Máté Hidvégi

Wheat germ extract decreases glucose uptake and RNA ribose formation but increases fatty acid synthesis in MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

The fermented wheat germ extract with standardized benzoquinone composition has potent tumor propagation inhibitory properties. The authors show that this extract induces profound metabolic changes in cultured MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells when the [1,2- 13 C 2 ]glucose isotope is used as the single tracer with biologic gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. MIA cells treated with 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/mL wheat germ extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell glucose consumption, uptake of isotope into ribosomal RNA (2.4%, 9.4%, and 28.0%), and release of 13 CO 2 . Conversely, direct glucose oxidation and ribose recycling in the pentose cycle showed a dose-dependent increase of 1.2%, 20.7%, and 93.4%. The newly synthesized fraction of cell palmitate and the 13 C enrichment of acetyl units were also significantly increased with all doses of wheat germ extract. The fermented wheat germ extract controls tumor propagation primarily by regulating glucose carbon redistribution between cell proliferation–related and cell differentiation–related macromolecules. Wheat germ extract treatment is likely associated with the phosphorylation and transcriptional regulation of metabolic enzymes that are involved in glucose carbon redistribution between cell proliferation–related structural and functional macromolecules (RNA, DNA) and the direct oxidative degradation of glucose, which have devastating consequences for the proliferation and survival of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in culture.

Effect of MSC on the immune response of mice

The supposed immunostimulatory actions of MSC, a new fermented wheat germ extract standardized to its benzoquinone composition (trade name: AVEMAR) were studied examining blastic transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice treated with MSC. It was found that MSC significantly increased the degree of blastic transformation caused by Concanavalin A. Using the B10LP to C57Bl skin graft system, MSC (0.03 and 3.0 g kg(-1) applied orally) acted in favour of restoring the immune function. On the other hand, 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (DMBQ), applied in equivalent doses (0.012 and 1.2 mg kg(-l)), did not shorten the rejection time of skin grafts. The immune restoring effect, as well as the blastic transformation enhancing potential of MSC may be exploited in various cases of decreased immune response.

AVEMAR (a new benzoquinone-containing natural product) administration interferes with the Th2 response in experimental SLE and promotes amelioration of the disease

The potential of oral treatment with AVEMAR (AVEMAR), a new benzoquinone-containing fermentation product of wheat germ, on features of experimental systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in naive mice, induced by idiotypic manipulation, was studied. We assessed the effect of AVEMAR on the profile of autoantibody production and the response of Th1=Th2 related cytokines as well as the clinical picture of experimental SLE in the SLE-induced mice. When the product was given in the pre-immunization period, down-regulation of autoantibody production (anti-dsDNA, mouse 16=6 Id, and anti-histones) following treatment with AVEMAR was noted (eg anti-dsDNA decreased from 0.898 0.097 OD at 405 nm to 0.519 0.103 OD following treatment). This effect was sustained for at least 4 weeks after discontinuation of the therapy. Serological manifestations associated with a delay in Th2 response (IL-4 and IL-10) were recorded (eg IL-4 decreased from 91.7 8.11 to 59.55 7.78 ng =ml in splenocyte condition media). The mice showed normal ESR, WBC and less than 100 mg/dl of protein in the urine in comparison to > 300 mg/dl protein in the SLE non-treated mice. In conclusion, oral intake of AVEMAR can ameliorate the clinical manifestations of experimental SLE, via affecting the Th1=Th2 network inhibiting Th2 response.

Fermented Wheat Germ Extract (Avemar) Inhibits Adjuvant Arthritis

Abstract:  Anti‐inflammatory efficacy of the fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE, Avemar) in the rat adjuvant arthritis (AA) model was examined. To Wistar rats with AA, different doses of FWGE and anti‐inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, dexamethasone) as monotherapies were administered and FWGE and either diclofenac or dexamethasone were also given in combination. Besides plethysmographies of the paws, histological investigations of synovial tissues were also performed along with detection of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. Gene expressions of COX‐1 and 2 were determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). FWGE monotherapy significantly inhibited the development of the secondary (immune‐mediated) response in AA, and dexamethasone and indomethacin exerted inhibitory effects in a degree comparable to that of FWGE. Histological analysis of the affected joints confirmed the results. FWGE inhibited COX‐1 and ‐2, while indomethacin enhanced COX‐2 gene expressions. FWGE had an additive interaction with diclofenac. It is concluded that FWGE has significant anti‐inflammatory efficacy confirmed by plethysmography, histology, and real‐time PCR.