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Superoxide dismutase

Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that is found in all living cells. An enzyme is a substance that accelerates certain chemical reactions in the body. Superoxide dismutase, which is used as a medicine, is partly obtained from cows. Superoxide dismutase is taken orally to reduce wrinkles, rebuild tissue and prolong life. However, there is no evidence that superoxide dismutase products taken orally are absorbed by the body. As an injection, superoxide dismutase is used to treat pain and inflammatory swelling caused by osteoarthritis, sports injuries or rheumatoid arthritis, as well as gout, cancer, lung problems in newborns, a kidney disease called interstitial cystitis and poisoning with the weed killer paraquat. Superoxide dismutase is also administered as an injection to improve the tolerance of radiation therapy, to reduce rejection in kidney transplants and to minimize heart damage from heart attacks. A sterile solution containing superoxide dismutase is sometimes applied directly to the eyes to treat corneal ulcers.

How does Superoxide dismutase?

Superoxide dismutase is an enzyme that breaks down potentially harmful oxygen molecules in cells, which could prevent tissue damage. It is being investigated whether superoxide dismutase can help in the treatment of diseases where oxygen molecules are believed to play a role.

How effective is superoxide dismutase?

Superoxide dismutase given as an injection may be effective when used to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, lung problems in newborns and a kidney disease called interstitial cystitis. Superoxide dismutase given as an injection may be ineffective when used to reduce heart damage after a heart attack. There is insufficient scientific data to draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of superoxide dismutase for corneal ulcers. A number of case reports suggest that a specific superoxide dismutase solution may help to reduce the size of ulcers and accelerate healing when applied to the eye for at least 2 weeks. There is also insufficient scientific information on the effectiveness of superoxide dismutase for sports injuries, gout and cancer, as well as its use to improve the tolerance of radiotherapy and to prevent rejection after kidney transplants. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of superoxide dismutase in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Injectable forms of superoxide dismutase that have been used in research studies appear to be safe and harmless. Superoxide dismutase products are made from animal-derived raw materials, so there are concerns about contamination from diseased animals. Although there have been no reports of illness following the use of superoxide dismutase products from animal sources, it is best to avoid animal-derived products until more is known.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use ofsuperoxide** dismutaseduring pregnancy and lactation. Forthis reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid superoxide**-dismutase.

Interactions

At the present time there is no information on interactions of superoxide dismutase with medications or supplements.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

As an injection

  • Doctors administer superoxide dismutase as an injection for certain bladder infections (interstitial cystitis), osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and lung damage that sometimes develops in premature babies who have had to be ventilated with oxygen.

References

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  8. Lewis CJ. Letter to reiterate certain public health and safety concerns to firms manufacturing or importing dietary supplements that contain specific bovine tissues. FDA. Available at: www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/dspltr05.html.
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  14. Rosenfeld W, Evans H, Concepcion L, et al. Prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia by administration of bovine superoxide dismutase in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome. J Pediatr 1984;105:781-5. view abstract.
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  16. Shimmura S, Igarashi R, Taguchi H, et al. Lecithin-bound superoxide dismutase in the treatment of noninfectious corneal ulcers. Am J Ophthalmol 2003;135:613-9. view abstract.
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