IRVINE, Calif., June 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AtheroNova
Inc. (OTCBB: AHRO), a biotech company focused on the research and
development of compounds to safely regress atherosclerotic plaque
and improve lipid profiles in humans, today announced publication
of the preclinical study that supported the clinical development of
the Company's investigational AHRO-001 drug. The study, which
was conducted by scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine,
University of California Los Angeles,
was published in the June 10, 2013
online issue of the FASEB Journal in advance of the print
issue.
"This was essential work in the early development of AHRO-001
and we feel this is a validation of our hypotheses regarding our
compound and its methods of action," commented AtheroNova CEO
Thomas W. Gardner. "We would
like to thank our friends at the Lusis Lab at UCLA for all of their diligent research, analysis
writing and editing of this milestone publication in the FASEB
Journal. This continues our recent string of accomplishments as we
continue the transition from the development-stage to the clinical
stage of the Company."
In this study, investigators examined the effects of AHRO-001 on
lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-null (LDLRKO)
mice. Female LDLRKO mice were maintained on a high fat diet for 8
weeks and then divided into two groups that received chow, or chow
+ AHRO-001, diets for 15 weeks. Notable study findings include:
- Investigators observed that mice fed the AHRO-001 diet were
leaner and exhibited a 37% decrease in fasting plasma glucose
level.
- AHRO-001 supplementation significantly decreased
atherosclerotic lesion size at the aortic root region, the entire
aorta, and the innominate artery by 44% (P<0.0001), 48%
(P<0.01), and 94% (P<0.01), respectively, as compared with
the chow group.
- Plasma VLDL/IDL/LDL cholesterol levels were significantly
decreased, by 61% (P<0.05), in the AHRO-001 group as compared
with the chow diet group. AHRO-001 supplementation decreased
intestinal cholesterol absorption by 76% (P<0.0001) as compared
with the chow group.
- HDL isolated from the AHRO-001 group exhibited significantly
increased ability to mediate cholesterol efflux ex vivo as compared
with HDL of the chow diet group.
- AHRO-001 significantly increased the expression of genes
involved in cholesterol efflux, such as Abca1, Abcg1, and
Apoe, in a macrophage cell line. Thus, AHRO-001 is a candidate
for anti-atherosclerotic drug therapy.
"This study supports AHRO-001 as a potential new agent to not
only lower cholesterol level but decrease atherosclerotic lesions,"
noted Diana Shih, PhD., Associate
Professor, Division of Cardiology, David Geffen School of Medicine,
UCLA, and lead author of the study.
"These results provide the rationale for larger and longer studies
to learn more about the effectiveness of this drug, and to give us
a better chance of identifying the most effective ways in treating
these conditions."
About AHRO-001
AHRO-001 is AtheroNova's first novel
application for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerotic plaque is the primary, underlying cause of heart
disease and stroke in industrialized countries. AtheroNova has
shown positive results in animal models for regression of plaque
and is now starting human studies in pursuit of these same
successful results.
About AtheroNova
AtheroNova Inc. is a biotechnology
company focused on the discovery, research, development and
licensing of novel compounds to safely reduce or regress
atherosclerotic plaque deposits and improve lipid profiles in
humans. In addition to its lead compound AHRO-001, AtheroNova plans
to develop multiple applications for its patented and
patents-pending therapies in market sectors that include:
Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke, Peripheral Artery Disease, Dementia
and Alzheimer's and Erectile Dysfunction, all of which have been
linked to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis and its related
pharmaceutical expenses for these indications cost consumers more
than $41 billion annually in
the United States alone. For more
information, please visit www.AtheroNova.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release
includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the
current beliefs and expectations of AtheroNova's management and are
subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying
assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize,
actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements.
Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to,
general industry conditions and competition; significant
fluctuations in expenses associated with clinical trials, failure
to secure additional financing, the inability to complete
regulatory filings with the Food and Drug Administration,
general economic factors, including interest rate and currency
exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry
regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global
trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances,
new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges
inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory
approval; AtheroNova's ability to accurately predict future market
conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial
instability of international economies and sovereign risk;
dependence on the effectiveness of AtheroNova's patents and other
protections for innovative products; and the exposure to
litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory
actions.
AtheroNova undertakes no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause
results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements can be found in AtheroNova's 2012 Annual
Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's
Internet site (www.sec.gov).
SOURCE AtheroNova Inc.