15 replies to this topic

[kevin]

Article on the testing of a neurotrophic factor ependymin, which as well as helping in nerve growth also upregulates super oxide dismutase. The company involved in production of the pill is Ceremedix, a start-up company based in Massachusetts. ( the article calls them 'a giant' in the pharmaceutical industry... they don't even have a website ). They seem to have isolated the active portion of the protein and tagged it with a fatty acid that allows for crossing the blood brain barrier more easily.

MIRACLE PILL

Here's a link to an abstract for a paper that discusses the action of ependymin.

Ependymin Mechanism of Action: Full Length EPN VS Peptide CMX-8933

Could prove to be very interesting.

Edited by BJKlein, 22 July 2003 - 08:52 PM.

[kevin]

Here is a thread about the new anti-aging pill of a brain derived neurotrophic factor called 'ependymin' that is being tested in Scotland by Ceremedix. It has a couple of posts in it regarding a Nobel nomination... pretty presumptuous..

http://www.livejourn.../js7a/1695.html

Ependymin
The Sunday Herald published reports of human clinical trials beginning for ependymin, a protein produced in the brain which stimulates production of natural antioxidants. A huge number of ailments, including heart disease, stroke, and some cancers are linked to the cessation of related antioxidant production. Research suggests ependymin may be the key to turning off the natural suicide clock (an unfortunate product of chordate evolution -- because wolves aren't always around to thin the herd.) Ependymin has already been proven on geriatric mice, and is being manufactured in Taiwan under the name "1152." A very interesting aspect is the intellectual property situation, since, the sequence for ependymin has been public since before 1991, but its natural function came to light considerably later, and the associated patents and applications begin in 1996, and appear at first glance to not contain claims strong enough for monopolization of the treatment.

(What do you think of the 'thin the herd' comment Peter? )

I especially liked this part of the article referenced in the thread..

But, it is a third product which is most likely to capture the public imagination. This is a nutraceutical, something you can buy over the counter of a health food store just like you buy multivitamins. In its raw state it is a white powder -- but will be made into pills. They will not be expensive -- around 70p each is one estimate -- and no lengthy period of trials is required.

...anti-aging for everyone? Could one possibly dare hope?... NAH.. .never happen... and considering how the pharmaceutical companies are attempting to regulate vitamins, it'll probably cost A LOT more than that...

Link to Article

The certainly seem sure of at least it's ability to upregulate the bodies own antioxidants to youthful levels...

[Utnapishtim]

The following claims by ceremedix a biotech company working at northeastern university in Massachussets are so dramatic that I felt they deserved their own threads. What are we to make of such extravagant announcements. Does this have any credibility at all?
....................
LIVING TO 120 WITH EASE
New drug could fight Alzheimer’s, lung disease, even aging

CONTACT: Genevieve Haas: 617-373-5470
(7-3-03) BOSTON, Mass. – A new pill, developed by CereMedix, a biotech startup at Northeastern University, could restore the body’s natural defenses so drastically that people might routinely live to be a healthy 120 years old, researchers say.
The substance, which promotes the production of natural anti-oxidants, is set to be tested in two prescription forms, one designed to repair lung damage from smoking and the other to speed recovery from heart surgery.

In prescription form, the drug could have valuable applications for a wide range of ailments, including Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke and coronary damage, diabetes and virtually any illness that results from oxidative stress. In addition to the two prescription drugs in trial, CereMedix has another version in development: an over-the-counter supplement that would slow aging and increase energy by stimulating the production of natural anti-oxidants.

The idea of using anti-oxidants is not new. Found in fruits and vegetables, the enzymes are known to help repair the body’s natural defenses against aging. Conventional wisdom holds that, to absorb sufficient quantities of anti-oxidants, one would have to eat some 30 pounds of fruits and vegetables per day. But CereMedix – headed by CEO Steve Parkinson and president and lead researcher, Victor Shashoua – has developed a substance that stimulates the production of enough anti-oxidant enzymes to virtually stop the clock on aging.

Parkinson, a Scottish entrepreneur and microbiologist, is wary of claiming that he and Shashoua have discovered the fountain of youth. But Shashoua points out that genetically, humans are capable of living between 120 and 160 years. However, few even come close, he says, because the human body is unable to repair the damage caused by aging.

Initial tests have already shown startling successes. A rat that suffered a stroke was given the medicine and the effects of the stroke were almost completely reversed. Geriatric mice that received the drug were permanently rejuvenated. Preliminary tests even indicate that in cream form, the drug could have a rejuvenating effect on skin, which is big news for cosmetics companies.

CereMedix is part of Northeastern’s molecular biotechnology initiative and occupies 3,000 square feet in Northeastern’s state-of-the-art research facility in the Egan Engineering/Science Research Center.

Northeastern University, a private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a world leader in practice-oriented education. Building on its flagship cooperative education program, Northeastern links classroom learning with workplace experience and integrates professional preparation with study in the liberal arts and sciences. U.S. News & World Report, in its annual guide America’s Best Colleges, 2003, ranked Northeastern University number one in the country among programs that “require or encourage students to apply what they’re learning in the classroom out in the real world.” In addition, Northeastern's career services was ranked #1 by Kaplan Newsweek's Unofficial Insiders Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges and Universities, 2003 edition. For more information, please visit http://www.northeastern.edu.


Northeastern University, a private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a world leader in practice-oriented education. Building on its flagship cooperative education program, Northeastern links classroom learning with workplace experience and integrates professional preparation with study in the liberal arts and sciences. U.S. News & World Report, in its annual guide America’s Best Colleges, 2003, ranked Northeastern University number one in the country among programs that “require or encourage students to apply what they’re learning in the classroom out in the real world.” In addition, Northeastern's career services was top ranked by Kaplan Newsweek's “Unofficial Insiders Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges and Universities in 2002.”

.......................
Source http://www.nupr.neu..../ceremedix.html

[kevin]

It seems the protein ependymin being researched by Ceremedix has a more shadowy side. It is also expressed in several malignant tissues..

-----------------------------------------------
Cancer Lett. 2001 Apr 10;165(1):71-9.

The novel ependymin related gene UCC1 is highly expressed in colorectal tumor cells.

Nimmrich I, Erdmann S, Melchers U, Chtarbova S, Finke U, Hentsch S, Hoffmann I, Oertel M, Hoffmann W, Muller O.

Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie, Otto-Hahn-Strabetae
11, D-44227, Dortmund, Germany.

Normal cells differ from malignant tumor cells in the transcription levels of many different genes. Two colorectal tumor cell lines were compared with a normal colorectal cell line by differential display reverse transcription PCR to screen for tumor cell specific differentially transcribed genes. By this strategy the upregulation of a novel gene was detected designated as 'upregulated in colorectal cancer gene-1' (UCC1). The UCC1 gene transcript level is increased in cultured tumor cells and in two out of three analyzed colorectal tumor tissue specimens compared to normal cultured cells and to corresponding normal tissue samples. Remarkably, the UCC1 protein shows significant sequence similarity to the highly divergent piscine glycoproteins termed ependymins which are synthesized by leptomeningeal fibroblasts and secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid.

PMID: 11248421 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

-------------------------------------------------

So caution must temper the optimism of the effects of this substance..

[hughbristic]

This from KurzweilAI.net:

A new pill developed by CereMedix that promotes the production of natural anti-oxidants could restore the body's natural defenses so drastically that people might routinely live to be a healthy 120 years old, researchers say. http://www.nupr.neu..../ceremedix.html

Hugh

[hughbristic]

Definitely worth asking. One should always be wary of vaporware. Seems to be part of a disturbing trend where scientists go to the press first before publishing in peer-reviewed journals (or perhaps I just missed the reference). What I really don't get is how they plan to market the compound as both a prescription medicine AND an over-the-counter "neutraceutical."

Hugh

[DJS]

I am enthusiastic. However, one must take notice that every potential benefit listed in the article was qualified...

If a break through like this one did happen, it wouldn't surprise me. My own logic is that treatments against oxidation are the first step in immortality. These treatments will hopefully retard or treat the damage aspects of aging.

I would also like further elaboration on the comment regarding the lab mice --AKA, "permanently rejuvenated". What does that mean exactly? If what I have come to understand is correct, then the mice would live very long healthy lives with very little aging. Then, boom...they experience a very rapid deterioration followed by death.

If that is what they mean by "permanently rejuvenated", then this might be the beginning of something.

[ocsrazor]

Hi Gang,

I just took a look at Shashoua's publication record - it is interesting. He has primarily worked on epymendymins, which are neuropeptides thought to be involved in nerve regeneration and remodeling. From the direction of his research, it looks like he may have discovered that a part of these proteins are involved in general signal transduction regulation. The paper trail does not explain the connection to aging, but they may have accidentally discovered some senescence reduction effect while doing experiments on neuroprotection in mice. This would be very interesting because of the targets these proteins affect in the cell signalling system.

The point Hugh makes is pretty confusing in the release, but my interpretation is that they could probably purify this protein from fish fairly easily and sell it as a natural extract without FDA approval. The prescription version would probably be the specific part of the protein that has activity synthesized artificially (which would also probably have much higher specific activity). FDA regs are pretty fuzzy on naturally purified compounds.

That said, the phrase "permanently rejuvenated" is pretty ridiculous. You are not going to permanently rejuvenate anything with a simple drug intervention, but they may have something that could significantly affect the aging process. It will be interesting to watch.

Best,
Peter

[Jay the Avenger]

Just thought I'd share this with everybody:

http://www.nupr.neu..../ceremedix.html

LIVING TO 120 WITH EASE
New drug could fight Alzheimer’s, lung disease, even aging

CONTACT: Genevieve Haas: 617-373-5470
(7-3-03) BOSTON, Mass. – A new pill, developed by CereMedix, a biotech startup at Northeastern University, could restore the body’s natural defenses so drastically that people might routinely live to be a healthy 120 years old, researchers say.
The substance, which promotes the production of natural anti-oxidants, is set to be tested in two prescription forms, one designed to repair lung damage from smoking and the other to speed recovery from heart surgery.

In prescription form, the drug could have valuable applications for a wide range of ailments, including Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke and coronary damage, diabetes and virtually any illness that results from oxidative stress. In addition to the two prescription drugs in trial, CereMedix has another version in development: an over-the-counter supplement that would slow aging and increase energy by stimulating the production of natural anti-oxidants.

The idea of using anti-oxidants is not new. Found in fruits and vegetables, the enzymes are known to help repair the body’s natural defenses against aging. Conventional wisdom holds that, to absorb sufficient quantities of anti-oxidants, one would have to eat some 30 pounds of fruits and vegetables per day. But CereMedix – headed by CEO Steve Parkinson and president and lead researcher, Victor Shashoua – has developed a substance that stimulates the production of enough anti-oxidant enzymes to virtually stop the clock on aging.

Parkinson, a Scottish entrepreneur and microbiologist, is wary of claiming that he and Shashoua have discovered the fountain of youth. But Shashoua points out that genetically, humans are capable of living between 120 and 160 years. However, few even come close, he says, because the human body is unable to repair the damage caused by aging.

Initial tests have already shown startling successes. A rat that suffered a stroke was given the medicine and the effects of the stroke were almost completely reversed. Geriatric mice that received the drug were permanently rejuvenated. Preliminary tests even indicate that in cream form, the drug could have a rejuvenating effect on skin, which is big news for cosmetics companies.

CereMedix is part of Northeastern’s molecular biotechnology initiative and occupies 3,000 square feet in Northeastern’s state-of-the-art research facility in the Egan Engineering/Science Research Center.

Northeastern University, a private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a world leader in practice-oriented education. Building on its flagship cooperative education program, Northeastern links classroom learning with workplace experience and integrates professional preparation with study in the liberal arts and sciences. U.S. News & World Report, in its annual guide America’s Best Colleges, 2003, ranked Northeastern University number one in the country among programs that “require or encourage students to apply what they’re learning in the classroom out in the real world.” In addition, Northeastern's career services was ranked #1 by Kaplan Newsweek's Unofficial Insiders Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges and Universities, 2003 edition. For more information, please visit http://www.northeastern.edu.


Northeastern University, a private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a world leader in practice-oriented education. Building on its flagship cooperative education program, Northeastern links classroom learning with workplace experience and integrates professional preparation with study in the liberal arts and sciences. U.S. News & World Report, in its annual guide America’s Best Colleges, 2003, ranked Northeastern University number one in the country among programs that “require or encourage students to apply what they’re learning in the classroom out in the real world.” In addition, Northeastern's career services was top ranked by Kaplan Newsweek's “Unofficial Insiders Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges and Universities in 2002.” For more information, please visit http://www.northeastern.edu.

[Jay the Avenger]

Some extra information at this link: http://www.sciscoop....6/24/75934/6028

As reported in the Daily Record, a little-known pill being developed which could help people live to the ripe old age of 120 is about to be tested in Scotland. Steve Parkinson, the Scots-born president of US pharmaceutical giants CereMedix, revealed the drug was set for clinical trials in Scotland. He said: "Everyone taking [this] pill will feel better and have more energy. Instead of pumping the patient full of chemicals we will be giving them a more natural drug."



The new pill contains the protein ependymin, which is produced by the brain and stimulates the body into making its own disease-fighting anti-oxidants. These are found in fruit and vegetables and can combat the damage caused to our bodies as we age. Now researchers claim the new pill has the equivalent effect of eating 30 lbs of fruit and vegetables every day.
Intially, however, trials at Edinburgh University will test the drug on those with lung disease. The university's Professor Bill MacNee said it could also have a huge effect on the treatment of Alzheimer's and strokes. "If it works, it will have all sorts of implications, not only for lung conditions but any other disease in which oxidative stress plays a part," he said.

Such oxidative stress disorders include aging: The scientists say the ependymin pill will boost average life expectancy from 75 to 120 years. The drug - currently known only as 1152 (and apparently being developed in Taiwan; what, you want a translation? Good luck understanding it!)- could be available over the counter in less than two years and has already been successfully tested on geriatric mice. CereMedix President Steve Parkinson said, "We are all very excited about this drug for obvious reasons. We are confident that this drug will allow people to live an extra 40 years or more."

[ocsrazor]

Jay, you should merge this thread with Small Company, Big Claim Any objections if I go ahead and do that?

Peter

[Jay the Avenger]

The link you're giving me gives me an error message.

If you want to merge this thread with another thread, go ahead and do it.

[Bruce Klein]

I went ahead and merged the topic. The following was found by Jonesey in the CR mailing list:

---

The latest from the researcher is Adams DS, Hasson B, Boyer-Boiteau A, El-Khishin A, Shashoua VE.

A peptide fragment of ependymin neurotrophic factor uses protein kinase C and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway to activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase and a functional AP-1 containing c-Jun and c-Fos proteins in mouse NB2a cells.

J Neurosci Res. 2003 May 1;72(3):405-16.

The compound here does not have relevance to aging, I believe. It increases energy?

Cheers, Al.

PMID: 12692907 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Mind]

OK, so if a new more powerful antioxidant (or at least a substance that "upregulates super oxide dismutase") has been stumbled upon, how is that supposed to rejuvinate and organism, whether mouse or human? Antioxidants prevent damage, correct? They do not reverse damage that has already occurred, or am I missing something.

[Jay the Avenger]

It says that the anti-oxidant boost gives the immunesystem a boost as well. The immunesystem itself could definately rejuvinate a human, if you ask me.

I'm no expert on the human body, but I don't think you can simply state that anti-oxidants merely prevent damage. The body works a lot more complex than that.

I do know this: the body *can* turn back time for itself.

[DJS]

The Selfish Gene p41:
Dawkins commenting on Sir Peter Medawar's theory of aging

We have already asked what are the most general attributes of a "good" gene, and we decided that selfishness was one of them.  But another general quality that genes will have is a tendency to postpone the death of their survival machine at least until after reproduction....A gene that makes its possessors die is called a lethal gene.  A semi-lethal gene has some debilitating effect, such that it makes death from other causes more probable.  Any gene exerts its maximum effect on bodies at some particular stage of life, and lethals and semi-lethals are not exceptions.  Most genes exert their influence during foetal life, others during childhood, others during young adulthood, others in middle age, and yet others in old age.  (Reflect that a caterpillar and a butterfly it turns into have exactly the same set of genes.)  Obviously lethal genes will tend to be removed from the gene pool.  But equally obviously a late acting lethal will be more stable in the gene pool, provided its lethal effect does not show itself until after the body has had time to do at least some reproducing.  For instance, a gene that made old bodies develop cancer could be passed on to numerous offspring because the individual would reproduce before they got cancer.  On the other hand, a gene that made young adult bodies develop cancer would not be passed on to many offspring, and a gene that made young children develop fatal cancer would not be passed on to any offspring at all.  According to this theory then, senile decay is simply a by-product of the accumulation in the gene pool of late acting lethal and semi-lethal genes, which have been allowed to slip through the net of natural selection simply because they are late acting...

As an aside, one of the good features of this theory is that it leads us to some rather interesting speculations.  For instance it follows from it that if we wanted to increase the human life span, there are two general ways in which we could do it.  Firstly, we could ban reproduction before a certain age, say forty.  After some centuries of this the minimum age limit would be raised to fifty, and so on.  It is conceivable that human longevity could be pushed up to several centuries by this means.  I can not imagine that anyone would seriously want to institute such a policy.

Secondly, we could try to "fool" genes into thinking that the body they are sitting in is younger than it really is.  In practice this would mean identifying changes in the internal chemical environment of body that take place during aging.  Any of these could be "cues" that "turn on" late acting lethal genes.  By simulating the superficial chemical properties of a young body it might be possible to prevent the turning on of late acting deleterious genes.

Maybe the "rejuvenation" that is being witnessed is not the result of reversing oxidation in the geriatric mice, but rather from fooling lethal and semi-lethal late acting genes into remission by creating the body chemistry of a younger body.

*Wild fantasy* This pill could be a two for one deal. 1) Stopping the effects of oxidation before they start (if you start young enough) and 2)repressing late acting lethal genes.

Edited by Kissinger, 23 July 2003 - 09:03 PM.