New Research Presented at Experimental Biology 2004

New Research Presented at Experimental Biology 2004

WASHINGTONSeveral new studieswere presented at Experimental Biology 2004, held here April 17 to 24, includingresearch on chromium picolinate, lycopene, hyaluronic acid and a fermented typeof Chinese mushroom.

Researchers from Firat University in Turkey presented ananimal study on lycopene (provided by DSM Nutritional Products Inc.), in whichthe antioxidant was shown to reduce the size and incidence of fibroid tumors.Quail were supplemented with either 100 mg or 200 mg of lycopene per kilogram offood, or a basic diet for 10 months. At the end of 10 months, supplemented quailhad 10 percent fewer fibroid tumors compared to quail fed a basic diet. Lycopene supplementation had a dose-dependent response ontumor size, as the size of the tumors was significantly smaller in quailsupplemented with 200 mg of lycopene per kilogram of food. The researchers alsonoted lycopene supplementation had a positive effect on the birds serumconcentrations of vitamins A, C and E and homocysteine.

Animal data was also presented by Nutrition 21 on the safetyand impact of its Diachrome (a combination of chromium picolinate and biotin)on metabolic health in animals, as well as early safety data associated with itsnew patented arginine complex.

The company also presented a scientific overview on the roleof chromium in insulin resistance, demonstrating the mineral is essential forproper insulin function. The researchers reported supplementation with chromiumpicolinate has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity and blood glucoselevels in Type II diabetics and people who are insulin resistant, and it has theability to potentiate the action of insulin to stimulate glucose transport intocells.

Another animal study, supported by Weider NutritionInternational and presented by Alex Schauss, director of the American Institutefor Biosocial and Medical Research (AIBMR), demonstrated radiolabeled hyaluronicacid (HA) is absorbed and distributed to organs and joints after a single oraladministration. Previous data has been limited to studies using injections ortopical applications of HA. This is the first time HA has been reported to beabsorbed orally, which paves the way for HA dietary supplements to be introducedand deliver on anti-aging and joint health promises, said Luke Bucci, Ph.D.,vice president of research for Weider Nutrition.

In a human study presented by Pharmanex Inc. on itsCordyMax, a supplement containing a fermented mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis)grown in Southwestern China, researchers demonstrated it may improve aerobiccapability, exercise metabolism and endurance in healthy, middle-age and elderlyadults. The supplement was seen to increase peak volume of oxygenconsumption (VO2peak, a marker for effective exercise), increase time to VO2peak, improve the time taken to complete a one-mile walk, increase work outputand decrease diastolic blood pressure compared to subjects receiving placebo.