Spercus

Uses

The supplemental Levocarnitine use is widely established in the management of cardiac ischemia and peripheral arterial disease. It is generally used for cardio protection. It lowers triglyceride levels and increases levels of HDL cholesterol. It is used with benefits in those with primary and secondary carnitine deficiency syndromes. There is also evidence of its use in liver, kidney and immune disorders or in diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. There is little evidence that supplemental Levocarnitine boosts energy, increases athletic performance or inhibits obesity. The indications of Levocarnitine may be summarized as follows:

• Heart Diseases
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Kidney Disease
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• High Cholesterol
• Intermittent Claudication
• Dementia and memory impairment
• Down Syndrome
• Male infertility
• Hyperthyroidism

Lycopene is an ingredient found in a variety of supplements and vitamins.

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors mediated decreased level of Coenzyme Q10 in blood, Drug induced Myopathy, Protects body against free radical damage with its antioxidant property, Adjuvant therapy in cardiovascular disease especially in angina and congestive heart failure, Immune system depression, Cognitive decline, Useful in the management of Periodontal Disease

Zinc is an essential element commonly used for the treatment of patients with documented zinc deficiency.

Zinc can be used for the treatment and prevention of zinc deficiency/its consequences, including stunted growth and acute diarrhea in children, and slowed wound healing. It is also utilized for boosting the immune system, treating the common cold and recurrent ear infections, as well as preventing lower respiratory tract infections .

Spercus is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Carnitine Deficiency, Congenital carnitine deficiency, Secondary Carnitine deficiencyNutritional supplementationMigraineCandidiasis, Common Cold, Diaper Dermatitis, Diaper Rash, Eye redness, Iron Deficiency (ID), Ocular Irritation, Skin Irritation, Sunburn, Wilson's Disease, Zinc Deficiency, Dietary and Nutritional Therapies, Dietary supplementation

How Spercus works

Levocarnitine can be synthesised within the body from the amino acids lysine or methionine. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is essential to the synthesis of carnitine. Levocarnitine is a carrier molecule in the transport of long chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane. It also exports acyl groups from subcellular organelles and from cells to urine before they accumulate to toxic concentrations. Only the L isomer of carnitine (sometimes called vitamin BT) affects lipid metabolism. Levocarnitine is handled by several proteins in different pathways including carnitine transporters, carnitine translocases, carnitine acetyltransferases and carnitine palmitoyltransferases.

Ubidecarenone is an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Its functions are the acceptance of electrons from the complex I and II and this activity is vital for the production of ATP. It acts as a mobile redox agent shuttling electrons and protons in the electron transport chain. Ubidecarenone also presents antioxidant activity in mitochondria and cellular membranes, protecting against peroxidation of lipid membranes as well as inhibiting oxidation of LDL-cholesterol.

Zinc has three primary biological roles: catalytic, structural, and regulatory. The catalytic and structural role of zinc is well established, and there are various noteworthy reviews on these functions. For example, zinc is a structural constituent in numerous proteins, inclusive of growth factors, cytokines, receptors, enzymes, and transcription factors for different cellular signaling pathways. It is implicated in numerous cellular processes as a cofactor for approximately 3000 human proteins including enzymes, nuclear factors, and hormones .

Zinc promotes resistance to epithelial apoptosis through cell protection (cytoprotection) against reactive oxygen species and bacterial toxins, likely through the antioxidant activity of the cysteine-rich metallothioneins .

In HL-60 cells (promyelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc enhances the up-regulation of A20 mRNA, which, via TRAF pathway, decreases NF-kappaB activation, leading to decreased gene expression and generation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1beta, and IL-8 .

There are several mechanisms of action of zinc on acute diarrhea. Various mechanisms are specific to the gastrointestinal system: zinc restores mucosal barrier integrity and enterocyte brush-border enzyme activity, it promotes the production of antibodies and circulating lymphocytes against intestinal pathogens, and has a direct effect on ion channels, acting as a potassium channel blocker of adenosine 3-5-cyclic monophosphate-mediated chlorine secretion. Cochrane researchers examined the evidence available up to 30 September 2016 .

Zinc deficiency in humans decreases the activity of serum thymulin (a hormone of the thymus), which is necessary for the maturation of T-helper cells. T-helper 1 (Th(1)) cytokines are decreased but T-helper 2 (Th(2)) cytokines are not affected by zinc deficiency in humans [A342417].

The change of Th(1) to Th(2) function leads to cell-mediated immune dysfunction. Because IL-2 production (Th(1) cytokine) is decreased, this causes decreased activity of natural-killer-cell (NK cell) and T cytolytic cells, normally involved in killing viruses, bacteria, and malignant cells [A3424].

In humans, zinc deficiency may lead to the generation of new CD4+ T cells, produced in the thymus. In cell culture studies (HUT-78, a Th(0) human malignant lymphoblastoid cell line), as a result of zinc deficiency, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation, phosphorylation of IkappaB, and binding of NF-kappaB to DNA are decreased and this results in decreased Th(1) cytokine production .

In another study, zinc supplementation in human subjects suppressed the gene expression and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased oxidative stress markers [A3424]. In HL-60 cells (a human pro-myelocytic leukemia cell line), zinc deficiency increased the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-8 cytokines and mRNA. In such cells, zinc was found to induce A20, a zinc finger protein that inhibited NF-kappaB activation by the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor pathway. This process decreased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers .

The exact mechanism of zinc in acne treatment is poorly understood. However, zinc is considered to act directly on microbial inflammatory equilibrium and facilitate antibiotic absorption when used in combination with other agents. Topical zinc alone as well as in combination with other agents may be efficacious because of its anti-inflammatory activity and ability to reduce P. acnes bacteria by the inhibition of P. acnes lipases and free fatty acid levels .

Dosage

Spercus dosage

Tablet-

• Adults: The recommended oral dosage for adults is 990 mg, two or three times a day using the 330 mg tablets, depending on clinical response.
• Infants and children: The recommended oral dosage for infants and children is between 50 and 100 mg/kg/day in divided doses, with a maximum of 3 g/day. Dosage should begin at 50 mg/kg/day. The exact dosage will depend on clinical response.

Monitoring should include periodic blood chemistries, vital signs, plasma carnitine concentrations and overall clinical condition.Syrup-

• Adults: 10 to 30 ml/day. Dosage should start at 10 ml/day in divided doses, and be increased slowly while assessing tolerance and therapeutic response.
• Infants and children: 50 to 100 mg/kg/day which is equivalent to 0.5 ml/kg/day. Dosage should start at 50 mg/kg/day, and be increased slowly to a maximum of 3 g/day (30 ml/day) while assessing tolerance and therapeutic response. Solution may be consumed alone or dissolved in drink or other liquid food. Doses should be spaced evenly throughout the day (every three or four hours) preferably during or following meals and should be consumed slowly in order to maximize tolerance.

The recommended dose of Co-enzyme Q10 is:

For Co-enzyme Q10 deficiency:150 mg daily.

For mitochondrial disorders:150-160 mg, or 2 mg/kg/day.

For heart failure in adults:100 mg per day divided into 2 or 3 doses.

For recent myocardial infarction:120 mg daily in 2 divided doses.

For high blood pressure:120-200 mg per day divided into 2 doses.

For isolated systolic hypertension:60 mg twice daily.

For preventing migraine headache:100 mg three times daily.

For Parkinsons disease:300 mg, 600 mg, 1200 mg and 2400 mg per day in 3-4 divided doses.

For infertility in men:200-300 mg per day.

For muscular dystrophy:100 mg per day.

Dividing the total daily dose by taking smaller amounts two or three times a day instead of a large amount all at once can help to reduce side effects.

Side Effects

Generally Levocarnitine is well tolerated. However, few side effects including transient nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhoea may occur

Coenzyme Q10 is well tolerated and having no significant side effects. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and epigastric distress have been reported.

Toxicity

LD₅₀ > 8g/kg (mouse, oral). Adverse effects include hypertension, fever, tachycardia and seizures.

There have not been reports of adverse events of diet supplementation with ubidecarenone. The normal side effects reported in humans are related to the gastrointestinal tract.

According to the Toxnet database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the oral LD50 for zinc is close to 3 g/kg body weight, more than 10-fold higher than cadmium and 50-fold higher than mercury .

The LD50 values of several zinc compounds (ranging from 186 to 623 mg zinc/kg/day) have been measured in rats and mice .

Precaution

The safety and efficacy of oral Levocarnitine has not been evaluated in patients with renal insufficiency. Chronic administration of high doses of oral Levocarnitine in patients with severely compromised renal function or in ESRD patients on dialysis may result in accumulation of the potentially toxic metabolites, trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), since these metabolites are normally excreted in the urine

Supplemental Coenzyme Q10 may improve beta-cell function and glycemic control in type II diabetics. Therefore, those diabetic patients who do use supplemental Coenzyme Q10 should determine by appropriate monitoring if they need to make any adjustments in their diabetic medications.

Interaction

Reports of INR increase with the use of warfarin have been observed. It is recommended that INR levels be monitored in patients on warfarin therapy after the initiation of treatment with levocarnitine or after dose adjustments.

Warfarin: Supplemental Coenzyme Q10 may decrease the effectiveness of Warfarin.

Statins: The statin drugs are known to decrease Coenzyme Q10 levels in humans.

Doxorubicin: Coenzyme Q10 may increase the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin.

Antidiabetic medications: Coenzyme Q10 may improve glycemic control in some type II diabetics. If this were to occur, antidiabetic medications might need appropriate adjusting

Volume of Distribution

The steady state volume of distribution (Vss) of an intravenously administered dose, above endogenous baseline levels, was calculated to be 29.0 +/- 7.1L. However this value is predicted to be an underestimate of the true Vss.

Ubidecarenone is distributed to the various tissues of the body and it is able to enter the brain. In preclinical studies with intravenous administration of ubidecarenone, it is reported a volume of distribution of 20.4 L/kg which reflects its ability to penetrate extensively into organs and tissues. AS a general rule, tissues with high-energy requirements or metabolic activity tend to presents higher amounts of ubidecarenone, these organs can be heart, kidney, liver and muscle.

A pharmacokinetic study was done in rats to determine the distribution and other metabolic indexes of zinc in two particle sizes. It was found that zinc particles were mainly distributed to organs including the liver, lung, and kidney within 72 hours without any significant difference being found according to particle size or rat gender .

Elimination Route

Absolute bioavailability is 15% (tablets or solution). Time to maximum plasma concentration was found to be 3.3 hours.

Ubidecarenone is absorbed from the small intestine into the lymphatics and then it can enter the blood. The hydrophobicity and large molecular weight limit its absorption making it very poor and variable depending on the food intake and the number of lipids presented in the food. The absorption is lower in the presence of an empty stomach and greater in presence of high lipid food diet. The daily dosage of ubidecarenone presents the reach of maximal serum concentration by reaching a plateau after three weeks. The pharmacokinetic properties may vary between different brands but studies have reported an AUC of 11.51 mcg h/ml and a Cmax of 0.32 mcg/ml at a time of 7.9 h.

Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine by a carrier-mediated mechanism . Under regular physiologic conditions, transport processes of uptake do not saturate. The exact amount of zinc absorbed is difficult to determine because zinc is secreted into the gut. Zinc administered in aqueous solutions to fasting subjects is absorbed quite efficiently (at a rate of 60-70%), however, absorption from solid diets is less efficient and varies greatly, dependent on zinc content and diet composition .

Generally, 33% is considered to be the average zinc absorption in humans . More recent studies have determined different absorption rates for various populations based on their type of diet and phytate to zinc molar ratio. Zinc absorption is concentration dependent and increases linearly with dietary zinc up to a maximum rate [L20902].

Additionally zinc status may influence zinc absorption. Zinc-deprived humans absorb this element with increased efficiency, whereas humans on a high-zinc diet show a reduced efficiency of absorption .

Half Life

17.4 hours (elimination) following a single intravenous dose.

The pharmacokinetic properties may vary between different brands but studies have reported a half-life of ubidecarenone of 21.7 h.

The half-life of zinc in humans is approximately 280 days .

Clearance

Total body clearance was found to be a mean of 4L/h.

In preclinical studies with intravenous administration of ubidecarenone, it is reported a total clearance of 1.18 ml h/kg which was indicative of a prolonged elimination.

In one study of healthy patients, the clearance of zinc was found to be 0.63 ± 0.39 μg/min .

Elimination Route

Following a single intravenous dose, 73.1 +/- 16% of the dose was excreted in the urine during the 0-24 hour interval. Post administration of oral carnitine supplements, in addition to a high carnitine diet, 58-65% of the administered radioactive dose was recovered from urine and feces in 5-11 days.

The main elimination route of ubidecarenone is through the bile. After its oral administration, over 60% of the dose is excreted in the feces in the form of unchanged ubidecarenone and a small fraction of the metabolites. In the urine, ubidecarenone is bound to saposin B protein and represents only 8.3% of the total administered dose.

The excretion of zinc through gastrointestinal tract accounts for approximately one-half of all zinc eliminated from the body .

Considerable amounts of zinc are secreted through both biliary and intestinal secretions, however most is reabsorbed. This is an important process in the regulation of zinc balance. Other routes of zinc excretion include both urine and surface losses (sloughed skin, hair, sweat) .

Zinc has been shown to induce intestinal metallothionein, which combines zinc and copper in the intestine and prevents their serosal surface transfer. Intestinal cells are sloughed with approximately a 6-day turnover, and the metallothionein-bound copper and zinc are lost in the stool and are thus not absorbed .

Measurements in humans of endogenous intestinal zinc have primarily been made as fecal excretion; this suggests that the amounts excreted are responsive to zinc intake, absorbed zinc and physiologic need .

In one study, elimination kinetics in rats showed that a small amount of ZnO nanoparticles was excreted via the urine, however, most of the nanoparticles were excreted via the feces .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Levocarnitine is categorized by the USFDA as Pregnancy Category B. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Supplemental Levocarnitine should be used by pregnant women only if clearly indicated and only under medical supervision. It is not known whether Levocarnitine is excreted in human milk. Supplemental Levocarnitine is not advised for nursing mothers. Those with seizure disorders should only use Levocarnitine under medical advisement and supervision.

Because of lack of information on long-term safety, pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid Coenzyme Q10.

Contraindication

There is no known disease or syndrome in which Levocarnitine administration is contraindicated. It is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any of its components.

Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any component of this product

Acute Overdose

There have been no reports of toxicity from levocarnitine overdosage. Levocarnitine is easily removed from plasma by dialysis. The intravenous LD50 of levocarnitine in rats is 5.4 g/kg and the oral LD50 of levocarnitine in mice is 19.2 g/kg. Large doses of levocarnitine may cause diarrhea.

Storage Condition

Tablet: Store in a cool & dry place, protected from light & moisture.

Solution: Store in a cool & dry place, protected from light.

Store in a cool & dry place, protect from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

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