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A Novel Formulation Targeting Heavy Metal and Xenobiotic Detoxification Through the Upregulation of Metallothionein

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A Novel Formulation Targeting Heavy Metal and Xenobiotic Detoxification Through the Upregulation of Metallothionein A Novel Formulation Targeting Heavy Metal and Xenobiotic Detoxification Through the Upregulation of Metallothionein Scientific evidence linking long-term exposure to CHELATION THERAPY heavy metals with a growing number of adverse The prevailing therapeutic option for heavy metal health effects has been reported in peer-reviewed decontamination is chelation therapy (CT). CT involves literature with increasing frequency. Heavy metals, the injection or ingestion of a chelating agent which defined as those metallic elements with a specific binds with heavy metals, rendering them less gravity at least five times that of water, are common chemically active. Once bonded, the metal enters in nature and exposure may come from either the bloodstream, where it is eventually excreted in occupational or residential sources. the urine. Common chelating agents include In trace amounts, certain metals, including ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA), manganese, iron, copper, nickel, cobalt, zinc, dimercaprol (also called British Anti-Lewisite or cadmium, magnesium, and calcium are necessary BAL), succimer, and dimercaptosuccinic acid for normal physiological function. However, chronic (DMSA). CT is also used as a treatment for cardio- exposure to some of these same elements at higher vascular disease and is currently under evaluation levels can affect nearly all organ systems and result by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as a in significant illnesses and reduced quality of life. treatment for post-myocardial infarction patients.5 The heavy metals lead and cadmium are among the Disadvantages of CT. Although effective for treating top seven hazardous substances included on the U.S. arsenic, lead, iron, mercury, and aluminum poisoning, Department of Health and Human Services 2007 CT is not effective for treatment of cadmium CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances.1 poisoning. Additionally, these therapies are not without predictable side effects. For instance, the Lead. Lead toxicity can affect nearly every organ and nature of the lipophilic compounds used in CT may body system, but especially the central nervous enhance the removal of vitamins and minerals that system. Chronic lead exposure has been linked are essential for health. Also, while they may decrease with weakness in fingers, wrists and ankles; high blood intracellular levels of heavy metal, they may also pressure, anemia, brain, kidney, and reproductive redistribute toxic metals to other organ systems.6,7 damage. In the United States, the removal of lead from gasoline and most paints, ceramics, and pipes CT can be time-consuming and expensive, and has led to a sharp decline in blood lead levels in unsatisfactory compliance with CT has been the general population. However, lead poisoning reported.8 For example, iron CT may require 8-12 remains a significant threat for certain subpopulations, hour infusions 5-7 times a week and may cost as including individuals who live in older homes or much as $35,000 (USD) annually.9 who may be exposed to occupational sources of lead, and young children, who are more vulnerable METALLOTHIONEIN: A NATURAL CHELATING AGENT to the effects of lead poisoning.2 Increasing awareness of the effects of heavy metal Cadmium. Chronic exposure to high levels of toxicity combined with limited therapeutic options cadmium has been linked with central nervous has created a market need for a safe and effective system damage, intestinal damage, kidney disease, method to detoxify heavy metals without significant and fragile bones. The effects in human children contraindications or side effects. are similar to those of adults.3 However, in a recent The cellular protein metallothionein (MT) plays a study, the offspring of animals exposed to high crucial role in the chain of activities leading to the levels of cadmium displayed changes in behavior excretion of toxic metals. It also serves to transport and learning ability.4 Predominant sources of zinc and copper. The body’s natural chelating agent, cadmium include cigarette smoke, batteries, paint, MT efficiently binds to several toxic metals, especially plastics, workplace air (in facilities where cadmium cadmium and mercury, for delivery to the liver or is used), and contaminated air and water.3 kidneys for conjugation and excretion. MT further © Copyright 2008 Functional Medicine Research Center 1 serves to prevent the reaction of toxic metals with Figure 1: Metallothionein mRNA other biomolecules, thereby attenuating their 10 toxicity. Established literature indicates ) n 60 11 o i upregulation of MT with zinc supplementation. t c u 50 d n Regulation and Mechanism of Metallothionein. I d 40 l Downregulation of Protein Kinase C (PKC) results o F ( 30 in increased phosphorylation of Metal A N Transcription Factor 1 (MTF-1), leading to R m 20 2 increased expression of MT in mRNA. MTF-1 / 1 12 induced MT binds to metal within the cell. Once T 10 M metal is mobilized by MT, it is transported through 0 the cell membrane and to the liver. In the liver, the v1 v2 v3 v4 v5 v6 metal undergoes conjugation with glutathione Visits (phase II detoxification) and is transformed into a In a clinical evaluation of the proprietary formulation, mercapturate. The metal mercapturate is then metallothionein mRNA levels increased an average of ready to be excreted. 37-fold. Safety evaluation. Formula safety was evaluated by RECENT STUDY RESULTS monitoring tests, including comprehensive A clinical study measured the efficacy of a novel metabolic profile (CMP); cell blood count (CBC); formulation consisting of zinc and andrographis, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT); and a review turmeric, and hops botanicals. The formulation was of vital signs, symptom surveys, and adverse event found to modulate the regulation of genes associated reports. No changes in basic labs including with biotransformation and detoxification; specifically hematology, electrolytes, and liver and kidney the genes associated with metallothionein function were demonstrated through the study. production. However, 2 subjects reported minor symptoms, including headache and mild gastric upset. The 14-day study was conducted at the Functional Medicine Research Center—the clinical research Result highlights. MT mRNA levels increased an average arm of Metagenics—and included 9 adult subjects. of 37-fold, significantly higher than the results Within the study design, no dietary or lifestyle reported by an earlier study of zinc alone.11 (See modifications were required other than avoidance Figure 1.) Significant increases in urinary excretion of ethanol alcohol. of cobalt, tin, lead, cadmium, barium, and arsenic were observed. (See Figure 2.) Excretion of other Methodology. Each subject received a proprietary minerals (sulfur, magnesium, calcium, zinc, selenium, formulation consisting of zinc citrate (1.67 mg), potassium, iron, and copper) did not increase Andrographis paniculata extract (50 mg), appreciably during the study, but an upregulation curcuminoids from Curcuma longa (50 mg), and a in the excretion of manganese was observed. A 9-fold proprietary blend of polyphenolic-rich hops (Humulus increase in the excretion of mercury was seen in 2 lupulus) and Luduxin®* (887 mg). Dosing was 3 of the 9 study patients. tablets twice daily with food for a total of 10 days. Subjects were evaluated at baseline, Day 3, Day 6, Day 8, Day 10 (end of dosing), and Day 14 (washout). Efficacy evaluation. Formula efficacy was measured by changes from baseline in the gene expression (mRNA levels) of MT using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technology. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by measuring heavy metal excretion through urine. 2 © Copyright 2008 Functional Medicine Research Center Figure 2: Excretion of Chemically-Important Metals 5. National Institutes of Health. National Center for in Urine Relative to baseline Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Trial To Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT). http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2002/chelation/q-and-a.htm. Cobalt Accessed 2/14/08. Tin 6. Anderson O. Chemical and biological considerations s l Lead in the treatment of medical intoxications by a t e chelating agents. Mini Rev Med Chem. M Cadmium 2004;4(1):11-21. Barium 7. Kalia K, Flora SJ. Strategies for safe and effective Arsenic therapeutic measures for chronic arsenic and lead poisoning. J Occup Health. 2005;47(1):1-21. 0 123 Fold Excretion 8. Hershko CM, Link GM, Konijn AM, Cabantchik ZI. Iron chelation therapy. Curr Hematol Rep. 2005;4(2):110-6. CONCLUSIONS 9. Payne KA, Desrosiers MP, Caro JJ, et al. Clinical and A novel formulation consisting of zinc and key economic burden of infused iron chelation therapy in botanicals involved in the regulation of gene the United States. Transfusion. 2007;47(10):1820- expression associated with biotransformation and 1829. detoxification has been shown to increase the 10. Andrews GK. Regulation of metallothionein gene expression of metallothionein mRNA and excretion expression by oxidative stress and metal ions. of clinically relevant toxic metals, with minimal Biochem Pharmacol. 2000;59(1):95-104. effect on nutrient compounds. Based on in vitro and clinical study results, this formulation naturally, 11. Aydemir TB, Blanchard RR, Cousins RJ. Zinc supple- mentation of young men alters metallothionein, zinc and without significant side effects, upregulates transporter, and cytokine gene expression in production of metallothionein proteins in the body leukocyte population. Proc Natl Acad Sci U.S.A. supporting the clearance of certain
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