Latest Reseach

Angiogenesis - that is the growth of blood vessels has been recently intensively researched in New Zealand. Deer velvet grows at up to 2cm per day. This means that all support tissues, including blood vessels must also grow at that rate. The question is how can they do this? Is it possible that deer velvet possesses unique factors which can allow blood vessels to grow that fast.

One way of showing that a substance causes blood vessel growth is to test it on fertilised chickens's eggs. As the chicken embryo develops in the egg, blood vessels grow out and surround the egg white. It is possible to treat small areas with test substances; those that reduce blood vessel growth will leave a space, those that stimulate blood vessel growth will cause an increase in the density of blood vessels. Extracts from deer velvet have been shown to increase the number of blood vessels.

A second way of showing that deer velvet causes blood vessels to grow is to take small pieces of adult deer arteries and put them in tissue culture. You can then add test substances and see if they cause outgrowths. Deer velvet extracts clearly showed filamentous threads of new blood vessels growing out from the artery. This means that the deer velvet extract causes new blood vessels to grow.

Taking these results together it is clear that there are factors in deer velvet which promote blood vessel growth. There are likely to be therapeutic properties, for example in tissue repair and wound healing.

Deer velvet is unique in that it is the only mammalian organ to fully regenerate each year. It follows that there are likely to be unique factors which are responsible for this property.
A system to identify genes which are only expressed - that is, make proteins - in antler has been developed. Three genes which are clearly present in the antler and not in the deer body have been found. The need now is to find out what these genes are doing, and is the function novel.

It can be concluded that there are novel factors in deer velvet, which are not present elsewhere in the body. These factors could be markers for deer velvet in dietary supplements or be novel action ingredients for new supplements.

Deer velvet may also contain a liver protecting factor, and indeed some recently released Canadian data points to this. NZ deer velvet has been looked at to see if it is effective by measuring the levels of liver enzymes which are raised when the liver is damaged. The effect of deer velvet processing techniques on liver protecting factors has also been looked at..
The data shows that for 2 liver enzymes, AST and AL T, levels were lower, an indication of less damage - in animals fed deer velvet compared to controls. The freeze dried deer velvet appeared slightly better than heat processed deer velvet in this respect.
It can be concluded that, in this model NZ deer velvet exerted a liver protection effect.
.
Some further recent references

Exploring the mechanisms regulating regeneration of deer antlers.

Price,-J; Allen,-S

Philosophical-Transactions-of-the-Royal-Society-of-London-Series-B,-Biological-Sciences.
2004; 359(1445): 809-822.

London, UK: Royal Society.

Deer antlers are the only mammalian appendages capable of repeated rounds of regeneration; every year they are shed and regrow from a blastema into large branched structures of cartilage and bone that are used for fighting and display. Longitudinal growth is by a process of modified endochondral ossification and in some species this can exceed 2 cm per day, representing the fastest rate of organ growth in the animal kingdom. However, despite their value as a unique model of mammalian regeneration the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We review what is currently known about the local and systemic regulation of antler regeneration and some of the many unsolved questions of antler physiology are discussed. Molecules that we have identified as having potentially important local roles in antlers include parathyroid hormone-related peptide and retinoic acid (RA). Both are present in the blastema and in the rapidly growing antler where they regulate the differentiation of chondrocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts in vitro.Recent studies have shown that blockade of RA signalling can alter cellular differentiation in the blastema in vivo. The trigger that regulates the expression of these local signals is likely to be changing levels of sex steroids because the process of antler regeneration is linked to the reproductive cycle. The natural assumption has been that the most important hormone is testosterone, however, at a cellular level oestrogen may be a more significant regulator. Our data suggest that exogenous oestrogen acts as a 'brake', inhibiting the proliferation of progenitor cells in the antler tip while stimulating their differentiation, thus inhibiting continued growth. Deciphering the mechanism(s) by which sex steroids regulate cell-cycle progression and cellular differentiation in antlers may help to address why regeneration is limited in other mammalian tissues.

The effects of elk velvet antler consumption on the rat: development, behavior, toxicity and the activity of liver gamma
-glutamyltranspeptidase.

Hemmings,-S-J; Song-XiuYuan

Comparative-Biochemistry-and-Physiology-C,-Toxicology-and-Pharmacology.2004; 138(1): 105-112.

The effect of exposure to, followed by consumption of, a diet containing 10% powdered elk velvet antler (EVA) from the 18th day of gestation to the 88th day after birth was examined in male and female Fischer 344 rats. There were no teratogenic effects of EVA exposure in utero or differences in birth outcomes between pups born to regular chow fed and EVA chow fed dams. Growth curves of the EVA fed rats were identical to those of regular chow fed rats, as were developmental milestones of pinna development and eye-opening. Acoustical startle and righting reflexes, developmental and behavioral indices, were identical. Blood glucose levels were comparable in EVA chow fed and regular chow fed rats, indicating that EVA is without effect on glucose balance.There were no signs of toxicity in the EVA chow fed compared to regular chow fed rats as judged from plasma enzyme markers of liver damage: plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase were 50% lower in EVA chow fed rats compared to regular chow fed rats; and plasma levels of gamma -glutamyltranspeptidase ( gamma GT) were the same. The activity of gamma GT displayed a decrease in the livers of EVA chow fed rats, more so in the male (22%) than in the female (14%), suggestive of an androgenic effect. A possible hepatobeneficial effect of the EVA induced decrease in liver gamma GT is discussed. In summary, dietary 10% EVA chow is without long term effect on growth, development and behavior is non-toxic and may be hepatobeneficial.

Clinical evaluation of a powder of quality elk velvet antler for the treatment of osteoarthrosis in dogs.

Moreau,-M; Dupuis,-J; Bonneau,-N-H; Lecuyer,-M

Canadian-Veterinary-Journal. 2004; 45(2): 133-139.

A powder of quality elk velvet antler (QEVA) was evaluated on client-owned dogs with osteoarthrosis (OA) in a clinical, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Thirteen dogs received a placebo for 30 days and then QEVA for 60 days. Twenty-five other dogs received QEVA for 60 days. Gait analysis measured with a force plate, clinical signs assessed by an orthopedic surgeon, performances in daily life activities and vitality assessed by the owners, and complete blood analyses were obtained at days 0, after 30 days of placebo and/or 60 days of QEVA. On placebo, the 13 dogs did not show significant improvement (P<0.05); however, their gait, their performances in daily life activities, and their vitality were significantly improved on QEVA, based on changes in values exceeding those observed when placebo was administered. The 25 dogs on QEVA for 60 days showed similar improvements. No clinical changes were revealed on blood analyses. Administration of QEVA was effective in alleviating the condition in arthritic dogs.

Effect of deer antler drink supplementation on blood pressure blood glucose and lymphocyte DNA damage in type 2 diabetic patients.

Kim-HyeYoung; Jeon-EunJae; Park-YooKyoung; Kang-MyungHee

Korean-Journal-of-Nutrition. 2004; 37(9): 794-800.

Deer antler has been known for its traditional oriental medicinal properties and has been widely used to promote growth, boost immune function, treat blood loss and chronic joint pain. Recent study showed imported (New Zealand) deer antler was beneficial in reducing the side effects of cancer treatments. However, there was no intervention study conducted on the effect of deer antlers from Korea Republic on reducing the oxidative stress to patients with diabetes. One of the sensitive ways to measure endogenous oxidative stress is by measuring cellular DNA damage using single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay). A study was conducted to investigate the possible beneficial effect of a commercial deer antler drink (provided by Chung-yang Deer Farm) on lymphocyte DNA damage and blood glucose of diabetic patients. 10 patients (4 men, 6 women) participated in the study and consumed 2 pouches of deer antler drink every day for 20 days. Blood was collected on the morning before and after the intervention for lymphocyte isolation and blood glucose analysis. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a tendency to decrease but did not reach statistical significance after the trial. Blood glucose level was not affected by the supplementation. After the intervention, over 50% reduction were noted in the cellular DNA damage, expressed as tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM; tail length x percent tail DNA). Although a beneficial effect on lowering blood glucose levels in the patients was not obtained, the results suggest that deer antler may initially act in protecting endogenous DNA damage in short term experiment.

Expression of PTHrP and the PTH/PTHrP receptor in growing red deer antler.

Barling,-P-M; Liu-Hong; Matich,-J; Mount,-J; Lai-KaWai-[Lai,-K-W-A]; Ma-Li; Nicholson,-L-F-B

Cell-Biology-International. 2004; 28(10): 661-673.

Antler growth is highly co-ordinated, so that trabecular bone and antler skin (velvet) develop together, at a rapid rate and in a manner reminiscent of their development in the fetus. Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) is expressed in both bone and skin, and is therefore a candidate to effect co-ordination between these tissues. The aim of this study was to localize the expression of PTHrP and its principal receptor, the parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor (PTH/PTHrPR), in antler ("spiker") of one-year-old red deer. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, intense and overlapping expression of PTHrP and its receptor was seen in developing osseocartilaginous structures and in the underlying layers of velvet epidermis. PTHrP was located on both the cell surface and within the nuclei. Our results strongly suggest that PTHrP, acting via the
PTH/PTHrPR and possibly other intracrine mechanisms, plays a central role in the co-ordinated regulation of cell division and differentiation of developing antler bone and skin.

Study on healthful wine.

Bao-HaiYing

Journal-of-Economic-Animal. 2004; 8(2): 74-77.

This paper discusses the technological process, key points of operation, quality standards, and nutrient composition of 'healthy
wine', as well as factors that partly affect the quality of this type of wine. 'Healthy wine' is made from white grape wine and traditional
Chinese medicinal materials (hard deer antler, Taraxacum and Poria) which are prepared using special methods.

Modification of concanavalin A-dependent proliferation by phosphatidylcholines isolated from deer antler, Cervus elaphus.

Kim-KiHwan; Lee-EuiJung; Kim-Kilhyoun; Han-SoYeop; Jhon-GilJa

Nutrition-. 2004; 20(4): 394-401.

OBJECTIVE: The immunomodulatory effect of deer antler, which is used as traditional medicine, has been known, but the active component of antlers from Cervus elaphus has not been identified. In this study, we identified the immunomodulator from C. elaphus and examined its biological activities on the immune system.

METHODS: To identify an immunomodulator, we used bioassay-guided fractionation after silica gel column chromatography. Structural analysis was performed with one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and tandem mass
spectrometry coupled with fast atom bombardment. RESULTS: The subfraction, phosphatidylcholines, isolated 70% ethanol extract of C. elaphus induced the proliferation of spleen cells in synergy with concanavalin A. According to the structural analysis,
phosphatidylcholines were classified as a family (1,2-alkyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholines) containing arachidonyl
(C20:4), stearoyl (C18:0), oleoyl (C18:1), linoleoyl (C18:2), palmitoyl (C16:0), and myristoyl (C14:0) chains in their fatty acyl chains. Because the unsaturated fatty acids showed an inhibitory effect on the immune system, dialkyl phosphatidylcholines with different chain lengths from C10:0 to C20:0 that stimulate the proliferation of spleen cells were examined extensively. Among other saturated phosphatidylcholines used, dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (C14:0) induced the proliferation of spleen cells more efficiently, whereas dimyristoleoyl phosphatidylcholine (C14:1) effected little change in the proliferation of spleen cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data collectively suggest that phosphatidylcholines with saturated fatty acyl chains are immunostimulating factors. They may modify the proliferation of known mitogens. Further, chain length and saturation of the fatty acids may
play important roles in the proliferation of spleen cells.

The effects of deer antler velvet extract or powder supplementation on aerobic power, erythropoiesis, and muscular strength and endurance characteristics.

Sleivert G, Burke V, Palmer C, Walmsley A, Gerrard D, Haines S, Littlejohn R.

Faculty of Kinesiology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3.

Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2003 Sep;13(3):251-65.

To determine the effects of deer antler velvet on maximal aerobic performance and the trainability of muscular strength and endurance, 38 active males were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to either deer antler velvet extract (n = 12), powder (n = 13), or placebo groups (n = 13). Subjects were tested prior to beginning supplementation and a 10-week strength program, and immediately post-training. All subjects were measured for circulating levels of testosterone, insulin-like growth factor, erythropoietin, red cell mass, plasma volume, and total blood volume. Additionally, muscular strength, endurance, and VO2max were determined. All groups improved 6 RM strength equivalently (41 +/- 26%, p < .001), but there was a greater increase in isokinetic knee extensor strength (30 +/- 21% vs. 13 +/- 15%, p = .04) and endurance (21 +/- 19% vs. 7 +/- 12%, p = .02) in the powder compared to placebo group. There were no endocrine, red cell mass or VO2max changes in any group. These findings do not support an erythropoetic or aerobic ergogenic effect of deer antler velvet. Further, the inconsistent findings regarding the effects of deer antler velvet powder supplementation on the development of strength suggests that further work is required to test the robustness of the observation that this supplement enhances the strength training response and to ensure this observation is not a type I error.

Elk velvet antler in rheumatoid arthritis: phase II trial.

Allen M, Oberle K, Grace M, Russell A.

Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. marion.allen@ualberta.ca

Biol Res Nurs. 2002 Jan;3(3):111-8.

The purpose of this phase II clinical trial was to examine safety of elk velvet antler taken concurrently with rheumatoid arthritis medications and to determine efficacy by dose to enable sample size estimation and dose standardization for a larger study. Forty patients with stage II rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 arms of 10 patients each. One group received placebo and the other 3 groups received 2, 4, or 6 capsules (215 mg) of elk velvet antler with appropriate placebos to total 6 capsules daily. All subjects continued to take their arthritis medications. Outcome variables were reported adverse events and health status. At 1 month, there were no significant differences between groups in number of adverse events or health status. The greatest improvement was in the 6 elk velvet antler group, the least was in the placebo group. Differences were not statistically significant. It was concluded that elk velvet antler can be taken safely in conjunction with a number of rheumatoid arthritis medications and should be studied further to assess efficacy.

Velvet antler polypeptides promoted proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors and fracture healing.

Zhou QL, Guo YJ, Wang LJ, Wang Y, Liu YQ, Wang Y, Wang BX.

Research Centre of New Drug, Changchun College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China.

AIM: To study the effects of velvet antler (VA) total polypeptides (VATP) and VA polypeptides, VAP-A, VAP-B, and VAP-C on proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precusors. METHODS: Chondrocytes (rabbit and human fetus) and osteoblast precusors (chick embryo) were incubated in the culture medium containing VATP or VAP-A, VAP-B, and VAP-C. [3H]TdR incorporation into DNA was measured. Fracture healing-promoting action of VATP was determined in rats. RESULTS: VATP 50-200 mg.L-1 and VAP-B 12.5, 25, and 50 mg.L-1 showed most marked proliferation-promoting activity for rabbit costed chondrocytes and increased incorporation of [3H]TdR from (73 +/- 9) Bq (control group) to (272 +/- 55), (327 +/- 38), and (415 +/- 32) Bq, respectively (P < 0.01). The activity of VAP-A was weaker than that of VAP-B, and VAP-C had no activity. VATP 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 by local injection into the cross-section fracture area accelerated healing of radial fracture. The healing rate of VATP-treated group was higher (75%) than that of control group (25%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: VATP accelerated fracture healing by stimulating proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors.

Comparative analysis of contents of amino acid, total phospholipid, calcium and phosphorus in sika deer velvet bone slices with blood and without blood.

Wang-YanMei; Chu-LiWei; Wang-YanHong; Wang-ShuLi; Wang-YM; Chu-LW; Wang-YH; Wang-SL

Journal-of-Economic-Animal. 2003, 7: 2, 21-23; 8 ref.

In this study, the amino acid, total phospholipid, Ca and P contents of bones from sika deer (Cervus nippon) were determined. Total amino acid(44.47%), total phospholipid (1.048%), Ca (6.625%) and P (6.661%) contents of the bone slices with blood were not different from those (42.67, 1.027, 7.394 and 7.347, respectively) without blood (P > 0.05).

Influence of powdered velvet antler on growth and intestinal organ development in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Sung-HG; Kim-DK; Shin-HT

Journal-of-Animal-Science-and-Technology. 2003, 45: 5, 749-758; 33 ref.

The velvet antler of Korean sika deer is used as an important resource of human health care with ginseng in Korea and China. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of powdered velvet antler on growth, feed intake, feed efficiency and intestinal organ development in growing and adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into three groups: control (non-supplementation), powdered velvet antler I (PVA I, recommended dose) and powdered velvet antler II (PVA II, thrice recommended dose). The recommended dose of powdered velvet in this experiment was calculated with metabolic body weight of rats which was based on the recommended amounts for humans at 70 kg. The growth rate of growing and adult rats generally appeared to be advantageous in PVA supplemented rats. Final body weight of control, PVA I and II were 470±39.00, 478±30.33 and 475±22.72 g in growing rats, respectively, and 485±38.50, 521±38.67 and 508±34.44 g in adult rats, respectively. Average daily feed intake was not significantly influenced but the feed efficiency ratios (feed/gain) were improved by PVA supplementation. Feed/gain ratios of control, PVA I and II were 5.99, 5.47 and 5.54 for growing rats, respectively, and 9.04, 7.73 and 8.18 in adult rats, respectively. In case of developments of liver, heart, kidney and stomach, we obtained favourable results in both PVA I and II, but their results were not significantly different according to amount of PVA supplementation. Because liver and heart are important organs in the circulation of blood, their favourable effects suggest that velvet antler may have factors contributing to haematopoiesis. It is concluded that supplementation of powdered velvet antler resulted in improved growth, feed efficiency and development of some intestinal organs in growing and adult rats.

Modification of concanavalin A-dependent proliferation by phosphatidylcholines isolated from deer antler, Cervus elaphus.

Kim-KiHwan; Lee-EuiJung; Kim-Kilhyoun; Han-SoYeop; Jhon-GilJa; Kim-KH; Lee
-EJ; Kim-K; Han-SY; Jhon-GJ

Nutrition. 2004, 20: 4, 394-401; 29 ref.

OBJECTIVE: The immunomodulatory effect of deer antler, which is used as traditional medicine, has been known, but the active component of antlersfrom Cervus elaphus has not been identified. In this study, we identified the immunomodulator from C. elaphus and examined its biological activities on the immune system. METHODS: To identify an immunomodulator, we used bioassay-guided fractionation after silica gel column chromatography. Structural analysis was performed with one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance techniques and tandem mass spectrometry coupled with fast atom bombardment. RESULTS: The subfraction, phosphatidylcholines, isolated 70% ethanol extract of C. elaphus induced the proliferation of spleen cells in synergy with concanavalin A. According to the structural analysis, phosphatidylcholines were classified as a family (1,2-alkyl-sn-glycerol-3- phosphocholines) containing arachidonyl (C20:4), stearoyl (C18:0), oleoyl (C18:1), linoleoyl (C18:2), palmitoyl (C16:0), and myristoyl (C14:0) chains in their fatty acyl chains. Because the unsaturated fatty acids showed an inhibitory effect on the immune system, dialkyl phosphatidylcholines with different chain lengths from C10:0 to C20:0 that stimulate the proliferation of spleen cells were examined extensively. Among other saturated phosphatidylcholines used, dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (C14:0) induced the proliferation of spleen cells more efficiently, whereas dimyristoleoyl phosphatidylcholine (C14:1) effected little change in the proliferation of spleen cells.

CONCLUSIONS: These data collectively suggest that phosphatidylcholines with saturated fatty acyl chains are immunostimulating factors. They may modify the proliferation of known mitogens. Further, chain length and saturation of the fatty acids may play important roles in the proliferation of spleen cells.

Cells in regenerating deer antler cartilage provide a microenvironment that supports osteoclast differentiation.

Faucheux-C; Nesbitt-SA; Horton-MA; Price-JS

Journal-of-Experimental-Biology. 2001, 204: 3, 443-455; Many ref.

Lysophosphatidylcholine derived from deer antler extract suppresses hyphal transition in Candida albicans through MAP kinase pathway.

Min-Juyoung; Lee-YounJin; Kim-YoungAh; Park-HyunSook; Han-SoYeop; Jhon -GilJa; Choi-Wonja; Min-J; Lee-YJ; Kim-YA; Park-HS; Han-SY; Jhon-GJ; Choi-W

Biochimica-et-Biophysica-Acta,-Molecular-and-Cell-Biology-of-Lipids. 2001, 1531: 1-2, 77-89; 35 ref.

A family of 2-lysophosphatidylcholines (lyso-PCs) was isolated from deer antler extract, guided exclusively by hyphal transition inhibitory activity in Candida albicans. Structural determination of the isolated lyso-PCs by spectroscopic methods, including infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, 2D correlation spectroscopy NMR, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, confirmed that the natural products were composed of at least 4 different lyso-PCs varying in fatty acid moiety at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone. The major lyso-PCs were confirmed as 1-stearoyl-, 1-oleoyl-, 1-linoleoyl- and 1-palmitoyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholines. Lyso-PC specifically suppressed the morphogenic transition from yeast to hyphae in C. albicans, without affecting the growth of either yeast or hyphae. Lyso-PC exerted hyphal transition that suppressed activity in the broad spectrum of the Candida species, such as C. albicans, C. krusei, C.guilliermondii and C. parapsilosis. Northern analysis indicated that the suppression was mediated through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

A study on the intake patterns of health food of the elderly aged over 60 years in the Chuncheon area.

Rhee-HeeSeoup; Lee-HaiSook; Yee-JungAe; Kang-KeumJee; Rhee-HS; Lee-HS; Yee-JA; Kang-KJ

This study was carried out to investigate the intake patterns of health food according to the kind of disease of the elderly aged over 60 yearsliving in the Chuncheon area, Korea Republic. This study was conducted by using a questionnaire between December 1999 and March 2000. The data was analysed using a SPSS program. The results were summarized as follows: The poorer the self-perceived health condition, the lower the level of activity of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were, the higher the frequency score of health food intake. The incidence of diseases, such as arthritis (44.7%), hypertension (18.8%),
digestive diseases (17.1%), diabetes (10.5%) were found to be higher than other chronic diseases among the elderly. The frequency score of health food intake was not significantly different according to self-perceived health status, disease status, or the level of ADL and IADL. The most important source of information for health food intake was the recommendation of friends and relatives (68.7%). 28.2% of the elderly considered health foods to be effective, however 8.3% of the elderly considered them to be ineffective. The elderly with chronic diseases had taken health foods in the descending order of neuralgia-arthritis, hypertension, digestive disease, diabetes. The elderly with digestivediseases, diabetes, renal disease, neuralgia-arthritis and respiratory disease were inclined to habitually take health foods once or twice per year. Intake of Korean traditional folk foods was as high as intake of
registered health food and Chinese tonic medicine. The most frequently taken health food was tonic medicine, which is followed by pumpkin, ginseng products, herbal tea formula with black goat, deer antler and Kye -so-ju. Intakes of health foods such as tonic medicine, blood of the deer, royal jelly, aloe were found to be higher among the elderly with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and digestive disease. However, intakes of ginseng products, deer antler, pumpkin, herbal tea formula with black goat and Kye-so-ju were found to be higher among the healthy elderly. The elderly with neuralgia-arthritis had taken 16 kinds of health
foods. From these results, a wide consumer education program should be developed to convince people of the importance of well-balanced diet and to choose proper health foods according to the elderly's health conditions. Also, comprehensive and scientific research into Korean traditional folk foods are needed for the correct use.

Deer antler : scientific review. Les bois de cerf : revue de litterature scientifique.

Crigel-MH; Balligand-M; Heinen-E

Annales-de-Medecine-Veterinaire. 2001, 145: 1, 25-38; 100 ref.

Toxicological evaluation of New Zealand deer velvet powder. Part I: acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies in rats.

Zhang-H; Wanwimolruk-S; Coville-PF; Schofield-JC; Williams-G; Haines-SR;
Suttie-JM

Food-and-Chemical-Toxicology. 2000, 38: 11, 985-990; 13 ref.

Potential toxic effects of acute and subchronic dosage regimens of deer velvet powder have been assessed in rats following OECD guidelines. In the acute study, rats of both sexes were exposed to a single dose of 2 g/kg body weight. There was no mortality or other signs of toxicity during 14 days' observation. Furthermore, no significant alteration either in relative organ weights or their histology was discernible at terminal autopsy. In the 90-day subchronic study, deer velvet was administered in 1 g/kg daily doses by gavage to rats. A control group of rats received water only. There was no effect on body weight, food consumption, clinical
signs, haematology and most parameters of blood chemistry including carbohydrate metabolism, liver and kidney function. No significant differences were seen between the mean organ weights of the adrenal, kidney and brain in rats treated with deer velvet and control rats.

However, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the group meanrelative liver weight (3.52±0.30 vs 3.81±0.26 g/100 g body weight) of deer velvet-treated and control male rats. The gross necropsy and pathological examination of rats treated with deer velvet did not reveal any abnormalities in tissue morphology. Based on these results, it may be concluded that rats had no deer velvet treatment-related toxicological and histopathological abnormalities at the doses administered, despite the observed minor changes in liver weight.

Cells in regenerating deer antler cartilage provide a microenvironment that
supports osteoclast differentiation.

Faucheux-C; Nesbitt-SA; Horton-MA; Price-JS

Journal-of-Experimental-Biology. 2001, 204: 3, 443-455; Many ref.

Lysophosphatidylcholine derived from deer antler extract suppresses hyphal
transition in Candida albicans through MAP kinase pathway.

Min-Juyoung; Lee-YounJin; Kim-YoungAh; Park-HyunSook; Han-SoYeop; Jhon
-GilJa; Choi-Wonja; Min-J; Lee-YJ; Kim-YA; Park-HS; Han-SY; Jhon-GJ; Choi-W

Biochimica-et-Biophysica-Acta,-Molecular-and-Cell-Biology-of-Lipids. 2001,
1531: 1-2, 77-89; 35 ref.

A family of 2-lysophosphatidylcholines (lyso-PCs) was isolated from deerantler extract, guided exclusively by hyphal transition inhibitory activity in Candida albicans. Structural determination of the isolated lyso-PCs by spectroscopic methods, including infrared spectroscopy, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, 2D correlation spectroscopy NMR, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry, confirmed that the natural products were composed of at least 4 different
lyso-PCs varying in fatty acid moiety at the sn-1 position of the glycerol backbone.

The major lyso-PCs were confirmed as 1-stearoyl-, 1-oleoyl-, 1-linoleoyl- and 1-palmitoyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholines. Lyso-PC specifically suppressed the morphogenic transition from yeast to hyphae in C. albicans, without affecting the growth of either yeast or hyphae. Lyso-PC exerted hyphal transition that suppressed activity in the broad spectrum of the Candida species, such as C. albicans, C. krusei, C. guilliermondii and C. parapsilosis. Northern analysis indicated that the
suppression was mediated through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I in adult male white-tailed
deer (Odocoileus virginianus): associations with serum testosterone,
morphometrics and age during and after the breeding season.

Ditchkoff-SS; Spicer-LJ; Masters-RE; Lochmiller-RL

Comparative-Biochemistry-and-Physiology.-A,-Molecular-and-Integrative
-Physiology. 2001, 129: 4, 887-895; 57 ref.

Our understanding of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in cervids has been limited mostly to its effects on antler development in red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), fallow deer (Dama dama),and pudu (Pudu puda). Although IGF-I has been found to play a critical role in reproductive function of other mammals, its role in reproduction of deer is unknown. The objectives of the present study were to determine if serum levels of IGF-I change during the breeding season, assess whether age influences serum IGF-I, compare levels of IGF-I measured during and following the breeding season, and determine if IGF-I is associated with
body and antler characteristics in free-ranging adult, male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We collected serum and morphometric data from hunter-harvested and captured white-tailed deer to investigate these objectives. Mean level of serum IGF-I during the breeding season was 63.6 ng/ml and was greatest in deer between 2.5 and 5.5 years old (57.4-79.9 ng/ml). Levels of serum IGF-I decreased by approximately 40% as the breeding season progressed, but levels were less in deer following the
breeding season (34.6 ng/ml). Both body and antler size were associated positively with IGF-I when controlling for age. Serum testosterone was also associated positively with IGF-I. Levels of serum testosterone during the breeding season generally increased with age from 4.82 (1.5 years old) to 18.79 ng/dl (5.5 years old), but decreased thereafter. These data suggest that IGF-I may be an important hormone in breeding, male white -tailed deer.

Potential uses of velvet antler as nutraceuticals, functional and medical
foods in the West.

Sunwoo-HH; Sim-JS

Journal-of-Nutraceuticals,-Functional-and-Medical-Foods. 2000, 2: 3, 5-23;
38 ref.

Velvet antlers have been used as Oriental medicine for many centuries.Traditional medical reports and clinical observations from the Eastern world convincingly show that velvet antler is biologically active.However, little information is available on chemical and biological efficacy of antler products in the West due to the incomplete understanding of the uses and pharmacological properties of velvet antlers. To make antler products acceptable as nutraceuticals and functional foods in the West, antler research has been conducted to isolate and characterize the chemical and biological properties of velvet antlers. The chemical composition of antler was determined in four sections (tip, upper, middle, and base). Contents of dry matter, collagen, ash, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium increased (P<0.05), and those of protein and lipid decreased (P<0.05) downward from the tip to the base.

The concentrations of uronic acid, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and sialic acid decreased (P<0.05) downward. Amino acid and fatty acid contents, expressed as percentage of total protein and lipid, respectively, also varied (P<0.05) among sections. The yield of chondroitin sulfate (CS) was approximately six fold greater in the cartilaginous (tip and upper) sections than in the bony (middle and base) sections. In addition to CS, the antler sections contained small amounts of keratan sulfate (KS), hyaluronic acid, and dermatan sulfate. Two proteoglycans associated with GAGs were also extracted from the cartilaginous section; a large aggregated proteoglycan with CS and KS and small molecules of decorin. Water soluble extracts rich in GAG stimulated
the growth of bovine fibroblast in culture. Feeding antler diet for 54 days showed a significant effect on the growth rate of immunized rats. Diet antler powder resulted in a significant increase of HDL-C/LDL-C ratio (P<0.05). The result appears to reflect the involvement of unknown factor(s) derived from the antler diet suggesting the importance for the prevention of the risk of coronary heart disease. Haematocrit value and iron content in plasma also significantly increased by feeding antler powder (P<0.05). The data suggest that there are significant unknown factor(s) in the antler powder that enhances the biological performance of
growing rats.

Effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 and testosterone on the
proliferation of antlerogenic cells in vitro.

Li-ChunYi; Littlejohn-RP; Suttie-JM; Li-CY

Journal-of-Experimental-Zoology. 1999, 284: 1, 82-90; 27 ref.

The aim of this study was to use cell culture techniques to investigate how testosterone and IGF1 affects the proliferation of antlerogenic cells from the four ossification stages of pedicle/antler in vitro. The results showed that in serum-free medium IGF1 stimulated the proliferation of antlerogenic cells from all four ossification stages (intramembraneous (IMO), transistional (OPC), pedicle endrochondral (pECO) and antler enfochondral (aECO)) in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, testosterone
alone did not show any mitogenic effects on these antlerogenic cells.

However, in the presence of IGF1, testosterone increased proliferation of the antlerogenic cells from the IMO and the OPC stages (pedicle tissue), and reduced proliferation of the antlerogenic cells from transformation point (TP) and aECO stages (antler tissue). Therefore, the results from the present in vitro study support the in vivo findings that androgen hormones stimulate pedicle formation but inhibit antler growth. The change in the mitogenic effects of testosterone on antlerogenic cells from positive to negative occurs approximately at the change in ossification type from OPC to pECO. Therefore, these results reinforce the hypothesis
that the transformation from a pedicle to an antler takes place at the time when the ossification type changes from OPC to pECO rather than at the time when the pedicle grows to its full species-specific height.

Seasonal changes of testis volume, scrotal circumference and serum
testosterone concentrations in male sika deer (Cervus nippon).

Kameyama-Y; Takahashi-R; Ito-M; Maru-R; Ishijima-Y

Animal-Science-Journal. 2000, 71: 2, 137-142; 23 ref.

Annual changes in the concentration of serum testosterone (T) in sika deer stags were examined. The relationships between T concentration and the size of testis, and between T concentration and the antler cycle were also evaluated. T concentration increased between July and September, then decreased between October and November. The highest T concentration was noted in September or October. During the period from November to the following July, T concentration remained low. The volume of the testis and scrotal circumference showed changes similar to those in the T concentration. The testis volume showed clearer seasonal changes than those of the scrotal circumference. Shedding of velvets was observed during the period of high T concentrations. It is concluded that there are distinct annual changes in the blood T concentration in sika deer stags, which are related to the annual changes in testis volumes, scrotal circumferences and antlers.

Antinarcotic effects of the velvet antler water extract on morphine in mice.

Kim-HackSeang; Lim-HwaKyung; Park-WooKyu; Kim-HS; Lim-HK; Park-WK

Journal-of-Ethnopharmacology. 1999, 66: 1, 41-49; 35 ref.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the antinarcotic effects of velvet antler water extract (VAWE) from Cervus elaphus on morphine in mice. Morphine-induced analgesic action was measured by the tail-flick method. Morphine-induced hyperactivity and reverse tolerance were evidenced by measuring the enhanced ambulatory activity using a tilting -type ambulometer. Dopamine (DA) receptor supersensitivity in mice displaying morphine-induced reverse tolerance was evidenced by the
enhanced response in ambulatory activity to the DA agonist, apomorphine. The repeated administration of VAWE significantly inhibited the development of morphine-induced analgesic tolerance, physical dependence, reverse tolerance and postsynaptic DA receptor supersensitivity. But a single administration of VAWE neither antagonized morphine-induced analgesia nor inhibited morphine-induced hyperactivity. From the above results, it is presumed that VAWE may be useful for prevention and therapy
of the adverse actions of morphine caused by the repeated administration of morphine.

Effect of water-soluble extract from antler of wapiti (Cervus elaphus) on
the growth of fibroblasts.

Sunwoo-HH; Nakano-T; Sim-JS

Canadian-Journal-of-Animal-Science. 1997, 77: 2, 343-345; 7 ref.

Water-soluble extracts were prepared from the tip sections of antlers of 4 -year-old wapiti stags, and the effect of the extract on the growth of bovine skin fibroblasts in culture was examined. The results showed the presence of growth promoting factor(s) in the antler extract. The stimulation of cell growth was found to be dose-dependent (P<0.05).

Glycosaminoglycans from growing antlers of wapiti (Cervus elaphus).
Sunwoo-HH; Sim-LYM; Nakano-T; Hudson-RJ; Sim-JS

Canadian-Journal-of-Animal-Science. 1997, 77: 4, 715-721; 33 ref.

The emerging wapiti industry in North America is based largely on markets for velvet antlers which are used in oriental medicine. Despite the economic opportunity, enthusiasm has been dampened by incomplete understanding of the chemical and pharmacological properties of velvet antler. This study characterizes polysaccharide constituents of glycosaminoglycans in growing antler of wapiti (Cervus elaphus). Glycosaminoglycans were isolated from four sections (tip, upper, middle and base) of growing antlers, and were studied using cellulose acetate electrophoresis, gel electrophoresis, enzymic digestion and gel chromatography. The tip and upper sections of the antler which are rich in cartilaginous tissues contained chondroitin sulfate as a major glycosaminoglycan with small amounts of hyaluronic acid. In the middle and base sections containing bone and bone marrow, chondroitin sulfate was
also a major glycosaminoglycan with small amounts of hyaluronic acid and chondroitinase-ACI resistant materials. More than half of chondroitin sulfate from the middle and base sections had larger molecular size than did the chondroitin sulfates from the tip and upper sections.