Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 May Prevent Toxicity of HIV Drug Therapy

Home > Press > Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 May Prevent Toxicity of HIV Drug Therapy

Abstract:
Zymes' new water-soluble formulation of coenzyme Q10 increases growth and survival of nerve cells exposed to HIV medications which cause nerve damage, as indicated by Dr. Catherine L. Cherry of the Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. The results from this study are being presented at the 2007 Meeting of the International Aids Society in Sydney, Australia.

Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 May Prevent Toxicity of HIV Drug Therapy

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ | Posted on July 26th, 2007

Dr. Cherry studied the safety and effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in
reducing the neurological toxicity of HIV drugs in laboratory models of
drug-induced nerve damage. (see Zymes.com) Nucleoside reverse transcriptase
inhibitors (NRTIs) inhibit replication of HIV and are central to effective HIV
therapy. However, these drugs are potentially harmful to normal cells and can
lead to serious side effects in people on long-term anti-viral therapy.

Two of the NRTIs that are still in clinical use (stavudine and
didanosine) can cause nerve damage (neuropathy). This neuropathy is one of
the most common problems suffered by people living with HIV.

"The treatment of patients with nutrients such as coenzyme Q10 has shown
promise in the prevention and treatment of neuropathy in other diseases and
has been suggested as a way to reduce the nerve toxicity of antiviral drugs.
Until now, we couldn't study coenzyme Q10 because it is insoluble in water.
Zymes' water-soluble Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 allows us to study this
nutrient in our model of neuropathy caused by these HIV drugs," Dr. Cherry
said.

In Dr. Cherry's study, nerve cells from rats were first grown in the
presence of Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 alone. They were then grown in the
presence of Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 plus stavudine and Ubisol-Aqua(TM):
Coenzyme Q10 plus didanosine. The subsequent growth and survival of the nerve
cells were measured using video image analysis.

In these studies, Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 alone was associated with
significantly increased nerve cell growth and survival. Cells grown with
Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 survived at least one week longer than those
grown without it. When cells were grown with stavudine or didanosine alone,
growth and survival was significantly impaired. However, when Ubisol-Aqua(TM):
Coenzyme Q10 was added to either stavudine or didanosine, the toxicity of the
drugs was greatly reduced.

After 19 days, nerve cells grown with Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 plus
stavudine grew and survived like normal cells, whereas cells exposed to
stavudine alone were not growing well. After only 6 days, cells grown with
didanosine alone were dying, but the cells grown with Ubisol-Aqua(TM):
Coenzyme Q10 and didanosine grew and survived like normal nerve cells.

Dr. Cherry stated, "These data support the possibility that
Ubisol-Aqua(TM): Coenzyme Q10 is useful for preventing nerve damage associated
with stavudine and didanosine. Controlled trials are needed to confirm this
in a clinical setting."

"Achieving water solubility of coenzyme Q10 with our Ubisol-Aqua(TM)
technology makes it possible to deliver coenzyme Q10 in a form that improves
its functionality," said Dr. Randi Fain, Co-founder and Executive Vice
President of Zymes LLC, New Jersey, USA. "We believe the technology can
enhance the health benefits of coenzyme Q10 as well as other vitamins,
nutrients and medicines to improve the quality of life for patients."

To achieve solubilization, Ubisol-Aqua(TM) uses complexation and reduced
particle size. Through this combined approach, Zymes delivers previously
water-insoluble compounds as micelles of nanometer size offering many
advantages over existing solubilization technologies. Ubisol-Aqua(TM), a
pioneering nanotechnology, therefore makes possible the solubilization of
water-insoluble biologically active ingredients that would otherwise be
commercially and clinically unavailable.

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About Zymes
Zymes offers its delivery system technology to industry partners in need
of more effective ways of making their ingredients water-soluble and
potentially more bioavailable. For more information email or
visit http://www.zymes.com

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Maria Cartier of Zymes LLC
+1-201-727-1520 ext. 110

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