News
 

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May 2008- Researchers from Taiwan announced the results from a study in which Resveratrol prevented and/or treated a drug resistant and deadly form of pneumonia in rodents. The researchers concluded that "these findings suggest that Resveratrol might be beneficial as a...treatment in patients at risk" from this form of pneumonia in addition to Resveratrol's "diverse biological effects including anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-diabetes, and cancer chemoprevention".
 

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May 2008 - GlaxoSmithKline announced its intention to buy Sirtris Pharmaceuticals for $720 million. Sirtris is a global leader in resveratrol drug research and development. It is currently testing a resveratrol drug, SRT501, to treat type 2 diabetes. Based on past studies, many believe that resveratrol can & will be used to treat diseases of aging such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease in the very near future. By paying an 84% premium for Sirtris (from the 4/22/08 closing stock price), Glaxo is signaling that it believes resveratrol & sirtuin activation present Very promising avenues for new therapies.
 

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April 2008 - Sirtris Pharmaceuticals announced the results from a new study that confirms that over-expression of the SIRT1 enzyme can suppress tumor formation and growth in a preclinical mouse model of colon cancer. This is the first in-vivo data showing that SIRT1 can suppress tumor cell development. Resveratrol is a known activator of SIRT1. This is just another indication that Resveratrol may be used to prevent and fight cancer in the very near future.
 

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April 2008 - Sirtris Pharmaceuticals announced its formulation of Resveratrol lowers glucose in twice daily dosing trial. The company tested either 1.25 or 2.5 grams of Resveratrol given twice daily to Type 2 Diabetic patients and found that the patient group receiving 2.5 grams twice a day had statistically significant lower blood glucose levels while fasting and after meals (an important time for Type 2 Diabetics who need better control of blood sugar levels after eating). The 1.25 gram dosage twice a day showed a strong trend is lowering blood glucose levels while fasting and after meals as well. This is just more evidence that Resveratrol may be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes in the very near future.
 

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March 2008 - Researchers at the University of Rochester announced the results of a new study where Resveratrol kills pancreatic cancer cells while protecting healthy cells from radiation treatment; Resveratrol acts by disabling the cancer cell's mitochondria (i.e. its power source). According to the study's lead author, Dr. Paul Okunieff, "Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive". According to Dr. Okunieff, "this research indicates that resveratrol has a promising future as part of the treatment for cancer."
 

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March 2008 - British researchers announced that Resveratrol protects against cellular damage to blood vessels caused by high production of glucose in diabetes. These elevated levels of glucose can cause heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. Dr. Matt Whiteman, lead researcher, stated, "...our research shows the link between high levels of glucose, its damaging effect on cell structure, and the ability of resveratrol to protect against and mend that damage.” This is just the latest in a line of research that shows Resveratrol might very well be used to treat diabetes in the near future.
 

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March 2008 - Spanish researchers announced that red wine compounds including Resveratrol reduced blood pressure and created healthier blood vessels in post menopausal mice. The red wine compounds were given orally to the mice. The mice that were not given Resveratrol etc. did not see the same health benefits. Women who go through menopause are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure than men of same age. The researchers wrote, "The present findings may help to explain the potential benefit of red wine polyphenols as a therapeutic agent for preventing menopausal vascular complications...especially in hypertensive women."
 

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February 2008 - David Sinclair of the Harvard Medical School plans to present data showing SIRT1 activation can suppress tumor formation and growth in the colon and intestine in a preclinical model. This is the first in-vivo data showing that SIRT1 over-expression can suppress tumor formation and growth. This data is the work of Sinclair and Leonard Guarente of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Resveratrol is a molecule that is proven to increase SIRT1 activation.
 

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February 2008 - Researchers at UCLA engineered mice to have defective mitochondria (the 'power plants' of the cell). In about Half the normal time these mice developed heart disease. Scientists speculate that damaged and dying mitochondria are responsible for many diseases of ageing - including heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and diabetes. Studies have shown that Resveratrol can dramatically increase the number of mitochondria in cells.
 

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January 2008 - A Scientist at the University of Rochester discovered that cigarette smoke destroys the SIRT1 gene in lungs. With SIRT1 gone, lungs are vulnerable to inflammation and diseases such as chronic bronchitis / emphysema - otherwise known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Resveratrol can significantly increase the activity of SIRT1 genes. Could Resveratrol be used to help prevent lung damage from smoking?
 

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January 2008 - Sirtris Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SIRT) announced that its version of Resveratrol "significantly" lowered glucose (in an oral glucose tolerance test) in HUMANS with Type 2 diabetes. Doses of 2.5 or 5 grams were administered orally once a day for 28 days. The patients experienced "no serious adverse events and no dose related adverse events" - in other words, Resveratrol was well tolerated by the patients.
 

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This study is significant because it shows that Resveratrol might well be used to treat type 2 diabetes in the near future and that it seems to be well tolerated by patients at large doses (2.5 to 5 grams per day). Smaller doses might have the same beneficial effects as indicated by an October study where the equivalent of 15 mg./day of Resveratrol effectively increased insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice.
 

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November - It was reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that resveratrol injected into female mice who were exposed to toxins found in cigarettes, car exhaust, and fossil fuel smoke prevented the reduction of eggs in their female offspring (It has been known for years that mothers who smoke are more likely to have less fertile children. Maybe resveratrol can play a role in treating this problem).
 

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November - During a November 12th 2007 conference call with analysts, Sirtris Pharmaceuticals CEO, Christoph Westphal stated, "There is a wealth of data regarding resveratrol and SIRT1 activation for the treatment of cancer. There's actually nearing 20 papers published on that...we actually think that SIRT1 activation, specifically resveratrol on its own and, then, even you go back to the calorie restriction literature which has a wealth of data related to prevention and actual treatment of cancer. We think it is a pretty strong case". [that resveratrol induced or caloric restriction induced SIRT1 activation can be used to prevent/treat cancer]
 

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October - A group of Chinese scientists announced that mice fed a "very low dose" of resveratrol experienced increased insulin sensitivity (decreased insulin sensitivity is often attributed as the leading cause of type 2 diabetes). According to Qiwei Zhai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, "people might need...about 15 mg. [of resveratrol each day]...for its biological effects". 15 mg. per day is a much smaller effective dose required to activate SIRT 1 than suggested by some other recent studies.
 

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October - It was reported in the LA Times that nine human colon cancer patients took resveratrol (either in 20 mg. tablets or as freeze dried grape powder 2 or 3 times per day - equalling 2/3 to 1 lb. of fresh grapes) between their diagnosis and surgery. Preliminary results from six patients showed that changes in cellular metabolism (which occur in more than 85% of patients with colon cancer) were inhibited by about 50%, with more inhibition occurring in healthy tissue than is cancerous tissue. Might Resveratrol one day be used to prevent colon cancer?
 

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September 2007 - Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham announced the results of a study in which mice that were fed resveratrol were 87% Less Likely to develop the most deadly form of prostate cancer (compared to mice not fed resveratrol). Further, the mice fed resveratrol that did develop prostate cancer developed less serious tumors and were 48 % more likely to have their tumor growth slowed or stopped (compared to the mice not fed resveratrol).
 

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July 2007 - Researchers from Sirtris Pharmaceuticals and the University of Pennsylvania published a study which revealed that resveratrol was neuro-protective in an animal model of optic neuritis (one of the first signs of multiple sclerosis). Could resveratrol one day be used to treat or prevent MS?
 

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July 2007 - Sirtris Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SIRT) announced that its formulation of resveratrol reduced glucose and increased insulin sensitivity in multiple pre clinical models of Type 2 diabetes. Phase 1b studies are currently underway.
 

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July 2007 - Harvard & MIT researchers published a study in which resveratrol "promoted neuronal survival, reduced neuro-degeneration, and prevented learning impairment" in mice genetically engineered to experience neuro-toxic conditions. Neuro-degeneration and learning impairment are conditions associated with Alzheimer's disease and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
 

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June 2007 - Researchers at the Mayo Clinic gave 30 mg/day oral doses of resveratrol to mice that expressed the CD38 gene (this gene is believed to increase the risk of obesity) and also fed these mice a high fat diet for 2 weeks. The mice were Protected from diet induced obesity (unlike other mice in the study who where Not fed resveratrol).
 

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June 2007 - Sirtris Pharmaceuticals announced that Resveratrol was shown in animal models to protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease & Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. According to the company's press release, "Resveratrol, a SIRT1 activator, reduced the loss of neuronal function in the brain (hippocampus) and prevented learning impairment in a well established animal model of Alzheimer's Disease". Might Resveratrol one day prevent or cure Alzheimer's?
 

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June 2007 - The Harvard Men's Health Letter reports that men who drink moderate amounts of red wine ("four to seven glasses per week") are HALF as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The same results could not be found with white wine; it is believed that antioxidant compounds in red wine - such as resveratrol - are responsible for the benefit.
 

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March 2007 - Researchers in New York announced a study that concluded that people who drink three glasses of red wine per week have a 68% reduced risk of colorectal cancer, while white wine drinkers experienced no such benefits. The researchers concluded the difference could be that red wine has significantly more resveratrol than white wine.
 

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March 2007 - Biotech company Sirtris Pharmaceuticals announced it will undertake an initial public stock offering to raise $60 million. Sirtris is developing drugs based on resveratrol to treat type 2 diabetes. Sirtris co-founder, David Sinclair, is a Harvard researcher who has performed much of the groundbreaking resveratrol research since 2003.
 

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November 2006 - French researchers discovered that adding Resveratrol to the diets of mice increased their endurance 100% (versus a control group not fed Resveratrol). The Resveratrol also prevented the mice from gaining weight.
 

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November 2006 - Harvard researchers discover that adding Resveratrol to the diets of obese mice allowed these mice to live 31% longer than a control group not fed resveratrol.
 

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August 2006 - Chinese researchers discovered that feeding Resveratrol to mice afflicted with alzheimers improved their mental performance.
 

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August 2006 - Researchers at Boston University discovered that Resveratrol given to mice increased their insulin utilization. Resistance to insulin is largely responsible for type 2 diabetes.
 

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April 2006 - Indian researchers recently discovered that adding Resveratrol to the diet of diabetic rats improved the rats' kidney function and reduced oxidative stress.
 

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February 2006 - Italian researchers discovered that Resveratrol can extend the life span of a certain fish species up to 50%. Resveratrol also delayed the onset of age related muscle degeneration and memory loss.
 

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July 2005 - An Oregon winery was recently given the authority by the Alcohol, Tax, & Trade Bureau (of the US Treasury Department) to list the concentration of resveratrol on the labels of one of its wines - A FIRST!