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Biotech / Medical : GUMM - Eliminate the Common Cold -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mad2 who wrote (952)	9/21/1999 5:22:00 PM
From: pz	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5582

THE EFFECT OF DIRECT APPLICATION OF IONIC ZINC NASAL GEL ON THE SEVERITY AND DURATION OF THE COMMON COLD. Charles B. Hensley, Ph.D and R. Steven Davidson, Ph.D Gel Tech Inc. 6430 Variel Ave. S. 102, Woodland Hills, California 91367 U.S.A. Over 200 viruses can cause the common cold with the majority being caused by rhinoviruses. Human rhinovirus (HRV) entry into the nasal epithelium is mediated by binding to a cellular receptor and is a critical first step in the infection process. In the human nasal mucosa, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) is known to be the receptor used by HRV to gain entry into the human nasal epithelium. Furthermore, molecular modeling reveals that the ICAM-1 docking sites on the surface of HRV are ideally constituted and disposed to receive zinc ions. These and other observations led us to hypothesize that strategic application of ionized zinc to the nasal epithelium would result in zinc ions occupying these sites, which would prevent HRV docking with ICAM-1, effectively interrupting the HRV infection cycle. To this end, we have developed a common cold therapy based on direct application of ionic zinc to the nasal epithelial surface via a gel matrix delivery system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of our preparation in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold. The double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted over a two cold season period. Two hundred volunteers were initially enrolled in the study of which one hundred and four participated (those presenting with at least three of nine cold symptoms for a period of 24 hours or less). Each subject received a pump sprayer containing either 10 mM zinc nasal gel (n=12), 33 mM zinc nasal gel (n=40), or placebo gel (n=52). Subjects were instructed to spray one dose per nostril every four hours during waking hours and just prior to retiring for the evening for as long as they had cold symptoms. Subjects completed a symptom chart documenting the severity (scale of 0 to 3) of symptoms throughout the duration of their colds. Colds were determined to be over only when all symptoms were resolved (a total symptom score of 0). The 33mM zinc nasal gel was more effective than the other treatment protocols at reducing both the severity and duration of the common cold. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate the percentage of subjects whose colds completely resolved. The mean resolution time for all symptoms was 1.5 +/- 0.82 days (n=40) for subjects using 33 mM zinc gel, 3.29 +/- 1.03 days (n=12) for subjects using 10 mM zinc gel, and 9.8 +/- 4.5 days (n=52) for subjects using the placebo gel. The results of the Student's t Test and the plot of these distributions demonstrate that symptoms resolved significantly faster in the zinc groups than in the placebo group (p < 0.001 for 33 mM zinc; p < 0.001 for 10 mM zinc). The analysis also showed that the cold duration was shorter in the 33 mM zinc group when compared with the 10 mM zinc group (p < 0.005). In conclusion, we find that direct application of ionic zinc to the nasal epithelial surface to be very effective in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold symptoms. The nasal gel containing 33 mM ionized zinc significantly reduced the duration of the common cold from an average of 9.8 days in the placebo group to an average of 1.5 days, which amounts to an 85% reduction in the duration of the common cold.

To: Mad2 who wrote (952)	9/21/1999 5:34:00 PM
From: DanZ	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 5582

When did Quigley start selling functional chewing gum? Are they getting ready to sell nicotine cessation gum? Are they in discussions with a multinational oral health care company to make dental gum? Gee, Quigley and GumTech sound so similar. I think we should compare their valuations to see which one is a better investment. While we're at it, I think we should compare the valuations of Apple Computer and Microsoft. They both sell hardware and software. This sure makes sense to me. What?? You mean it doesn't make sense to compare apples to microsofts? Oh well, I'll see if I can come up with a better idea later. It's amazing what some people are willing to write and actually sign their name too. Oh, I forgot. The name Mad2 is just an alias. Well, pal, I don't blame you for hiding behind an alias.