Data from this rigorously conducted, placebo-controlled, double blind trial show that anatabine-treated subjects had progressive decreases in circulating thyroglobulin antibody levels, which became significant by the end of the trial. Current treatment for autoimmune thyroiditis is limited to end-stage disease when irreversible gland damage necessitates lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. The prospect of a novel nutritional or pharmaceutical intervention that could preserve thyroid health represents an encouraging advance. Further clinical studies are now warranted.
Dr. Paul Ladenson, senior endocrinological consultant for the study
Star Scientific, Inc. (STSI) announced the preliminary results of the Company’s ASAP (Anatabloc Supplementation Autoimmune Prevention) Human Thyroid Study that analyses the impact of anatabine dietary supplementation on thyroid health.
The study is a three-month, five-visit, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the impact of anatabine dietary supplementation in humans with autoimmune disease of the thyroid. Initial results for all study subjects suggest that dietary supplementation with anatabine ameliorates the immune system’s targeting of the thyroid gland in autoimmune thyroiditis.
One-hundred forty-eight subjects completed the study, of which one-hundred forty six complied with all treatment, visits and required tests. The preliminary examination of the primary outcomes shows a clear and statistically significant difference in the treated group as compared to the placebo group by the end of the trial, with declines in anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels.
Anatabine subjects also tended toward a reduction in thyroid gland vascularity on ultrasound relative to placebo.
The full report of the study is still being completed and will soon be submitted for peer review.
Star Scientific, Inc. (STSI)Star Scientific, Inc. is a technology-oriented company with a mission to promote maintenance of a healthy metabolism and lifestyle. Since the incorporation of its Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals subsidiary in 2007, company has focused on utilizing certain alkaloids found in the Solanacea family of plants, which includes potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants, initially to address issues related to the desire to smoke cigarettes or use other traditional tobacco products. More recently, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals has been concentrating on the anti-inflammatory aspects of one of those alkaloids, anatabine.