Acetium

New Acetium capsule reduces carcinogenic acetaldehyde

The new Acetium capsule, developed by Biohit Oyj/Finland, reduces carcinogenic acetaldehyde in the stomach. This over-the-counter product will be available in pharmacies in Finland from May 26th 2010.

The Acetium capsule is recommended for people who have low-acid or acid-free stomachs, suffer from chronic Helicobacter pylori infections or are undergoing long-term treatment with medications that reduce gastric acid secretion (PPI drugs and H2 blockers), since microbes produce acetaldehyde in acid-free stomachs.

In addition, acetaldehyde in tobacco smoke reaches the stomach by dissolving in the smoker’s saliva. An acid-free stomach, a Helicobacter pylori infection and smoking are the most important risk factors for stomach cancer. Furthermore, an acid-free stomach and smoking are also independent risk factors for oesophageal cancer.

In collaboration with University of Helsinki scientists and in-house scientific advisers, Biohit has developed an array of methods which significantly help reduce the exposure of the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and stomach) to carcinogenic acetaldehyde. The company has pending and granted patents in several countries. 

• Press release 25 May 2010
• Stock Exchange Release 11 Jan 2010
• Press Release 11 Jan 2010

Read more about Acetium:

• Functionality and effects of the Acetium™ capsule
• Acetaldehyde is a common but poorly known carcinogenic substance
• Food products may contain plenty of acetaldehyde - Concentrations are trade secrets
• Acetaldehyde risk factors are based on strong scientific evidence
• Finnish scientists as pioneers in acetaldehyde research
• Acetium brochure

Other articles:

• GastroPanel – innovation for the development of safe and cost-effective treatment of dyspepsia (Tietoa Terveydestä 01/2010)

Literature:

• Secretan B, Straif K, Baan R, et al. A review of human carcinogens—Part E: tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, coal smoke, and salted fish.  www.thelancet.com/oncology, Vol 10 November 2009.
• Seitz HK, Stickel F. Acetaldehyde as an underestimated risk factor for cancer development: role of genetics in ethanol metabolism. Genes Nutr 2009, October 2009.
• Lachenmeier DW, Kanteres F, Rehm J. Carcinogenicity of acetaldehyde in alcoholic beverages: risk assessment outside ethanol metabolism. Addiction 2009; 104: 533-550.
• Salaspuro M. Commentary: Acetaldehyde: A cumulative carcinogen in humans. Addiction 2009; 104 (551-553).
• Väkeväinen S, Tillonen J, Salaspuro M, Jousimies-Somer H, Nuutinen H, Färkkilä M. Hypochlorhydria induced by a proton pump inhibitor leads to intragastric microbial production of acetaldehyde from ethanol. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2000; 14(11): 1511-1518.
• Väkeväinen S, Mentula S, Nuutinen H, Salmela KS, Jousimies-Somer H, Färkkilä M, Salaspuro M. Ethanol-derived microbial production of carcinogenic acetaldehyde in achlorhydric atrophic gastritis. Scand J Gastroenterol 2002; 37(6): 648-655.
• Salaspuro M. Acetaldehyde as a common denominator and cumulative carcinogen in digestive tract cancers. Scand J Gastroenterol 2009; 44: 912-925.

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