New Acetium capsule that reduces carcinogenic acetaldehyde now available in pharmacies in Finland
25 May 2010
The new Acetium capsule, developed by Biohit Oyj/Finland, reduces carcinogenic
acetaldehyde in the stomach. This over-the-counter product will be available in
pharmacies in Finland from May 26th 2010.
The Acetium capsule is recommended for people who have low-acid or acid-free
stomachs, suffer from chronic Helicobacter pylori infections or are undergoing
long-term treatment with medications that reduce gastric acid secretion (PPI
drugs and H2 blockers), since microbes produce acetaldehyde in acid-free
stomachs. In addition, acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke reaches the stomach by
dissolving in the smoker's saliva. An acid-free stomach, a Helicobacter pylori
infection and smoking are the most important risk factors for stomach cancer.
Furthermore, an acid-free stomach and smoking are also independent risk factors
for oesophageal cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which forms part of the
World Health Organisation, has classified acetaldehyde contained in alcoholic
beverages or produced from alcohol endogenously (e.g. in the gastrointestinal
tract) as a Group I carcinogen. The above WHO classification places it in the
same risk group as, for example, asbestos and tobacco. Exposure to acetaldehyde
is connected to around 4 million new cases of cancer worldwide every year, or
close to 40 per cent of all cancers.
"Acetaldehyde has been proven to be the most likely cause of gastric cancers in
patients with acid-free stomachs", explains Professor Mikko Salaspuro of the
University of Helsinki, who has been researching the detrimental effects of
acetaldehyde for more than 30 years. "Approximately 500 million people worldwide
are affected by this, almost 100,000 of them in Finland. Until now, there has
been no way of reducing their cancer risk apart from quitting smoking. The same
is true of the hundreds of millions of people with untreated or
treatment-resistant chronic Helicobacter pylori infections."
Salaspuro compares acetaldehyde research to research on cholesterol. In both
cases, key evidence has been gained from genetic studies. Gene mutations found
in a certain segment of the population heighten susceptibility to acetaldehyde
or cholesterol and thereby the risk of cancers and vascular diseases.
Acetaldehyde is primarily produced from alcohol but also from sugar in an
acid-free stomach
Salaspuro points out: "The cancer risk posed by acetaldehyde is increased by the
fact that we are consuming the substance all the time and via different
sources."
Acetaldehyde is a key product generated during both the fermentation
process and the burning of alcohol. Calvados, sherry, port wine, and certain
fruit-based sweet wines have a particularly high acetaldehyde content resulting
from fermentation.
High concentrations of the substance are also found in many other
fermentation-based drinks and foodstuffs. In addition, many of our everyday
foods and beverages contain small amounts of alcohol, from which microbes in the
gastrointestinal tract efficiently generate high concentrations of acetaldehyde
in the mouth and an acid-free stomach, resulting in damage to cell DNA. In
addition, many bacteria and yeasts have to survive without oxygen in an
acid-free stomach. In such a case, they receive their energy from sugar which
transforms into ethanol via
acetaldehyde with the help of alcoholic fermentation. Therefore, an acid-free
stomach can generate notable concentrations of alcohol and acetaldehyde even if
no alcohol is consumed.
Whenever possible, cancer prevention is the number one goal with respect to
individuals and society. The prognosis for people diagnosed with stomach or
oesophageal cancer is very poor. No more than five to ten per cent of such
patients are still alive within five years of the diagnosis. Attempts to improve
this prognosis have included regular endoscopies of the oesophagus and stomach
with the purpose of detecting and treating cancer at the earliest stage
possible.
Salaspuro continues: "For the first time ever, Acetium now offers a realistic
possibility of preventing gastric cancers."
Acetium effectively binds acetaldehyde in acid-free stomachs
Classified as medical device, the Acetium capsule contains 100 mg of vegetable
L-cysteine as an active ingredient. L-cysteine is a perfectly safe, natural
amino acid, small amounts of which are digested daily along with proteins in
regular food.
"However, cysteine is absorbed from food only in the duodenum and therefore does
not reduce the acetaldehyde concentration in the stomach", explains Product
Development Manager, MSc (Pharm) Tuuli Marvola of Biohit. "The L-cysteine in the
Acetium capsule spreads slowly and evenly in the stomach, effectively binding to
the acetaldehyde molecule and rendering it inactive."
Acetium capsules are taken together with meals or alcoholic beverages.
Clinical studies have proven that 200 mg of L-cysteine, the dose contained in
two Acetium capsules, can bind acetaldehyde for at least 45 minutes.
In collaboration with University of Helsinki scientists and in-house scientific
advisers, Biohit has developed an array of methods which significantly help
reduce the exposure of the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, pharynx, oesophagus
and stomach) to carcinogenic acetaldehyde. The company has pending and granted
patents in several countries.
Further information:
Press: www.biohit.com/acetium
Information on acetaldehyde and the product:
Mikko Salaspuro, M.D., Professor
Biomedicum Helsinki, University of Helsinki
Scientific advisor and member of the board of directors of Biohit Oyj
GSM: +358 500 511 689
mikko.salaspuro@helsinki.fi
Tuuli Marvola, M.Sc. Pharm.
Sales and Product Development Manager, Biohit Oyj
Tel. +358 9 7738 6282
tuuli.marvola@biohit.com
Osmo Suovaniemi, M.D., Ph.D., Professor
President and CEO, Biohit Oyj
Tel: +358 9 773 861
GSM: +358 40 745 5605
osmo.suovaniemi@biohit.com
About Biohit Oyj
Established in 1988, Biohit Oyj is a Finnish biotechnology company, acting on
the global market. Biohit's operations are based on a goal-oriented and
long-term innovation and patenting strategy.
Biohit works with scientific communities to produce new technologies, products
and services based on research results and innovations that can be used to
develop safe and cost-effective liquid handling solutions for laboratory work as
well as diagnostic tests for the early detection and prevention of diseases of
the gastrointestinal tract.
Biohit has two business segments: liquid handling and diagnostics. Liquid
handling products include electronic and mechanical pipettes, disposable tips as
well as pipette maintenance and calibration services for research institutions,
healthcare and industrial laboratories.
The diagnostics business comprises products and analysis systems for the early
diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases, such as the blood-sample based
GastroPanel examinations for the diagnosis of stomach illnesses and associated
risks, quick tests for the diagnosis of lactose intolerance and H. pylori
infection in connection with gastroscopy, and the ColonView examination for the
early detection of intestinal bleeding that indicates a risk of colorectal
cancer.
Biohit has expanded its business into consumer healthcare products for
preventing serious illnesses. The Acetium innovation, the result of many years
of research, reduces carcinogenic acetaldehyde in acid-free stomachs.
The Biohit Group employs around 390 people. The company is headquartered in
Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in France, Germany, the UK, Russia,
India, China, Japan and the USA, as well as a representative office in
Singapore. Additionally, Biohit's products are sold by approximately 450
distributors in 70 countries.
Biohit's series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Small
cap/Healthcare since 1999.
Read more at www.biohit.com
