Replies to post #7592 on Biotech Values

[urche]

Interesting stuff on Gugulipid:

This is very interesting and new to me! Thanks.

While I remain skeptical that C-reactive protein has much clinical utility, I strongly believe that vascular inflammation is the cause of many heart attacks and strokes; and in terms of treatment, vascular inflammation has high likelihood of proving to be a controllable phenomenon.

The data on cholesterol reduction with Gugulipid is underwhelming. The company seems to be indicating that a 10-15% reduction in LDL is achievable. But this compares to 30% avg reduction on standard dose lovastatin and about 55% reduction from high dose atorvastatin. And the side effects (mostly rash) appear to be a major problem.

But, the effects on inflammation and metabolic control interest me. A snip from one of the links:

The results of this study showed, that besides the investigated clinical effects on dyslipidemia, Gugulipid have other potentially important systemic effects. The HDG reduced fasting glucose by 6 mg/dl and insulin by 1.9 mIU/ml. HDG increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) by 4.2%. The results of this study showed, that besides the investigated clinical effects on dyslipidemia, Gugulipid have other potentially important systemic effects. The HDG reduced fasting glucose by 6 mg/dl and insulin by 1.9 mIU/ml. HDG increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) by 4.2%. HDG reduced median high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) by 31%. Gugulipid reduced oxidized cholesterol oxLDL by 12%. In conclusion, Gugulipid at high doses modestly improves insulin sensitivity in non-diabetic adults, while lowering a validated serum marker of inflammation. Guggulipid also has some antioxidant properties in vivo, and may reduce serum uric acid, a recently recognized risk factor in cardiovascular disease.

Obviously, this is a private company without much marketing savvy. If the people who came up with Gugulipid had a marketing team like Renovis that came up with "Cerovive" Americans might take them more seriously. Plus, how is the FDA ever going to review studies on "standardized gum guggul extract" without giggling?

Urche