Genetic Differences Predict Anti Inflammatory Benefits From Nutritional Products

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Genetics;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 26 Sep 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Interleukin Genetics (Amex: ILI) reported in the journal Nutrition that a botanical supplement reduced inflammation more effectively in individuals with genetic variations that are associated with over expression of inflammation and risk for early heart attacks. This is one of few studies that recruited study subjects who have different genetic patterns and tested how they responded to nutritional products or drugs.

The study examined healthy individuals with raised inflammation levels and their response to a 12 week course of botanical treatment. The study found that patients who tested positive for at-risk IL-1 gene variations were more likely to show a decrease in inflammation after botanical treatment than those who tested negative for the IL-1 gene variations. The genetic test identifies people who tend to over-produce IL-1, a powerful mediator of the inflammatory response, and have an increased risk for early heart attacks. The botanical product used in the study was developed by Access Business Group International LLC (an affiliate of Interleukin's majority stockholder, Alticor Inc.), after screening hundreds of plant extracts in the laboratory for their ability to reduce IL-1 production.

"This study supports the principle of nutritional genetics," said Interleukin President and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Kenneth Kornman. "In addition to highlighting the successful use of botanicals to reduce certain inflammatory chemicals, patients treated with the same botanicals showed significantly different results based on their genetics. Although several studies have suggested that genetic differences influence responses to certain nutrients or diets, this study is one of very few that selected individuals with different genetic patterns and then tested how each group responded to either a nutrient or a placebo. It certainly appears to be practical to develop botanical products that have significant benefits for specific groups of individuals based on their genetics."

Patients in the study were given either a placebo or a botanical mix one time each day for 12 weeks. The botanical formulation included rose hips, a blueberry and blackberry mixture and a grape vine extract. Inflammation was measured by chemicals found in the white blood cells, initially taken from patients before treatment. White blood cells were then collected every two weeks. Patients who received the botanical formulation had a greater reduction in the inflammatory response by their blood cells than those receiving the placebo, and the botanical effects were greater in subjects who tested positive for the IL 1 genetic variations associated with over expression of inflammation. In addition, in the genotype positive subjects, significantly more achieved a reduction in blood C reactive protein (CRP) levels with the botanical mixture than with placebo. No CRP effect was observed in the IL 1 genotype negative subjects.

"We have known for many years that individuals respond differently to nutrients depending on their genetics, but this is one of only a few controlled clinical trials in the field of nutritional genetics. This study shows that botanical products may be developed specifically to modulate the biology of people who test positive for certain genetic factors," said Jose Ordovas, PhD, Professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and a member of Interleukin's Scientific Advisory Board. "As with all scientific advances I like to see the data replicated in other studies, but this is the type of study we must do if we are going to guide people to healthier nutrition that fits with their genetics."

For more information on Interleukin please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com

About the Study

This was a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial designed to test effects of botanical formulations versus placebo for reduction of inflammatory chemicals in individuals who are genetically predisposed to over-produce inflammation. Healthy adults with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were stratified into genetic groups based on being either positive or negative for the IL-1 gene variations that are associated with over-expression of IL-1 Beta and increased risk for coronary artery disease events, such as a myocardial infarction. The IL-1 positive and negative subjects were randomized to either a botanical formulation or placebo. The botanical formulation included rose hips, a blueberry and blackberry mixture, and a grape vine extract. This formulation was developed by Access Business Group International LLC by screening hundreds of botanical extracts for their ability to inhibit IL-1 Beta or CRP production. After 12 weeks of dosing with the botanical formulation, the IL-1 Beta gene expression by stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly lower than baseline and significantly lower than placebo in both IL-1 genotype positive and negative subjects. Over the 12 week treatment period, the mean reduction in IL-1 Beta gene expression with the botanical was greater in genotype positive than in the genotype negative subjects. In IL-1 genotype positive subjects, significantly more subjects achieved a reduction in CRP with the botanical mixture than with the placebo. No CRP effect was observed in the IL-1 genotype negative subjects.

About Interleukin

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (Amex: ILI) is a genetics-focused personalized health company that develops preventive consumer products and genetic tests for sale to the emerging personalized health market. Focused on the future of health and medicine, Interleukin uses its leading genetics research and scientific capabilities to develop and test innovative preventive and therapeutic products. Interleukin currently offers an array of Nutraceuticals and OTCeuticals, including Ginkoba(R), Ginsana(R) and Venastat(R) which are sold at the nation's largest food, drug and mass retailers, and has commercialized genetic tests for periodontal disease risk assessment, cardiovascular risk assessment, and general nutrition assessment. Interleukin is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information about Interleukin and its ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com.

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements including statements regarding our ability to develop diagnostic, personalized nutritional and therapeutic products to prevent or treat diseases of inflammation and other genetic variations, our ability to screen nutritional compounds for their effects on inflammatory responses and other genetic variations, given specific genetic patterns and our ability to make progress in advancing our core technologies. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk of market acceptance of our products, the risk of technology and product obsolescence, delays in product development, the performance of our commercial partners, the availability of adequate capital, the actions of our competitors and other competitive risks, and those risks and uncertainties described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, our quarterly reports on Form 10- Q and other filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation or intention to update these forward-looking statements.

Interleukin Genetics
http://www.ilgenetics.com