New Research and a Clinical Report on the Use of Perna Canaliculus in the Management of Arthritis
by Roger V.Kendall, PhD, Vice President of Research and Development, FoodScience Corporation, John W. Lawson, PhD, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, Clemson University & Lloyd A. Hurley, MD, Corrales, New Mexico.
摘要
青邊貽貝（簡稱Perna）是一種在紐西蘭水域發現的特有種。幾個世紀以來青邊貽貝一直是當地人的主要食物之一，而在1974年時，它被發現可能會是一種對付關節炎的自然療法（目前則稱為「順勢療法」），這項發現吸引許多科學家投入研究，並在1975年至1993年間產出許多研究論文及臨床實驗，證實青邊貽貝這種食物是可以安全、有效地緩和類風濕關節炎和骨關節炎相關的疼痛、發炎及退化等症狀。
早期的研究主要集中在青邊貽貝的抗發炎及其預防關節炎發作的特性。與一般消炎藥相比，幾項人體研究對青邊貽貝緩解多種關節炎症狀的能力，給出了積極正面的肯定。這些抗發炎及預防關節炎的主要相關成份，來自青邊貽貝提取物中的GAGs（以下簡稱GAG）醣胺聚醣，當然青邊貽貝提取物中其他成分也有助於關節炎的整體改善。例如克萊姆森大學以實驗鼠做「青邊貽貝對抗關節炎模型」的最新發現，證實了青邊貽貝還有極佳的免疫調節作用(註解：有助於風濕性關節炎)。另一個青邊貽貝臨床實驗，則有100多名患有膝關節部位的骨關節炎，臨床評估顯示了青邊貽貝提供對抗關節炎方面的擁有許多優勢。多項實驗已被證明可緩解關節炎症狀，並可能阻止病情的進展，為受影響的關節提供再生時所需的營養。
Abstract
Perna Canaliculus (Perna) is a species of green-lipped mussel found off the waters of New Zealand.For centuries this edible shellfish has been a major part of the diet of the local populations . In 1974 it was found to be a potential natural remedy arthritis.
Numerous animal and human studies, published between 1975 and 1993, have indicated that this product from the sea might offer safe and effective relief from the pain, inflammation, and other debilitating symptoms associated with both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.
Earlier animal studies focused primarily on the anti-inflammatory properties of Perna mussel and its ability to prevent the onset of induced arthritis. Several human studies gave positive results as to the mussel's ability to relieve multiple symptoms of arthritis when compared to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The beneficial properties of Perna have been linked to the presence of complex polysaccharides known as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), but studies have also shown that other components in Perna mussel may also contribute to its therapeutic effects.Recent findings at Clemson University confirmed the earlier anti-inflammatory properties of Perna in both rat and mouse arthritic models.Perna mussel also exerts a strong immune modulating effect which may explain its mechanism of action. A recently completed clinical evaluation on over 100 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee demonstrates Perna's potential in providing effective management of arthritis. Perna canaliculus has been shown to relieve arthritic symptoms and may halt the progression of the condition as well as provide nutritional support for the actual regeneration of connective tissue in the affected joints.
介紹
青邊貽貝從1975年在美國正式成為核准銷售的營養補充品，這是一種來自海洋的天然產品，其特性是預防及阻止關節炎和結締組織疾病、促進受傷關節的再生及癒合，含有天然抗發炎、調節免疫系統和重建關節所需的膠原蛋白、醣胺聚醣和滑液所需的許多基本成份。因此青邊貽貝提取物可顯著減輕關節與結締組織、肌肉骨骼問題相關的疼痛、腫脹和發炎狀況，改善關節活動性和運動耐力。
青邊貽貝在紐西蘭沿海純淨海域中生長，是一種具備特殊活性的純淨、營養的食品(後續更有外用擦的保健品問世)，這種可食用的青邊貽貝含有與人體相似的天然礦物質，幾個世紀以來一直是紐西蘭毛利人寶貴食物來源。青邊貽貝在生長曲線的高峰期(大約18個月)收成，以急速冷凍乾燥的方式加工成細粉，這種方式不會破壞營養與活性，因此完整保存蛋白質、複合碳水化合物、脂質、天然礦物質、氨基酸和粘多醣（醣胺聚醣），為身體尤其是關節提供營養。青邊貽貝的蛋白質效率比（PER）為 3.6，表明它是一種高品質的蛋白質產品。
Introduction
Perna canaliculus, also referred to as the. green-lipped mussel, has been commercially available as a food supplement in the United States since 1975. Perna is a natural product from the sea that has an exceptional ability to aid the body in halting the progression of joint and connective tissue disease as well as promote the regeneration and healing of arthritic and injured joints. The product contains natural anti -inflammatory agents, immune modulators and many essential building blocks needed to rebuild collagen, proteoglycans and synovial fluid found in the joints,
ligaments and tendons. Perna can significantly reduce the pain ,swelling and inflammation associated with connective tissue and musculoskeletal problems and improve joint mobility and exercise tolerance. Perna is a pure, nutritional, whole- food product that possesses an exceptional degree of biological activity. As a product of marine aquaculture Perna canaliculus is growa commercially in the pure, pristine waters off the coast of New Zealand. It has been a valuable food source for the native people of New Zealand for centuries. This edible green-lipped shellfish contains the ocean's natural mineral balance which is similar to that found in the human body. Perna mussel is harvested at the peak of its growth curve. The soft tissue is
separated from the shell, flash frozen, lyophilized (freeze-dried to remove the water) and processed into a fine powder. The manner in which Perna is concentrated does not destroy or inactivate the biologically active constituents. Perna contains proteins, complex carbohydrates, lipids, naturally chelated minerals, nucleic acids and mucopoly- saccharides (glycosaminoglycans) that provide nutritional support to the body and especially to the joints. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) for Perna is 3.6, showing that it is a high quality protein product.
青邊貽貝的構成
- 蛋白質（氨基酸） 60-62％
- 碳水化合物 12-14％
- GAG 醣胺聚醣（硫酸軟骨素） 11-12％
- 脂質 4-5％
- 礦物質 4-6％
- 水 3-4％
在1970～1980年之間，許多營養補充品對於關節炎患者的研究有著不同的看法。然而後來的研究發現青邊貽貝含有許多生物活性成分，可以預防和逆轉發炎的關節疾病，兩項青邊貽貝的臨床研究顯示出可對骨關節炎和類風濕性關節炎的呈陽性結果，有益於減輕患病局部疼痛、僵硬和發炎症狀並增加關節活動性，已成功用於治療人類和獸醫健康領域的退化性關節疾病和關節炎。
多年來有關醫生和患者使用青邊貽貝的狀況已有相關報導。新墨西哥州科拉萊斯的醫學博士Lloyd Hurley報導了他的幾個用青邊貽貝提取物治療患者骨關節炎的計畫，讓患者避免膝蓋手術。在這計劃使用產品經過9～12個月後，放射學證據(X光)證實軟骨已經開始在他的幾個病人的患病關節中再生，結果顯示青邊貽貝是對類風濕和骨關節炎的重要且有益的解決方案。另外許多執業獸醫的臨床報告也證實了治療狗和馬的退行性關節病是極佳的方式。
Composition of Perna canaliculus
Percentage Range
| |
Protein ( amino acids )
|
60-62 %
|
Carbohydrates
|
12-14 %
|
Glycosaminoglycans
(chondroitin sulfates)
|
11-12 %
|
Lipids
|
4-5 %
|
Minerals
|
4-6 %
|
Water
|
3-4 %
|
During the 1960s researchers working in Britain and the United States began a comprehensive search of marine organisms in an attempt to isolate possible natural drugs for the treatment of cancer. A large number of shellfish products were investigated, including the green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). Perna canaliculus was tested in a group of human cancer patients without' discernable results. What was interesting about this study was that patients who were coincidently suffering from arthritis reported less pain and joint stiffness along with improved mobility. These results prompted further research into its possible value against degenerative joint and connective tissue disorders. A number of reports with human arthritic patients in the 1970s and 1980s gave mixed results as to its value. However, later studies found that Perna mussel does contain a number of biologically active constituents, which could both prevent and reverse inflammatory joint disorders. Two human clinical studies Perna mussel showed positive results against osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Perna mussel has been used successfully to treat degenerative joint disorders and arthritis in both human and veterinary health fields. Perna has been found beneficial in reducing pain, stiffness and inflammation in the afflicted areas as well as increasing joint mobility. Positive reports on the use of Perna from doctors and patients have been reported for over two decades. Lloyd Hurley, MD, of Corrales, New Mexico has reported that several of his
patients avoided knee surgery since Perna was added to their therapeutic program to treat their osteoarthritis. After nine to twelve months on the product, radiographic evidence has confirmed that cartilage had begun to regenerate in the afflicted joints of several of his patients. Results show that Perna represents a significant and beneficial treatment program for both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Anecdotal reports from many practicing veterinarians have confirmed clinical efficacy in treating degenerative joint disease in both dogs and horses.
註：青邊貽貝提取物
紐西蘭特有種青邊貽貝，提取出的成分中以 GAG 醣胺聚醣最為矚目，因為一般的葡萄糖胺（Glucosamine）經過食用後大約6~8週才能轉換成 GAG，成為關節可用的營養，但是青邊貽貝提取物穩定存在豐富的 GAG可直接被關節使用，當然青邊貽貝提取物中含有與人體相似的天然礦物質與其他成分也有助於關節炎的整體改善。
圖片來源 My Swiss Life
青邊貽貝在生長曲線的高峰期(大約18個月)收成，以急速冷凍乾燥的方式加工成細粉，這種方式不會破壞營養與活性，因此完整保存蛋白質、複合碳水化合物、脂質、天然礦物質、氨基酸和粘多醣（GAG 醣胺聚醣），為身體尤其是關節提供營養。符合潔淨海域、保存完整營養的青邊貽貝提取物，就會有「ORIGINAL PERNA EXTRAKT」的驗證標章。
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