TILS.L Regulatory News (TILS)

28 Sep 2005 09:07

ReGen Therapeutics PLC28 September 2005 ReGen Therapeutics Plc 28 September 2005 In-vitro Study shows ReGen's ColostrininTM increases lifespan of Mouse Cellspredisposed to Premature Ageing ReGen Therapeutics Plc ("ReGen" or the "Company") announces the results of anin-vitro study showing that ColostrininTM increases the lifespan of cellsisolated from inbred mice predisposed to premature ageing and therefore, death.These findings have today been presented as a poster at the 21st InternationalConference of Alzheimer's Disease International taking place in Istanbul, Turkeyfrom 28 September to 1 October, 2005. Commenting on the findings, Dr. Istvan Boldogh, Department of Microbiology andImmunology at UTMB*, Galveston, Texas, USA, the study's principal investigatorsaid: "This study shows the impact of ColostrininTM on the mitochondria of cellsisolated from strains of senescence-prone (SAMP1) and senescence-resistant(SAMR1) mice. The data show that cells from SAMP1 mice produce more ROS, exhibitsevere mitochondrial dysfunction, and have a decreased lifespan compared to thecells from SAMR1 mice. Addition of ColostrininTM to SAMP1 cells significantlydecreased ROS levels, normalized mitochondrial function and increased thelifespan to levels similar to those in SAMR1 cells. This is an exciting findingthat may go toward explaining the cognitive benefits of ColostrininTM seen inclinical studies. In-vivo experiments are now ongoing to test if these effectsare evident when SAMP1 and SAMR1 mice are given ColostrininTM' over theirlifetime." Continuous low levels of oxidative damage (induced by oxidative stress) to cellsplay a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of age-associated neurodegenerativediseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other disorders of thecentral nervous system. The sources of oxidative stress manifested by theproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are mitochondria and are,themselves, targets of ROS attack. Mitochondria are key organelles involved inenergy production and the generation of secondary messenger molecules, which, inturn, regulate cells, and also control the process of apoptosis (programmed celldeath). Commenting on the study, Percy Lomax, Executive Chairman, said, "Although thiswas an in-vitro study, the fact that ColostrininTM has in this study shown apositive impact on ageing is a very important finding. If the ongoing in-vivostudies show similar results, this will be a very powerful message, which willsupport the marketing of ColostrininTM as a nutraceutical. Indeed it could haveimplications in the longer term for our drug research." A complete copy of the poster will be added to the ReGen website(www.regentherapeutics.com) in the next few days. * ReGen has a sponsored research agreement with the University of Texas MedicalBranch, Galveston, Texas, USA. For further information, please contact:Andrew MarshallMarshall Robinson Roe0207 960 6007 NOTES TO EDITORS Background ReGen's principal activity is the development of a potential therapy forAlzheimer's disease and also the development of nutraceutical uses forColostrininTM. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative and ultimately fataldisease that slowly destroys the brain. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease includeprogressive impairment of cognitive function including memory loss, inability tothink abstractly, loss of language function, attention deficit and associateddepression, anxiety and agitation. Eventually Alzheimer's disease sufferers losethe ability to take care of themselves and must be looked after either by familyor in residential care homes and hospitals. Ultimately, sufferers become lessresistant to infections and other illnesses, which often become the actual causeof death. In a 30 week clinical study, reported in the peer reviewed Journal ofAlzheimer's Disease in 2004, it was shown that: • More than 40% of patients on ColostrininTM were stabilised or improved after15 weeks of therapy, based on an Analysis of Overall Response • 33% of patients continued to show stabilisation or improvement after 30 weeksof treatment, and levels of benefit were slightly higher at the 15-week stage ofthe trial • Efficacy demonstrated in both mild and moderate symptom groups, with greatesteffects seen in earlier stages of the disease • No drug-related Adverse Events or safety concerns were observed during thetrial This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange