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CYAN : CYANOTECH CORP (NASDAQ)
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Human Clinical Trial Shows Spirulina May Increase Natural Cancer Fighting Substances in the Body
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii, Feb 14, 2001 (BW HealthWire) -- Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq NMS: CYAN chart, msgs), the world leader in producing high-value, natural products from microalgae, said today that new research has been reported finding that Spirulina may promote the activation of natural cancer-fighting substances in the body. The human clinical trial was reported by scientists from the Osaka Institute of Public Health in Japan at the 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Immunology held in November 2000.
The clinical study of volunteers over 40 years of age showed that Spirulina significantly increased the tumor killing ability of Natural Killer Cells and interferon gamma, and continued for 12-24 weeks after stopping the administration of Spirulina.
Earlier, in a study reported at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Cancer Association (October, 2000) the Osaka group also found that the co-administration of Spirulina extract with a bacterial cell wall product significantly increased the regression of implanted tumor cells in mice compared to the administration of the cell wall product alone. More than 80% remission was obtained with this co-treatment.
"Although Cyanotech was not involved with or a sponsor of these studies, we believe the results are potentially meaningful and should be more widely communicated to persons interested in Spirulina as a nutritional supplement," said Gerald R. Cysewski, Ph.D., chairman, president and CEO.
Cyanotech Corporation, the world's leader in microalgae technology, produces high-value natural products from microalgae, and is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin (pronounced "asta-zan-thin") from microalgae. Products include BioAstin(TM) natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant with expanding applications as a human nutraceutical; NatuRose(R) natural astaxanthin for the aquaculture and animal feed industry; Spirulina Pacifica(R), a nutrient-rich dietary supplement; and phycobiliproteins, which are fluorescent pigments used in the immunological diagnostics market. Spirulina and BioAstin are sold directly online through www.nutrex-hawaii.com and through resellers worldwide. Corporate and product information is available at www.cyanotech.com.
Contact:
Ronald P. Scott
EVP-Finance & Administration
(808) 326-1353
rscott@cyanotech.com
or
Bruce Russell
Investor Relations
(310) 216-1414
brucerussell@ruscom.com |
