In vivo (Animal Studies)

Effect of fermented wheat germ extract on feline viruses (a pilot study)

Several, differently processed wheat germ extracts available through pharmacies have immunostimulant effects. As dietary supplements in chronic diseases they improve life quality. A fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) having Hungarian and FDA approvals increases cellular immunity, natural killer cell activity, IL-2 production, hematological parameters, results in weight gain, but decreases production of autoimmune antibodies. It facilitates programmed cell death of tumorous and leukemic cells. These results suggest its possible benevolent effects in virus infections.

Antiviral effects of a fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar), in the feline AIDS model

Avemar, an FDA-approved supplement for cancerous patients, stimulates cellular immunity, improves hematological parameters, elicits apoptosis of malignant cells, hinders autoimmune reactions. These suggest that Avemar might inhibit human/animal immunosuppressive viruses.
Aims: To study in vitro the inhibitory effect of Avemar on the etiological agent (feline immune deficiency virus, FIV) and its transactivating cofactor (feline adenovirus, FeADV) in the feline AIDS model.

Fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar) in the treatment of cardiac remodeling and metabolic symptoms in rats

Avemar, a product of industrial fermentation of wheat germ with a standardized content of benzoquinone and plant flavonoids, has been tested as an anti-cancer and immunomodulatory dietary supplement. Proposed mechanisms include anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This study has determined whether these actions of Avemar may also be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Fermented wheat germ extract (avemar) inhibits adjuvant arthritis

Anti-inflammatory efficacy of the fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE, Avemar) in the rat adjuvant arthritis (AA) model was examined. To Wistar rats with AA, different doses of FWGE and anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, dexamethasone) as monotherapies were administered and FWGE and either diclofenac or dexamethasone were also given in combination. Besides plethysmographies of the paws, histological investigations of synovial tissues were also performed along with detection of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Avemar Inhibits the Growth of Mouse and Human Xenograft Mammary Carcinomas Comparable To Endocrine Treatments

Background: An in vitro study demonstrated that Avemar increased the effect of Tamoxifen on MCF7 (ER+) mammary carcinoma cells. Methods: MXT (ER+) mouse mammary tumor tissue was transplanted s.c. into BDF1 mice. The tumor bearing animals were treated p.o. with Avemar. Then the most effective Avemar dose (3.0 g/kg), Tamoxifen (0.5 mg/kg s.c.), Examestane (10 mg/kg i.p.) and Anastrasol (5 mg/kg i.p.) monotherapies and their combinations with Avemar was compared. All treatments were given once daily, for 10 days, starting 7 days after the tumor transplantation.

Wheat germ extract inhibits experimental colon carcinogenesis in F-344 rats

It has been demonstrated for the first time that a wheat germ extract prevents colonic cancer in laboratory animals. Four-week-old inbred male F-344 rats were used in the study. Colon carcinogenesis has been induced by azoxymethane (AOM). Ten rats served as untreated controls (group 1). For the treatment of the animals in group 2, AOM was dissolved in physiologic saline and the animals were given three subcutaneous injections 1 week apart, 15 mg/kg body weight (b/w) each.

AVEMAR (a new benzoquinone-containing natural product) administration interferes with the Th2 response in experimental SLE and promotes amelioration of the disease

The potential of oral treatment with AVEMAR, a new benzoquinone-containing fermentation product of wheat germ, on features of experimental systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in naive mice, induced by idiotypic manipulation, was studied. We assessed the effect of AVEMAR on the profile of autoantibody production and the response of Th1/Th2 related cytokines as well as the clinical picture of experimental SLE in the SLE-induced mice.

MSC, a new benzoquinone-containing natural product with antimetastatic effect

An orally applicable fermentation product of wheat germ containing 0.04% substituted benzoquinone (MSC) has been invented by Hungarian chemists under the trade name of AVEMAR. Oral administration (3 g/kg body weight) of MSC enhances blastic transformation of splenic lymphocytes in mice. The same treatment shortens the survival time of skin grafts in a co-isogenic mouse skin transplantation model, pointing to the immune-reconstructive effect of MSC. A highly significant antimetastatic effect of MSC has been observed in three metastasis models (3LL-HH, B16, HCR-25).

Effect of MSC on the immune response of mice

The supposed immunostimulatory actions of MSC, a new fermented wheat germ extract standardized to its benzoquinone composition (trade name: AVEMAR) were studied examining blastic transformation of peripheral blood lymphocytes of mice treated with MSC. It was found that MSC significantly increased the degree of blastic transformation caused by Concanavalin A. Using the B10LP to C57Bl skin graft system, MSC (0.03 and 3.0 g kg-1 applied orally) acted in favour of restoring the immune function.

Effect of Avemar and Avemar + Vitamin C on tumor growth and metastasis in experimental animals

Because of the observed immunostimulatory actions of a new fermented wheat germ extract--with standardized benzoquinone composition--we have investigated the eventual tumor growth- and metastasis-inhibiting effects of this preparation (Avemar) applied alone or in combination with vitamin C. Tumor models of different origin [a highly metastatic variant of the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL-HH), B16 melanoma, a rat nephroblastoma (RWT-M) and a human colon carcinoma xenograft (HCR25)]--kept in artificially immunosuppressed mice were applied.

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