StemFlo® improves vascular functions and hemodynamics

 

Introduction

 

The microvasculature (microscopic blood vessels) consists of small arterioles carrying the blood away from the heart to the tissues and venules carrying the blood away from the tissues back to the heart. Between arterioles and venules are the capillaries where O2 and CO2 exchange take place, as well as nutrient delivery. 

 

A portion of the capillary, referred to as the post-capillary venule, is a highly significant site for cellular migration from blood into tissue. It is at the level of the post-capillary venule that stem cells can migrate out of the blood into tissues. Therefore, it has been suggested that blocking of capillaries, which hinders blood flow to the post-capillary venules, may reduce migration of stem 

cells into tissue. If this hypothesis is correct, then it follows that the removal of obstructions in the microvascular system, particularly the capillaries, may facilitate stem cell migration into tissues. 

 

Certain nutritional and nutraceutical interventions were shown to support improvement of peripheral vascular function. For example, a fibrinolytic enzyme blend, was shown to increase plasma fibrinolytic activity of the blood and to promote lysis of blood clot after induced thrombosis. 

Consumption of fibrinolytic enzymes, prior to long-haul flights (7-8 hours) was shown to prevent venous thrombosis in humans, as well as edema. 

Antioxidant nutrition can also improve micro-circulation. Transformation of fibrinogen into fibrin mesh can be triggered through the so-called Bradford-Allen Coagulation Pathway. This pathway involves activation of sialidase enzyme by reactive oxygen species. Once activated, sialidase would 

cleave sialic caps on fibrinogen disulfide bridges, triggering the agglomeration of fibrin monomers into fibrin mesh. Antioxidant supplementation has also been shown to indirectly favor vascular improvement due to a reduction of inflammatory conditions.

 

Therefore optimal blood circulation in the microvasculature, which is essential for optimal migration of stem cells into tissues, can be achieved by: 

 

•     Digesting fibrin mesh in the blood by consumption of fibrinolytic enzymes and;

 

•     Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation by antioxidant nutrition, which prevents the formation of fibrin mesh. StemFlo®, a proprietary blend of enzymes and antioxidant nutrition including Curcumin and other botanical extracts, was investigated to see if consumption of this product could lead to any measurable improvements in vascular function and hemodynamics. 

Methods & Results.

 

In brief, the study was comprised of two independent phases using a total of 19 volunteers. The first phase was a short-term study that investigated the fibrinolytic capacity of blood samples obtained immediately before and within 2 hours after consumption.