Biohit Oyj Press Release May 5, 2014 at 2 p.m. local time (EEST)
Research results on Acetium® capsule, invented and patented by Biohit Oyj, have been replicated and confirmed in Japan. The results were presented in the major international meeting for gastroenterologists (Digestive Disease Week) in Chicago on May 4, 2014.
Researchers at Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) showed for the first time in the world that inherited deficiency of the enzyme eliminating acetaldehyde leads to a marked (5.6-fold) increase of carcinogenic acetaldehyde in gastric juice after an intra-gastric dose of alcohol. The gene mutation concerns 500 million East Asians and is associated with highly (up to 10-100-fold) increased risk for upper digestive tract cancer. The study also showed that 7 days’ treatment with a gastric acid secretion inhibitor (PPI-drug) increased the acetaldehyde concentration of gastric juice almost as much as the above-mentioned gene mutation. Highest gastric juice acetaldehyde levels were documented in PPI-treated subjects with gene mutation. Ingestion of Acetium® capsule prior to the experiments eliminated 60 – 75 % of carcinogenic acetaldehyde in the gastric juice associated either the gene mutation or PPI-treatment. The effect of Acetium® capsule lasted for the whole 2 hour’s follow-up. Also this Acetium® study was conducted in collaboration with Finnish researchers.
Inactivation of carcinogenic acetaldehyde by slowly L-cysteine releasing capsule formulation in gastric juice of PPI treated ALDH2-active and ALDH2-deficient volunteers after intra-gastric infusion of ethanol.
Ryehui Maejima1, Katsunori Iijima1, Panu Hendolin2, Pertti Kaihovaara3, Lea Paloheimo2, Tomoyuki Koike1, Tooru Shimosegawa1, Kari Syrjänen2, and Mikko Salaspuro3
1Division of Gastroenterology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan, 2Biohit Oyj, Helsinki, Finland, 3Research Unit on Acetaldehyde and Cancer, University of Helsinki, Finland
Doctor Katsunori Iijima, Tohoku University: ‘Esophageal and stomach cancer form a severe health problem in East Asia. Alcohol related markedly increased acetaldehyde levels of flushing ALDH2 subjects provide strong causal evidence for the causal relationship between locally formed acetaldehyde and esophageal and gastric cancer.’
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: ‘It should be emphasized that highest gastric juice acetaldehyde levels were documented in PPI-treated ALDH2-deficient subjects. For long-term PPI users Acetium® capsules are recommended.´
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, and has subsidiaries in Italy and the UK. Biohit's Series B share (BIOBV) is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki in the Small cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com