Protandim and Nrf2 on PubMed.gov Again!

"This study examined gene expression using Affymetrix® GeneChips and the relationships among the regulated genes using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis® in cultured human cells treated with Protandim®," said Dr. McCord, Chief Science Officer of LifeVantage and senior author of the study.

Thousands of genes were affected by Protandim® treatment, including prototypical Nrf2-dependent genes such as heme oxygenase-1. Pathway Analysis was utilized to glean insights from the upregulated and downregulated genes, and it revealed that many of the genes affected by Nrf2 activation are relevant to Alzheimer's Disease, atherosclerosis, and colon carcinoma, among other conditions. For the majority of the genes associated with these conditions by pathway analysis, Nrf2 activation in cultured cells regulated the genes in directions that opposed the changes produced by the disease processes.

Further, the study described a bioassay that allows for direct comparisons of efficacy among Nrf2 activators applied to cultured cells. The agents examined included Protandim® and sulforaphane, the well-studied Nrf2 activator found in broccoli, and two pharmaceutical Nrf2-activating products currently in phase 3 human clinical trials. One of these, bardoxolone methyl from Reata Pharmaceuticals/Abbott Laboratories, is a promising candidate for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in type II diabetes patients, based on their reported Phase 2 and Phase 3 human clinical trials to date. The other pharmaceutical product, BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) from Biogen Idec, is a promising candidate for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, based on their reported Phase 2 and Phase 3 human clinical trials results to date. Both pharma products recognize Nrf2 pathway activation as the basis of their physiological activity.

"The early successes of Nrf2 activation in the treatment of diseases as disparate as kidney failure and multiple sclerosis bodes well for the future usefulness of Nrf2 activation, whether managed by pharmaceutical products, dietary supplements such as Protandim®, or by diet itself," said Dr. McCord.

"Protandim® was shown in an earlier human trial to increase antioxidant enzyme production and to eliminate the age-dependent increase in the most widely used marker of oxidative stress," stated Douglas C. Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of LifeVantage. "The current study, as well as other recent studies, have shown that Protandim® may provide benefits to the body that extend beyond its ability to decrease oxidative stress. Scientific publications such as these help raise the profile and expand the awareness of our product, and we look forward to continuing to help a growing number of people achieve their health and wellness goals."