FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Gluck Center Study Documents Anti-inflammatory Activity of Resveratrol in Horses
Product Receives Positive Response from Veterinarians, Trainers, and Owners
Nicholasville, KY, January 12, 2009 - Biological ProspectsTM Equine Health, manufacturer of EquithriveTM brand nutraceuticals, announced today that the University of Kentucky's Gluck Equine Research Center recently has completed clinical studies that document the anti-inflammatory activity of resveratrol in horses. The study was conducted in a herd of 20 geriatric horses located on the University of Kentucky's Spindletop Farm. Resveratrol was administered to horses via the company's proprietary formulation EquithriveTM Joint. EquithriveTM Joint produced statistically significant reductions in circulating levels of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), within 14 days of administration. Blood concentrations of inflammatory mediators remained depressed in treatment group horses for several weeks after administration of the product was ceased.
The Gluck study is one of only a few that has demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of resveratrol in living organisms and the first to document the efficacy of the compound as an anti-inflammatory in horses. "I am pleased to see the clinical results corroborate the positive feedback we have received from veterinarians, trainers and owners over the past year," said Biological ProspectsTM President, Dr. Patrick Lawless. "The capability of resveratrol to reduce the body's expression of genes involved in inflammation supports a growing body of evidence that gene targeting may be the next paradigm in pharmaceutical research and development."
Resveratrol is a natural compound that is present in very low concentrations in grapes, peanuts and blueberries. The compound has successfully completed phase II clinical trials in humans as a treatment for type II diabetes, and phase II clinical trials of the product in patients with various types of cancer are ongoing. Numerous scientific studies have documented the anti-inflammatory activity of resveratrol in cellular models of inflammation.
The anti-inflammatory activity of resveratrol differs considerably from that of conventional treatments such as phenylbutazone ("bute"), flunixin meglumine (Banamine) and firocoxib (Equioxx). These non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) inhibit the inflammatory COX-2 enzyme. Conversely, resveratrol inhibits a nuclear cofactor (NF-kappaB) that is involved in gene expression of inflammatory mediators, including
cytokines, cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases. Hence, resveratrol reduces gene expression of inflammatory mediators, whereas conventional NSAIDs inhibit inflammatory mediators after they have been produced by the body.
EquithriveTM Joint was introduced to the market in December of 2008 and was the first equine product to contain a purified form of resveratrol. The product is available from veterinarians and through the company's website, www.equithrive.com.
Note: The University of Kentucky nor the Gluck Equine Research Center endorse the use of EquithriveTM brand products.
About Biological ProspectsTM:
Biological ProspectsTM develops and manufactures nutraceuticals for companion animals and horses. The company's products are marketed by subsidiaries Biological ProspectsTM Canine Health and Biological ProspectsTM Equine Health. The petsoothicalsTM and EquithriveTM product lines are rapidly becoming recognized as safe, effective therapies to promote healthy joint function and continued mobility in animals with inflammatory conditions such as lameness and arthritis. The company plans on expanding the petsoothicalsTM and EquithriveTM product lines over the coming months.
To learn more please visit www.equithrive.com.
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Contact: Dr. Patrick Lawless Toll Free: 866.721.1412 info@equithrive.com www.equithrive.com
Equithrive 1042 Elizabeth Street, Suite #1 Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356
