PepZin GI® Clinical Evidence
Gut
Mahmood, A, et al. Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes. 2007;56:168–175.
Topic:
Can zinc carnosine affect gut injury and repair?
Background:
Ulcers are painful erosions in the lining of the stomach or intestine. Zinc carnosine is a supplement thought to promote gut health. What effect does it have on ulcers?
Study Type:
In vitro, animal and human clinical intervention trial
Study Design:
Randomized, crossover trial (human portion of study). Human subjects took indomethacin, a drug that can cause gastric injury. Half the subjects also took zinc carnosine, while the others took a placebo.
Subjects:
Rats, mice and 10 healthy human volunteers
Dosage:
37.5 mg, 2 times/day for 5 days or placebo (human study)
Results:
Zinc carnosine increased the migration and proliferation of cells needed for healing the gastrointestinal lining by 300%. The effect was dose-dependent. Subjects taking zinc carnosine experienced a 75% reduction in gastric (stomach) injury and a 50% reduction in small intestine injury with no significant increase in permeability, while those subjects taking the placebo suffered a threefold increase in gut permeability. Gut permeability (or leaky gut) is thought to leave the body vulnerable to infection by pathogens that pass through the gastrointestinal tract.
Conclusion:
ZnC, at concentrations likely to be found in the gut lumen, stabilizes gut mucosa.
Japanese Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Topic:
What is the most effective dose of zinc carnosine in the treatment of gastritis?
Background:
Zinc carnosine is used as a treatment for intestinal ailments. What is the best dose?
Study Type:
Human clinical intervention trial
Study Design:
Multicenter, double-blind dose finding study. Subjective and objective symptoms were measured at 3 days, 1 week and 2 weeks. Symptoms were also assessed by endoscopy, and hemorrhaging was measured as well.
Subjects:
173 subjects with moderate to advanced gastritis
Dosage:
37.5 mg, 2 times/day or 75 mg, 2 times/day
Results:
Both groups saw an overall improvement of gastritis symptoms. Interestingly, there was no statistical significant difference between the two groups by most measures, meaning that the 75-mg per day dosage was just as effective as the 150-mg per day dosage. In the 75 mg group, symptoms were “significantly” or “moderately” improved in 86% of the group by the two-week mark. Similarly, erosion within the gut was “significantly” or “moderately” improved in 73% of the group. Hemorrhaging decreased by 71% and endoscopy revealed that 71% of subjects enjoyed moderate to significant improvement of symptoms. Over three-quarters experienced an overall improvement of symptoms. The supplement was found to be safe for the vast majority of subjects, and 76% found the treatment to be “extremely useful” or “useful” at the lower dose.
Conclusion:
ZnC, at concentrations likely to be found in the gut lumen, stabilizes gut mucosa.
PepZinGI Mechanism of Action:
It also works in multiple ways to prevent and heal ulcers:
- It inhibits the action of pepsin, a digestive enzyme that can cause gastric bleeding.
- It prevents a decrease in the content of gastric mucus, which protects the stomach from irritation.
- It increases the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and ornithine decarboxylase — all of which help heal the gastric mucosa.
- It down-regulates the expression of tumor necrosis factor, a cytokine that causes inflammation in ulcerated tissue.
- It’s an antioxidant that can alleviate damage to the gastric mucosa and promote the healing of ulcers.
- It protects cells in the stomach lining by increasing levels of heme oxygenase and heat shock protein (HSP72), which helps protect cells from stress.
- It increases gastric microcirculation.
- It reduces the secretion of acid.
- It may promote cell proliferation and differentiation during ulcer healing, allowing the lesions to close.