Imagenetix reports promising in vitro data for inflammation compound

Among the main findings is that 1-tetradecanol complex (1-TDC) significantly inhibited the growth of actinomyces viscosus, a microbe that has been shown to play a major role in oral microbial ecosystems.

Actinomyces viscosus has been shown to be associated with periodontal disease and other inflammatory diseases. It is thought that the bacteria stimulates the release of arachidonic acid from cellular membranes, leading to the secretion of thromboxane A2 and PGE2, potent inflammatory cytokines.

1-TDC also significantly inhibited the growth of staphylococcus aureus, a microbe associated with opportunistic infections leading to sepsis. This finding is important due to the outbreak of the numerous methacillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections around the world. This is also important as atherosclerosis and sepsis share many pathophysiological similarities which are involved in immune function and systemic inflammation.

In addition, 1-TDC significantly inhibited thromboxane A2 production in human recombinant cells. The reduction in thromboxane A2 synthase activity was confirmed in a separate study in which thromboxane synthase receptor inhibition was evident after exposure to 1-TDC.

These data demonstrate that this proprietary complex plays a vital role in the regulation of thromboxane A2 production from aracidonic acid metabolism at the cell membrane. The pathogenesis of numerous cardiovascular, pulmonary, inflammatory and thromboembolic diseases may be related to arachidonic acid metabolites.

“The significant findings from these studies form the basis for our patent filing on the treatment of inflammatory conditions including periodontal and cardiovascular diseases,” commented Dr Robert Hesslink, director of R&D at Imagenetix. “We anticipate further developments in this area over the next 12 to 18 months.”