Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution... – Containing or obtained from gramineae
Reexamination Certificate
2003-05-05
2004-05-11
Witz, Jean C. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Containing or obtained from gramineae
C514S458000, C514S054000, C514S866000, C426S093000, C426S618000, C426S629000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06733799
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods for treating hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis in mammals by ingesting a stabilized rice bran derivative.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hypercholesterolemia is a condition with elevated levels of circulating total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol as per the guidelines of the Expert Panel Report of the National Cholesterol Educational Program (NCEP) of Detection, Evaluation of Treatment of high cholesterol in adults (see,
Arch. Int. Med
. (1988) 148, 36-39). In particular, high level of LDL and VLDL are positively associated with coronary arteriosclerosis while the high levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) are negative risk factors. The role of LDL oxidation is gaining much attention in the literature. It is well documented that LDL becomes oxidatively stressed under pathological conditions and is no longer recognized by the LDL receptors. The oxidized LDL is taken up by macrophages within the subendothelial space, leading to the formation of fatty streaks which are the basis of most advanced lesions.
Hypercholesterolemia is implicated as a high risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis and xanthomatosis in humans. Hypercholesterolemia is influenced by diet, heredity, environment, life style, diseases and stress, leading to heart attacks and strokes at an early age.
Hyperlipidemia is a condition where the blood lipid parameters are elevated. The lipids fractions in the circulating blood are, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins (LDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides (TG). As per the American Heart Association guidelines, the safe levels are represented below. Active treatment by diet modifications and drugs are necessary to reduce the risk of fatality when the levels go abnormal.
Total Cholesterol (TC)
<240 mg/dL
LDL-C
<160 mg/dL - Apo(B) Atherogenic factor
HDL-C
>35 mg/dL Lp(a) Atherogenic factor
Triglycerides (TG)
<150 mg/dL
Hyperlipidemia results from diet, heredity, lifestyle, environment, familial diseases, or stress. The condition may be inherited or may be secondary to another disorder, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Hypothyroidism, Nephrotic Syndrome, Cushing's Syndrome, Diabetes Mellitus, obesity, alcoholism, Corticosteroid Therapy or Estrogen Therapy.
Hyperlipidemia predisposes one to coronary heart disease, cancer and obesity. Hyperlipidemia is one of the high risk factors useful in the early diagnosis of these life threatening diseases. To some extent, hyperlipidemia can be corrected by diet modifications and treatment with drugs.
Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular condition occurring as a result of narrowing down of the arterial walls. The narrowing is due to the formation of plaques (raised patches) or streaks in the inner lining of the arteries. These plaques consist of foam cells of low-density lipoproteins, oxidized-LDL, decaying muscle cells, fibrous tissue, clumps of blood platelets, cholesterol, and sometimes calcium. They tend to form in regions of turbulent blood flow and are found most often in people with high concentrations of cholesterol in the bloodstream. The number and thickness of plaques increase with age, causing loss of the smooth lining of the blood vessels and encouraging the formation of thrombi (blood clots). Sometimes fragments of thrombi break off and form emboli, which travel through the bloodstream and block smaller vessels.
The blood supply is restricted to the heart, eventually forming a blood clot leading to death. The major causes of atherosclerosis are hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia is high circulating cholesterol and high lipids like LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. These lipids are deposited in the arterial walls, obstructing the blood flow and forming atherosclerotic plaques leading to death.
Atherosclerosis is responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than any other single condition. Atherosclerotic heart disease involving the coronary arteries is the most common single cause of death, accounting for one third of all deaths. Atherosclerotic interference with blood supply to the brain (causing stroke) is the third most common cause of death after cancer. Atherosclerosis also causes a great deal of serious illness by reducing the blood flow in other major arteries, such as those to the kidneys, the legs and the intestines.
Medication is not a satisfactory treatment because much of the damage to the artery walls has already been done. Anticoagulant drugs have been used to try to minimize secondary clotting and embolus formation, but have little or no effect on the progress of the disease. Vasodilator drugs are used to provide symptom relief, but are of no curative value.
Surgical treatment is available for certain high-risk situations. Balloon angioplasty can open up narrowed vessels and promote an unproved blood supply. The blood supply to the heart muscle can also be restored through a vein graft bypass. Large atheromatous and calcified arterial obstructions can be removed by endarterectomy, and entire segments of diseased peripheral vessels can be replaced by woven plastic tube grafts.
With regard to reduction of hypercholesterolemia, in some instances this can be achieved by modification of the diet and/or use of drugs thereby minimizing the risk of fatality of the disease. Reduction of serum cholesterol in humans has been achieved by consumption of dietary plant fiber and other effective components of foods. However, there remains a need for a safe and effective treatment for the above conditions which are often interrelated with minimal risk or side effects. As a preventive cure, diet plays a crucial role in bringing down the lipid parameters. In addition to diet and exercise, there is a need for a supplemental therapy, possibly to prevent these conditions and insure better health, particularly in people who are genetically predisposed to such conditions. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been surprisingly found that stabilized rice bran derivatives reduce serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and triglyceride levels in mammals. As such, the present invention provides a method for reducing mammalian serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and triglyceride levels, by ingesting a stabilized rice bran derivative such as, enzyme treated stabilized rice bran, an insolubilized fraction and mixtures thereof, thereby reducing serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and triglyceride levels. In one embodiment, the derivative is administered in an amount of about 10 grams to about 100 grams per day total in at least 2 doses.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for increasing the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio in mammalian serum, by ingesting a stabilized rice bran derivative such as, an enzyme treated stabilized rice bran derivative, an insolubilized fraction and mixtures thereof, thereby increasing the HDL/LDL ratio.
In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for making an enzyme treated stabilized rice bran derivative by mixing stabilized rice bran with an aqueous solution to form about a 15% to about a 35% aqueous rice bran slurry; adding an enzyme to the aqueous rice bran slurry to convert starch to dextrin, thereby forming an enzyme treated slurry, and then drying the enzyme treated slurry to form an enzyme treated stabilized rice bran derivative.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
I. Glossary
As used herein the term “apolipoprotein B” or “apoprotein B” or “Apo B” refers to the protein component of the LDL cholesterol transport proteins. Cholesterol synthesized de novo is transported from the liver and intestine to peripheral tissues in the form of lipoproteins. Most of the apolipoprotein B is secreted into the circulatory system as VLDL.
As used herein the term “arteriosclerosis” is a degeneration of the walls of the arteries
Cherukuri Reddy Sastry V.
Cheruvanky Rukmini
Lynch Ike
McPeak Patricia
Qureshi Asaf A.
The RiceX Company
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Witz Jean C.
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