Optimal HMRlignan Dose Defined

Optimal HMRlignan Dose Defined

ANAHEIM, Calif.New research from the University of Insubria inItaly defines the optimal dose of phytoestrogen-rich Norway spruce lignans toinhibit symptoms of menopause. In the study, researchers established theeffective median concentration value (EC50) of the compound (as HMRlignan,from Linnea), hydroxymatairesinol and its human metabolite enterolactone incomparison to estradiol. All three compounds displayed estrogenic activity inthe MCF-7 breast cell model. Estradiol displayed the highest potency in the pMconcentration range while enterolactone exerted activity in the sameconcentration range as estradiol but with less efficacy (approximately 40percent) than estradiol. Hydroxymatairesinol exhibited a significantly lowerefficacy (approximately 70 percent) than estradiol but only in the microMconcentration range. In addition, the results confirmed a daily dosage 10 mg to30 mg as sufficient to raise circulating enterolactone to estrogenically activelevels.

The researchers concluded both hydroxymatairesinol and its metaboliteenterolactone are endowed with estrogenic activity, which is likely to beexerted through estrogen receptors and to target the same intracellularmechanisms acted upon by estradiol, and noted the estrogenicity ofhydroxymatairesinol and enterolactone is, however, milder than that ofestradiol, as indicated by the lower potencies and efficacies of both lignans.

The present results support the notion that dietary supplementation withNorway spruce lignans provides a suitable source for endogenous enterolactonewhich in turn is likely beneficial for several conditions related to estrogeninsufficiency (e.g., bone and cardiovascular disturbances, as well asmenopause-associated symptoms), and at the same time devoid of the adverseeffects induced by stronger estrogenic agents, said Marco Cosentino, Ph.D.,lead research pharmacologist. Bioavailability studies in humans show that,after oral supplementation with Norway spruce lignans, plasma concentrations ofhydroxymatairesinol and enterolactone occur in the sub-microM range, which arebelow the observed in vitro EC50 (effective median concentration) ofhydroxymatairesinol but well above the EC50 of enterolactone. Therefore, inhumans, hydroxymatairesinol at the currently recommended doses represent mainlya source of enterolactone, which in turn exerts a mild estrogenic activity.

Don Stanek, director of sales for Linnea Inc., also commented on the results:This is great news for women, offering a soft phytoestrogen alternative tohelp manage menopause. HMRlignan offers a highly bioavailable and efficientmethod to boost enterolactone levels. In human pharmacokinetic studies just 10mg to 30 mg of HMRLignan has been demonstrated to maintain enterolactone abovethe EC50 levels established in this study.

For more information, visit www.hmrlignan.com or Booth #1738-1740 atSupplySide East.