Healthcare Professionals

Detailed Review

More than half of all heart attacks and strokes occur in people who do not have an elevated cholesterol level

 
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world.  Stroke is another significant cause of morbidity and mortality.  Atherosclerotic plaque formation within arterial walls is one of the root causes of both of these conditions.   Lipoproteins are essential elements in transporting cholesterol and other lipids around the bloodstream to cells, where they are used in a number of metabolic processes.  Low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a main transporter of cholesterol, required by all cells and metabolised in the liver.   When damaged by oxidation, LDL is no longer recognised by the normal LDL-receptor on liver and other cells.  This damaged LDL, LDLox, is instead removed from the circulation by macrophages that can recycle the damaged components.  However, in excess, LDLox accumulates in macrophages, which become foam cells trapped in the wall of arteries (Heller et al., 1998; Parthasarathy et al., 1992; Witztum, 1993).  Eventually, these can build atheromatous plaques which cause heart attacks, stroke and other diseases such as peripheral vascular disease (Witztum, 1993).

Statins reduce the overall level of LDL but they do not prevent oxidative damage and atheromatous plaque formation

 
The NHS currently spends in excess of £500 million a year on statins.  These drugs do result in a 30% overall fall in the risk of death from ischaemic events by reducing the level of LDL in individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease and consequently reducing the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation.  However, statins do not prevent the oxidation of LDL and half of all heart attacks and strokes occur in people who do not have an elevated cholesterol level.

The Mediterranean diet is associated with increased protection against heart attack and stroke

 
Higher intake of fruit and vegetables has long been recognised as being associated with lower risk of ischaemic stroke (Gillman et al 1995, Joshipura et al 1999, Hak et al 2004) and a number of epidemiological studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet in particular is associated with increased protection against both heart attack and stroke (Knoops et al 2004, Willett 2006, Bamia et al 2007, Fung et al, 2009). 

ATERONON™ is based on one of the main active components of the Mediterranean diet, lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the oxidation of LDL dramatically

 
Lycopene, the naturally occurring red pigment found in the skin of ripe tomatoes, has been shown to be the principal antioxidant component of the Mediterranean diet (Kohlmeier et al, 1997, Rissanen et al 2002, Sesso 2004).  Ateronon™, a recently developed product of a highly bio-available form of lycopene, can reduce lipoprotein oxidation by up to 90% in older individuals with active atherogenesis within two months of commencing its administration. 

ATERONON™ capsules given daily to older individuals with heart disease (mean age 61, range 40-70) doubled plasma lycopene levels in two weeks from 0.26 to 0.52µmol/L. To reduce the risk of atherosclerosis it is necessary to achieve plasma concentrations of the antioxidant lycopene of at least 0.2µmol/L, with an increasing trend in improvement from 0.2 to 0.6µmol/L.

ATERONON™ delivers lycopene in a form that can reach optimum sustainable levels in the body with a once-daily capsule

 
Few people outside the Mediterranean area can eat the amount of tomatoes required on a daily basis to maintain sufficient plasma levels of lycopene commensurate with effective lipoprotein anti-oxidant activity.  A single capsule of ATERONON™ has been shown to deliver lycopene in a consistent, highly bio-available, bio-effective form that reaches plasma levels sufficient to dramatically reduce lipoprotein oxidation in individuals with active atherogenesis.

ATERONON™ is a food grade product that has not been associated with any adverse effects in either healthy individuals or patients with cardiovascular disease alike.

 
ATERONON™ is a 100% food grade product.  A number of clinical studies have been carried out involving both healthy individuals and those with established coronary heart disease.  No adverse effects were reported by any of the participants in these studies.

Because ATERONON™ contains tomato, milk and soy derivatives, it should not be taken by individuals with food allergies to, or intolerances of, either of these items.

The ability of ATERONON™ to help inhibit LDL oxidation, recognised as a key step in the process of atherosclerosis offers new information in the work to reduce the risks of heart attack and stroke and, possibly, other atherosclerotic plaque-based conditions such as dementia and age-related macular degeneration.

 
By reducing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, ATERONON™ works at one of the root causes of atherogenesis and, as such, offers new information towards the reduced risk of conditions caused by atherosclerosis including heart attack and stroke.  It may also offer new information towards the reduced risk of small vessel disease conditions including dementia and age-related macular degeneration.

ATERONON™ - Cambridge University heritage

 
ATERONON™ was developed by Cambridge Theranostics, working with initial research and innovations from food company Nestle.  Cambridge Theranostics is a spin-out bio-technology company from Cambridge University (part funded by The British Heart Foundation) formed with the objective of researching natural substances with the ability to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and promote methods of achieving healthier longevity.

Through clinical practice, laboratory research and epidemiological observations the Cambridge Theranostics team has isolated natural bio-active ingredients and formulated organic lycopene into a new patented complex with demonstrable preventive and therapeutic properties.

ATERONON™ - continuing research

 
Current clinical trials using ATERONON™ at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, determining the rate of reduction of atherosclerotic plaque, and the degree of reduction of hypertension (high blood pressure), will report in 2011.

 A trial of ATERONON™ among haemorrhagic stroke patients is underway at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK, and will report in 2010.

ATERONON™ EU health claim

 
An application for use of the following health claim for ATERONON™ is currently being processed by the European Union’s European Food Safety Authority.
 
"Lycopene, when delivered to the body, prevents oxidative damage of plasma lipoproteins, which reduces the build up of arterial plaques and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and other clinical complications of atherosclerosis.”

References 

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Hak E, Ma J, Powell CB,  Campos H, Gaziano M, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ.  Prospective Study of Plasma Carotenoids and Tocopherols in Relation to Risk of Ischemic Stroke.  Stroke. 2004; 35:1584-1588

Fung TT, Rexrode KM, Mantzoros CS, JoAnn E. Manson JAE, Willett WC and Hu FB Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of and Mortality From Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Women. Circulation. 2009;119:1093-1100

Heller FR, Descamps O, Hondekijn JC. LDL oxidation: therapeutic perspectives. Atherosclerosis. 1998 Apr; 137 Suppl: S25-31.

Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Speizer FE, Hennekens CH, Spiegelman D, Willett WC. Fruit and vegetable intake in relation to risk of ischemic stroke. JAMA. 1999; 282: 1233–1239. 

Knoops KT, de Groot LC, Kromhout D, Perrin AE, Moreiras-Varela O, Menotti A, van Staveren WA. Mediterranean diet, lifestyle factors, and 10-year mortality in elderly European men and women: the HALE project. JAMA. 2004 Sep 22; 292(12): 1433-9 

Kohlmeier L, Kark JD, Gomez-Gracia E, Martin BC, Steck SE, Kardinaal AF, Ringstad J, Thamm M, Masaev V, Riemersma R, Martin-Moreno JM, Huttunen JK, Kok FJ. Lycopene and myocardial infarction risk in the EURAMIC Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1997 Oct 15;146 (8): 618-26.

Parthasarathy S, Steinberg D, Witztum JL. The role of oxidized low-density lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Annu Rev Med. 1992; 43:219-25.

Rissanen T, Voutilainen S, Nyyssönen K and Salonen JT. Lycopene, Atherosclerosis, and Coronary Heart Disease. Exp Biol Med 227:900–907, 2002

Sesso HD, Buring JE, Norkus EP, Gaziano JM. Plasma lycopene, other carotenoids, and retinol and the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79:47-53.

Witztum JL. Role of oxidised low density lipoprotein in atherogenesis. Br Heart J. 1993 Jan; 69 (1 Suppl): S12-8.