In early 2000’s I read in the Lansing Michigan State Journal newspaper that scientists at Michigan State University had published a study on how the dyes that make cherries red, when applied to the islet cells of a rodent’s pancreas resulted in an increase of the insulin hormone. The dye was chemically known as cyanidin-3-glucoside (C-3-G)
I then reasoned that perhaps this same dye applied to other cells or tissues in an experiment would produce a local growth factor or hormone. My interest was in cartilage healing. It had been known that the growth hormone insulin stimulating hormone 1 or IGF-1 had beneficial effects on articular cartilage healing. 30 years ago, I consulted with a company, Chiron in Emeryville, California concerning the effect of injected IGF-1 into patient’s knees scheduled to total knee operation in 13 weeks. There was evidence of early healing of cartilage lacerations, unknown prior to this testing. There was evidence of accelerated repair of drill holes in the cartilage. However, the study was abandoned and never reported. I have some of the photomicrographs showing the healing. My interest persisted and I studied and published on cartilage healing.
Testing at Scripps Laboratory in LA Jolla, CA on synovial explants from total knee surgery patient showed that
C-3-G resulted in increased IGF-1 expression in the tissue culture. It was known that C-3-G was very unstable in tissue culture and in short time was metabolized; PCA being the main metabolite.
At the same time Vitaglione, et al reported that carbon labeled C-3-G was rapidly metabolized upon human oral consumption to PCA in the blood, as much as 70% in 30 minutes. This solved the prior problem that C-3-G was not found in the body and therefore thought to not be bioactive.
I then did rabbit studies where we created an arthritic condition in the knee joint by cutting the ligaments and removing the inner meniscus. One group was treated with intra articular injection and the other with 30 milligrams per kilo body weight 3 times a week. There were two groups each, treatment before onset and 1 month after onset. The first was prophylactic and the 2nd group therapeutic. The results were same in all groups. There was increased expression of the local growth factors that reversed the inflammation of the intentionally induced arthritis. All arthritis medicines do such. However, the PCA improved the nutrition and integrity of the articular cartilage. This was evident by increased lubricin on the gliding surface and increased type II collagen and aggrecan in the cartilage matric to keeping if from breaking down and continuing the cycle of inflammatory inducing fragments in the synovial fluid. In addition, the subchondral bone was unchanged and without forming osteophytes or increased density.
A patient was applied for in 2020 and languished for 14 years, 3 patent lawyers and 3 patent office examiners. During those years I was very frusatrated and disappointed. Out of time on my hands and having a curiosity I looked into what else use might be possible for PCA.
