• diabetes FAQ: treatment (part 3 of 5) (3/3)

    From Edward Reid@21:1/5 to All on Sat Sep 26 00:02:43 2015
    [continued from previous message]

    and hard to remove in the purification of proanthocyanidin that is mutagenic (2).

    No published work could be found on the bioavailability of pycnogenol in particular, but oral ingestion of bioflavanoids in general results in a low bioavailability (3).

    Pycnogenol does cross the blood-brain barrier in rats when given as an intraperitoneal injection (4). The same study seems to indicate that
    pycnogenol can increase capillary resistance and decrease capillary permeability in rats. A clinical study on 25 patients indicated an increase
    in capillary resistance (5). When administered by intraperitoneal injection
    to rats, chemically induced edema of the paw was decreased (6).

    There are no published studies on pycnogenol's interaction with vitamin
    C and
    most of the preventions, aids and/or cures claimed. However, procyanidol oligomers offered no protection for venous disease from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) (7).

    ------------------------------

    Subject: How reliable is the literature cited by the pycnogenol ads?

    Written by Laura Clift.

    Masquelier J, Michaud J, Laparra J, Dumon MC. Flavanoids et pycnogenols. Int
    J Vit Nutr Res 1979;49(3):307-11.

    Article in French. Abstract states that the article describes pycnogenol
    chemically designating the compound as "pycnogenol" to distinguish it
    from
    the hundreds of other bioflavanoinds.

    Uchida S, Edamastu R, Hiramatsu M, et al. Condensed tannins scavenge active oxygen free radicals. Med Sci Res 1987;15:831-2.

    Pycnogenol is a free radical scavenger (anti-oxidant) in vitro
    (outside of
    a living animal, or, in a petri plate).

    Lagrue G, Oliver-Martin F, Grillot A. Etude des effects des oliomeres du procyanidol sur la resistance capillaire dans l'hypertension arterielle et certains nephropathies. La semaine des Hopitaux de Paris 1981; 57:1399-1401.

    French article. Abstract states capillary resistance increased in 25
    patients. No dose amount or route of administration in the abstract.

    Cahn J, Borzeix MG. Etude de l'administration des oligomeres du procyanidoliques chez le rat: Effets observes sur les alterations de la permeabilite de la barrier hematoencephalique. La semaine des Hopitaux de
    Paris 1983;59:2031-4.

    French article. Abstract states that pycnogenol crosses the blood-brain
    barrier in the rat and affects capillary permeability. Route and dose not
    presented in abstract.

    Tixier JM, Godeau G, Rober AM, Hornebeck W. Evidence by in vivo and in vitro studies that binding of pycnogenols to elastin affects its rate of
    degradation by elastases. Biochem Pharmacol 1984;33(24):3933-9.

    Study with (+) catechin and pycnogenol (states they are related
    substances,
    but act differently, including the results of this study). Pycnogenol
    prevents the break down of elastin in vitro and in rabbits.

    Kuttan R, Donnelly PV, DiFerrainte N. Collagen treated with (+)-catechin becomes resistant to the action of mammalian aollagenase. Experentia 1981;37:221-3.

    (+) catechin is not pycnogenol (see above). Study does not investigate
    pycnogenol.

    Reimann HJ, Lorenz W, Fischer M, et al. Histamine and acute hemorrhagic
    lesions in rat gastric mucosa: prevention of stress ulcer formation by (+)-catechin, an inhibitor of specific histidine decarboxylase in vitro.
    Agents and Actions 1977;71:69-72.

    (+) catechin is not pycnogenol (see above). Study does not investigate
    pycnogenol.

    Markle RA, Hollis TM. Rabbit aortic endothelial and medical histamine
    synthesis following short-term cholesterol feeding. Exp Mol Pathol 1975;23:117-23.

    Markle RA, Hollis TM. Variations in rabbit aortic endothelial and medical histamine synthesis in pre- and early experimental atherosclerosis. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1977;155:365-8.

    Hollis TM, Furniss JV. Relationship between aortic histamine formation and aortic albumin permeability in atherogenesis. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1980;165:271-4.

    Does not study pycnogenol or any bioflavanoid. Logic may go like this:
    pycnogenol is similar to (+) catechin which can effect histamines.
    Here are
    some cardiac/circulatory problems that are affected by histamine.
    Therefore, pycnogenol will prevent these diseases. Logic may be OK for a
    hypothesis but is flawed as a conclusion, especially since (+)
    catechin and
    pycnogenol act differently in most studies (see above).

    Feine-Haake G. A new therapy for venous diseases with 3,3,4,4,5,7-hexa-dihydro-flauan. Z Allgemeinmed 1975;51(18):839.

    German article, no abstract translation; chemical name implies
    (+)-catechin
    was studied.

    Blazso G, Gabor M. Oedema-inhibiting effect of procyanidin. Acta Physiol
    Acad
    Sci Hung 1980;56(2):235-40.

    Chemically induced edema of a rat's paw was decreased with
    intraperitoneal
    injections of pycnogenol.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: What's the bottom line on pycnogenol?

    Written by Laura Clift. (refs) point to "pycnogenol references" section.

    All bioflavanoids are anti-oxidants (1,8,9) and may effect capillary hyperpermeability (8,9), inflammations (3,8), and edemas (8). However, there
    is no bioflavanoid deficiency condition, and they have "no accepted
    preventive or therapeutic role in vascular purpura, hypertension,
    degenerative vascular disease, rheumatic fever, arthritis, cancer, or any
    other condition" (9). This was as of 1988; no mention of bioflavanoids is
    made in the 1994 edition of this reference. Most pycnogenol studies and/or claims come from the early 70's to mid 80's. Promising starts are never followed up on. Most later studies seem negative (both pycnogenol and bioflavanoids), especially about the oral route. With all but one study performed in rodents, there is a very definite lack of information on how
    this substance acts in humans and what possible side-effects it produces.

    The sales pitch seems to be taken from the 1985 patent. Filing a medical
    patent doesn't mean the substance is thoroughly studied and its applications are determined. A patent is filed when preliminary studies look
    promising and
    you try to come up with every possibly use for the compound, no matter how
    far out in left field it may be. If you do not hold the patent for the application, someone else could conceivably use your compound for that application and owe you nothing or a very reduced royalty.

    In short, patent claims have no medical significance.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: Pycnogenol references

    Written by Laura Clift. This is the section to which the (refs) point.

    1. Uchida S, Edamastu R, Hiramatsu M, et al. Condensed tannins scavenge
    active
    oxygen free radicals. Med Sci Res 1987;15:831-2.

    2.Yu CL, Swaminathan B. Mutagenicity of proanthocyanidins. Food Chem Toxicol 1987;25(2):135-9.

    3. Namgoong SY, Son KH, Chang HW, Kang SS, Kim HP. Effects of naturally ocurring flavanoids on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and mixed lymphocyte culture. Life Sci 1994;54(5):313-20.

    4. Cahn J, Borzeix MG. Etude de l'administration des oligomeres du procyanidoliques chez le rat: Effets observes sur les alterations de la permeabilite de la barrier hematoencephalique. La semaine des Hopitaux de
    Paris 1983;59:2031-4.

    5. Lagrue G, Oliver-Martin F, Grillot A. Etude des effects des oliomeres du procyanidol sur la resistance capillaire dans l'hypertension arterielle et certains nephropathies. Las semaine des Hopitaux de Paris 1981;
    57:1399-1401.

    6. Blazso G, Gabor M. Oedema-inhibiting effect of procyanidin. Acta Physiol Acad Sci Hung 1980;56(2):235-40.

    7. Michiels C, Arnould T, Houbion A, Remacle J. A comparative study of the protective effect of different phlebotonic agents on endothelial cells in hypoxia. Phlebologie 1991;44(3):779-86.

    8. Lonchampt M, Guardiola B, Sicot N et al. Protective effect of a purified flavanoid fraction against reactive oxygen radicals. in vivo and in vitro study. Arzneimittelforschung 1989;39(8):882-5.

    9. Shils ME. Modern nutrition in health and disease. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1988. p472.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: Who did this?

    --
    Edward Reid <edward@paleo.org.SPAMNOT>
    Tallahassee FL

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Edward Reid@21:1/5 to All on Sat Sep 26 00:02:43 2015
    [continued from previous message]

    and hard to remove in the purification of proanthocyanidin that is mutagenic (2).

    No published work could be found on the bioavailability of pycnogenol in particular, but oral ingestion of bioflavanoids in general results in a low bioavailability (3).

    Pycnogenol does cross the blood-brain barrier in rats when given as an intraperitoneal injection (4). The same study seems to indicate that
    pycnogenol can increase capillary resistance and decrease capillary permeability in rats. A clinical study on 25 patients indicated an increase
    in capillary resistance (5). When administered by intraperitoneal injection
    to rats, chemically induced edema of the paw was decreased (6).

    There are no published studies on pycnogenol's interaction with vitamin
    C and
    most of the preventions, aids and/or cures claimed. However, procyanidol oligomers offered no protection for venous disease from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) (7).

    ------------------------------

    Subject: How reliable is the literature cited by the pycnogenol ads?

    Written by Laura Clift.

    Masquelier J, Michaud J, Laparra J, Dumon MC. Flavanoids et pycnogenols. Int
    J Vit Nutr Res 1979;49(3):307-11.

    Article in French. Abstract states that the article describes pycnogenol
    chemically designating the compound as "pycnogenol" to distinguish it
    from
    the hundreds of other bioflavanoinds.

    Uchida S, Edamastu R, Hiramatsu M, et al. Condensed tannins scavenge active oxygen free radicals. Med Sci Res 1987;15:831-2.

    Pycnogenol is a free radical scavenger (anti-oxidant) in vitro
    (outside of
    a living animal, or, in a petri plate).

    Lagrue G, Oliver-Martin F, Grillot A. Etude des effects des oliomeres du procyanidol sur la resistance capillaire dans l'hypertension arterielle et certains nephropathies. La semaine des Hopitaux de Paris 1981; 57:1399-1401.

    French article. Abstract states capillary resistance increased in 25
    patients. No dose amount or route of administration in the abstract.

    Cahn J, Borzeix MG. Etude de l'administration des oligomeres du procyanidoliques chez le rat: Effets observes sur les alterations de la permeabilite de la barrier hematoencephalique. La semaine des Hopitaux de
    Paris 1983;59:2031-4.

    French article. Abstract states that pycnogenol crosses the blood-brain
    barrier in the rat and affects capillary permeability. Route and dose not
    presented in abstract.

    Tixier JM, Godeau G, Rober AM, Hornebeck W. Evidence by in vivo and in vitro studies that binding of pycnogenols to elastin affects its rate of
    degradation by elastases. Biochem Pharmacol 1984;33(24):3933-9.

    Study with (+) catechin and pycnogenol (states they are related
    substances,
    but act differently, including the results of this study). Pycnogenol
    prevents the break down of elastin in vitro and in rabbits.

    Kuttan R, Donnelly PV, DiFerrainte N. Collagen treated with (+)-catechin becomes resistant to the action of mammalian aollagenase. Experentia 1981;37:221-3.

    (+) catechin is not pycnogenol (see above). Study does not investigate
    pycnogenol.

    Reimann HJ, Lorenz W, Fischer M, et al. Histamine and acute hemorrhagic
    lesions in rat gastric mucosa: prevention of stress ulcer formation by (+)-catechin, an inhibitor of specific histidine decarboxylase in vitro.
    Agents and Actions 1977;71:69-72.

    (+) catechin is not pycnogenol (see above). Study does not investigate
    pycnogenol.

    Markle RA, Hollis TM. Rabbit aortic endothelial and medical histamine
    synthesis following short-term cholesterol feeding. Exp Mol Pathol 1975;23:117-23.

    Markle RA, Hollis TM. Variations in rabbit aortic endothelial and medical histamine synthesis in pre- and early experimental atherosclerosis. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1977;155:365-8.

    Hollis TM, Furniss JV. Relationship between aortic histamine formation and aortic albumin permeability in atherogenesis. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1980;165:271-4.

    Does not study pycnogenol or any bioflavanoid. Logic may go like this:
    pycnogenol is similar to (+) catechin which can effect histamines.
    Here are
    some cardiac/circulatory problems that are affected by histamine.
    Therefore, pycnogenol will prevent these diseases. Logic may be OK for a
    hypothesis but is flawed as a conclusion, especially since (+)
    catechin and
    pycnogenol act differently in most studies (see above).

    Feine-Haake G. A new therapy for venous diseases with 3,3,4,4,5,7-hexa-dihydro-flauan. Z Allgemeinmed 1975;51(18):839.

    German article, no abstract translation; chemical name implies
    (+)-catechin
    was studied.

    Blazso G, Gabor M. Oedema-inhibiting effect of procyanidin. Acta Physiol
    Acad
    Sci Hung 1980;56(2):235-40.

    Chemically induced edema of a rat's paw was decreased with
    intraperitoneal
    injections of pycnogenol.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: What's the bottom line on pycnogenol?

    Written by Laura Clift. (refs) point to "pycnogenol references" section.

    All bioflavanoids are anti-oxidants (1,8,9) and may effect capillary hyperpermeability (8,9), inflammations (3,8), and edemas (8). However, there
    is no bioflavanoid deficiency condition, and they have "no accepted
    preventive or therapeutic role in vascular purpura, hypertension,
    degenerative vascular disease, rheumatic fever, arthritis, cancer, or any
    other condition" (9). This was as of 1988; no mention of bioflavanoids is
    made in the 1994 edition of this reference. Most pycnogenol studies and/or claims come from the early 70's to mid 80's. Promising starts are never followed up on. Most later studies seem negative (both pycnogenol and bioflavanoids), especially about the oral route. With all but one study performed in rodents, there is a very definite lack of information on how
    this substance acts in humans and what possible side-effects it produces.

    The sales pitch seems to be taken from the 1985 patent. Filing a medical
    patent doesn't mean the substance is thoroughly studied and its applications are determined. A patent is filed when preliminary studies look
    promising and
    you try to come up with every possibly use for the compound, no matter how
    far out in left field it may be. If you do not hold the patent for the application, someone else could conceivably use your compound for that application and owe you nothing or a very reduced royalty.

    In short, patent claims have no medical significance.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: Pycnogenol references

    Written by Laura Clift. This is the section to which the (refs) point.

    1. Uchida S, Edamastu R, Hiramatsu M, et al. Condensed tannins scavenge
    active
    oxygen free radicals. Med Sci Res 1987;15:831-2.

    2.Yu CL, Swaminathan B. Mutagenicity of proanthocyanidins. Food Chem Toxicol 1987;25(2):135-9.

    3. Namgoong SY, Son KH, Chang HW, Kang SS, Kim HP. Effects of naturally ocurring flavanoids on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and mixed lymphocyte culture. Life Sci 1994;54(5):313-20.

    4. Cahn J, Borzeix MG. Etude de l'administration des oligomeres du procyanidoliques chez le rat: Effets observes sur les alterations de la permeabilite de la barrier hematoencephalique. La semaine des Hopitaux de
    Paris 1983;59:2031-4.

    5. Lagrue G, Oliver-Martin F, Grillot A. Etude des effects des oliomeres du procyanidol sur la resistance capillaire dans l'hypertension arterielle et certains nephropathies. Las semaine des Hopitaux de Paris 1981;
    57:1399-1401.

    6. Blazso G, Gabor M. Oedema-inhibiting effect of procyanidin. Acta Physiol Acad Sci Hung 1980;56(2):235-40.

    7. Michiels C, Arnould T, Houbion A, Remacle J. A comparative study of the protective effect of different phlebotonic agents on endothelial cells in hypoxia. Phlebologie 1991;44(3):779-86.

    8. Lonchampt M, Guardiola B, Sicot N et al. Protective effect of a purified flavanoid fraction against reactive oxygen radicals. in vivo and in vitro study. Arzneimittelforschung 1989;39(8):882-5.

    9. Shils ME. Modern nutrition in health and disease. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1988. p472.

    ------------------------------

    Subject: Who did this?

    --
    Edward Reid <edward@paleo.org.SPAMNOT>
    Tallahassee FL

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)