wanted to add that Pycnogenol (Pine Bark Extract) lowers MMP-9 quite well. I take it to help with my swollen right foot. I have some nasty Venous Insufficiency because of numerous unecessary surgeries to my leg.

It is well known that Pine Bark extract (Pycnogenol) can "FIX" this problem. The fact it prevents the condition from killing folks like me is GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!@

I no longer have severe PAIN nor INFECTIONS(Cellulites), INFECTED BLACK TOES ETC ETC.

jackD


1: Free Radic Biol Med. 2004 Mar 15;36(6):811-22.

Antioxidant activity and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by metabolites
of maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol).

Grimm T, Schafer A, Hogger P.

Institut fur Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Bayerische
Julius-Maximilians-Universitat, Wurzburg, Germany.

The procyanidin-rich maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol has well-documented
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. After oral administration of
Pycnogenol two major metabolites are formed in vivo,
delta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M1) and
delta-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M2). We elucidated the
effects of these metabolites on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and determined
their antioxidant activity to understand their contribution to the effects of
maritime pine bark extract. We discovered strong inhibitory effects of M1 and M2
toward the activity of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. On a microgram-per-milliliter
basis both metabolites appeared more active than Pycnogenol. The metabolites
were more effective than their metabolic precursor (+)-catechin in MMP
inhibition. On a cellular level, we detected highly potent prevention of MMP-9
release by both metabolites, with concentrations of 0.5 microM resulting in
about 50% inhibition of MMP-9 secretion. M1 was significantly more effective in
superoxide scavenging than (+)-catechin, ascorbic acid, and trolox, while M2
displayed no scavenging activity. Both metabolites exhibited antioxidant
activities in a redox-linked colorimetric assay, with M1 being significantly
more potent than all other compounds tested.

Thus, our data contribute to thecomprehension of Pycnogenol effects and provide
a rational basis for its use in prophylaxis and therapy of disorders
related to imbalanced or excessive MMP activity.

PMID: 14990359 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: J Inflamm (Lond). 2006 Jan 27;3:1.

Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and MMP-9 secretion by plasma of human
volunteers after ingestion of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol).

Grimm T, Chovanova Z, Muchova J, Sumegova K, Liptakova A, Durackova Z, Hogger P.

Institut fur Pharmazie und Lebensmittelchemie, Bayerische
Julius-Maximilians-Universitat, Wurzburg, Germany. hogger@pzlc.uni-wuerzburg.de

French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) displays a variety of
anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Aim of this study was to determine whether
human plasma after oral intake of Pycnogenol contains sufficient concentrations
of active principles to inhibit key mediators of inflammation. Blood samples
from seven healthy volunteers were obtained before and after five days
administration of 200 mg Pycnogenol per day. Plasma samples statistically
significantly inhibited matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) release from human
monocytes and NF-kappaB activation. Thus, we provide evidence that bioavailable
active principles of Pycnogenol exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibition of
proinflammatory gene expression which is consistent with documented clinical
observations. We suggest that our ex vivo method is suitable to substantiate
molecular pharmacological mechanisms of complex plant extracts in a more
focussed and rational way compared to in vitro studies by taking into account
the processes of absorption and metabolism.

PMID: 16441890 [PubMed]

1: Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2004 Oct;10(4):373-7.

Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights with
pycnogenol.

Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Rohdewald P, Ricci A, Ippolito E, Dugall M, Griffin M,
Ruffini I, Acerbi G, Vinciguerra MG, Bavera P, Di Renzo A, Errichi BM,
Cerritelli F.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, Irvine2 Vascular Lab, G D'Annunzio University
and San Valentino Vascular Screening Project (Pe), Faculty of Motory Sciences,
L'Aquila University, Italy. cardres@pe.abol.it

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis
(DVT) and superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) and its prophylaxis with an oral
anti-edema and antithrombotic agent (Pycnogenol, Horphag, Research Management
SA, Geneva, Switzerland) in long-haul flights, in subjects at moderate to
high-risk of DVT and SVT. The study pre-included 244 pre-selected subjects; 211
were included (33 were excluded for several reasons due to logistic problems)
and 198 completed the study; 13 subjects were lost for follow-up at the end of
the flight, all for non-medical problems (i.e., for difficult connections). All
subjects were scanned within 90 minutes before the flight and within 2 hours
after disembarking. Subjects were supplemented with 100 mg Pycnogenol per
capsule. Treatment subjects received two capsules between 2 and 3 hours before
flights with 250 mL of water; two capsules were taken 6 hours later with 250 mL
of water and one capsule the next day. The control group received comparable
placebo at the same intervals. The flight duration was on average 8 hours and 15
minutes (SD 55 min) (range, 7.45-12.33). In the control group there were five
thrombotic events (one DVT and four superficial thromboses) while only
nonthrombotic, localized phlebitis was observed in the Pycnogenol group (5.15%
vs. no events; p<0.025). The ITT (intention to treat) analysis detects 13
failures in the control group (eight lost to follow up + five thrombotic events)
of 105 subjects (12.4%) vs. five failures (4.7%; all lost, no thrombotic events)
in the treatment group (p<0.025). No unwanted effects were observed.

In conclusion, this study indicates that Pycnogenol treatment was effective in
decreasing the number of thrombotic events (DVT and SVT) in moderate-to-high
risk subjects, during long-haul flights.
PMID: 15497024 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1: Angiology. 2006 Oct-Nov;57(5):569-76.

Rapid relief of signs/symptoms in chronic venous microangiopathy with
pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study.

Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Rohdewald P, Pellegrini L, Ledda A, Vinciguerra G, Ricci
A, Gizzi G, Ippolito E, Fano F, Dugall M, Acerbi G, Cacchio M, Di Renzo A, Hosoi
M, Stuard S, Corsi M.

Irvine2 Vascular Lab and Physiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, G
'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara University, San Valentino Vascular Screening Project,
Faculty of Motory Sciences, L'Aquila University, Italy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of oral
Pycnogenol (Horphag Research Ltd, UK) in patients with severe chronic venous
insufficiency. Patients with severe venous hypertension (chronic venous
insufficiency, ankle swelling) and history of venous ulcerations were treated
with Pycnogenol. Patients received oral Pycnogenol (50 mg capsules, 3 times
daily for a total of 150 mg daily) for 8 weeks. A group of 21 patients was
included in the treatment group and 18 equivalent patients were observed as
controls (no treatment during the observation period). All 21 patients (age 53
years; range, 42-60 years; M:F=11:10) in the treatment group completed the
8-week study. Also the 18 controls completed the follow-up period. There were no
drop-outs. The average ambulatory venous pressure was 59.3 (SD 7.2; range 50-68)
with a refilling time shorter than 10 seconds (average 7.6; SD 3). There were no
differences in ambulatory venous pressure or refilling time between the
treatment and control patients. The duration of the disease-from the first
signs/symptoms-was on average 5.7 years (SD 2.1). At 4 and 8 weeks, in all
Pycnogenol-treated subjects, microcirculatory and clinical evaluations indicated
a progressive decrease in skin flux, indicating an improvement in the level of
microangiopathy; a significant decrease in capillary filtration; a significant
improvement in the symptomatic score; and a reduction in edema. There were no
visible effects in controls.

In conclusion, this study confirms the fast
clinical efficacy of Pycnogenol in patients with chronic venous insufficiency
and venous microangiopathy. The study indicates the significant clinical role of
Pycnogenol in the management, treatment and control of this common clinical
problem. The treatment may be also useful to prevent ulcerations by controlling
the level of venous microangiopathy.

PMID: 17067979 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]