Because nearly all human systems rely on Nitric Oxide for homeostasis
Qinino™
A patent-pending biodegradable Nitric Oxide prodrug. Making use of the beautiful symbiosis between human and bacteria.
Qinino™ enables controlled microbial bioactivation of nitrate into nitrite on the skin and mucous membranes.
Background
With more than 150.000 papers published on Nitric Oxide (NO), the scientific and medical literature tells us that loss of NO production and availability is the earliest event in the onset and progression of many diseases. Several studies have established that NO plays an important biological role, for example as a critical regulator of vascular homeostasis, neurotransmission, redox signalling, cell respiration, and host defence. This molecule is so important it was named “Molecule of the Year” by Science Magazine in 1992 and in 1998 a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to the three US Scientists responsible for its discovery.
Until recently it was thought that there was only one pathway for the production of NO in the body, the so-called enzymatic pathway. Three NOS (Nitric Oxide Synthase) enzymes produce NO from L-Arginine (an amino acid) and oxygen. But in the late nineties of the last century another pathway was discovered; the nitrate – nitrite – nitric oxide pathway.
This route was known to be responsible for NO production in plants and bacteria by converting inorganic nitrate into NO. With the help of bacteria in the mouth, gut, skin and mucous membranes, humans can produce NO from inorganic nitrate.
This pathway might serve as a backup system to ensure sufficient NO bioactivity also in situations when the enzymatic L-Arginine/NO pathway is dysfunctional.
The first step in this pathway, the reduction of nitrate to nitrite, can be taken by bacteria only.
How to fuel this route?
Through dietary nitrate (for example in the form of nitrate-rich vegetables such as leafy greens, beetroot, and spinach), nitrate reaches the bloodstream and part of it is excreted in the saliva. Oral bacteria take care of the conversion of salivary nitrate into nitrite in the mouth. The main challenge, however, is to bring nitrate to the right type of bacteria in and on other parts of the body. To achieve this, a suitable nitrate carrier is required; this is where Qinino™ comes in.
Company
NO-ceuticals B.V. is a Dutch start-up with its roots in medicine.
NO-ceuticals filed its first patent which is currently pending.
To scientifically proof the effects of Qinino™️, NO-ceuticals is currently testing one of the applications in a clinical setting.
Qinino™️ carries significant potential for various fields of applications. NO-ceuticals would like to open-innovate with partners that are active in those fields to further unleash it’s potential.
Homeostasis
Many scientists have written on the effects of NO in and on the human body, below an overview of some of those more recent findings.
Bodies change as we age. This is true for Nitric Oxide levels in the body, as well. Nitric Oxide is made by every cell in the body; however, production declined by 10-12% per decade starting in the early 20s. By age 40-50, we make only 50%. Our ability to produce and generate NO within the body is a key element of a healthy body.
As Nitric Oxide is involved in many processes in the skin (including cutaneous microcirculation, melanogenesis, barrier function, angiogenesis and cellular proliferation), it can have a substantial impact on diseases like Atopic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Acne vulgaris and Raynaud disease.
The nitrates in nitrate-rich vegetables are efficiently absorbed in the first part of the gastrointestinal tract. Only about 5% of the initially consumed dietary nitrate will be converted into biologically active nitrite, or, after further reduction, into (derivatives of) NO. Additionally, people who use antiseptic mouthwash can destroy all those good bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for reducing dietary nitrate into nitrite and NO and therefore reduce the NO availability even further. Increasing NO via nutrition can have a meaningful impact as can be read in the articles below.
Nitric Oxide can enhance tendon healing (tendinopathy), and it gives relief of swelling and pain. Glycerine trinitrate (GTN) ointment has been applied for many years, but the side effects of GTN are serious. Therefore a good alternative with fewer side effects would be a warm welcome.
Use-cases
info@noceuticals.com
+31 (0)20 2251550
