and therefore constitutes
an important system for protecting cells and tissues against degeneration
and death.
Zinc and copper also aid the body’s utilization of SOD. SOD levels
tend to decline with age, while free radical production increases. Supplemental
SOD’s potential as an anti-aging treatment is currently being explored.
There are three chemical variants of this enzyme in mammals. The two copper/zinc
forms are the cytoplasmic and the extracellular Cu/Zn-SOD. These two kinds
of Cu/Zn-SOD neutralize the production of free radicals resulting from
normal and/or adaptive metabolic activities that take place in the cytoplasm
of the cells and in other biological fluids. The manganese form (Mn-SOD)
is active in the mitochondria, organelles within the cells where energy
is produced.
SOD occurs naturally in barley grass, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage,
wheat grass, melon and most green plants. Bovine-derived SOD has also
been used as a therapeutic agent, and it is also available in nutritional
supplement forms. However, to produce health effects, SOD nutritional
supplements must be protected against the digestive process in the stomach.
In addition, it must be absorbed in its native form at the small intestine
to elicit its pharmacological properties.
GliSODin® : the first SOD deliverable by the oral
route
SOD’s are proteins with very
specific shapes that determine the enzyme's function. When exposed to
the acidic environment of the stomach and to digestive enzymes, SOD’s
lose their specific shape, destroying its functionality. This is why it
has been difficult to produce an oral SOD active nutritional supplement
(6).
These anti-oxidant enzymes have now
been coated in a protective vegetal prolamine (wheat gliadin) layer that
not only prevents the stomach’s digestion but also promotes the delivery
of the bioactive molecule in the small-intestine mucosa (patent FR 2 729
296, WO 96 21 462: EP 804 225, US 6 045 809 and JP 520 616).
Orally deliverable SOD is manufactured by combining a vegetarian source
of SOD with a wheat-based biopolymer (gliadin).
Orally deliverable SOD is the first functional health food SOD delivered
by the oral route that vitalizes the body’s anti-oxidant activity.
· GliSODin® formula:
GliSODin® (in 100 g)
Mineral content 0.05 g
Carbohydrates 91.6 g
Protein 2.6 g
· Dosage
GliSODin® : 250 mg two times daily, taken with meals
· Contra-indications
Allergy to gluten or to any other constituent of
the dietary product
Not for pregnant women and young children (from 0 to 4 years of age)
· Indications of supportive function in the
prevention and alleviations of symptoms of :
inflammatory, hepatic, allergic, metabolic, cardiovascular,
and neurological disorders
· Safety
The orally deliverable SOD appears to be well tolerated.
The product has no acute or chronic toxicity.
