S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine; SAMe] Benefits

S-adenosyl-L-methionine
[SAMe, S-adenosylmethionine]
Side effects, Health Benefits Research Finds

S-adenosyl-L-methionine [SAMe, S-adenosylmethionine], not abundant in the diet, but is normally
produced in the liver from methionine. Foli acid and vitamin B12 are necessary for the synthesis of
S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine]. Deficiencies of these vitamins always lead to low
concentrations of S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] in the central nervous system
[1]. Low blood or central nervous system levels of S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine]
is also associated with cirrhosis of the liver, coronary heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and
depression [2-4].

S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] participates in over 40 essential biochemical
reactions including detoxifications and in the manufacture of brain chemicals, antioxidants, joint
tissue structures [5,6]. It is found that S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] may raise
levels of dopamine [7,8]. Consequently, it has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for
depression in some studies [9-15, 16, 17]. S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] is also
found to be anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and tissue-healing that may support the health of
joints [18-27, 28].

Researchers finds that S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] may be helpful in various
liver conditions such as cholestasis, Gilbert's syndrome, alcoholic liver injury, and cirrhosis [29-31].
S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] may also increase sperm activity in infertile men
[32].

Recent Research Studies

Anti-Cancer

Pascale RM et al, University of Sassari, Italy, observed a decrease in S-adenosyl-L-methionine
[SAMe, S-adenosylmethionine] content in the liver, associated with DNA hypomethylation in rat liver,
during the development of preneoplastic foci, and in neoplastic nodules and hepatocellular
carcinomas, induced in diethylnitrosamine-initiated rats by "resistant hepatocyte" (RH) protocol.
Reconstitution of the methyl donor level in the liver by S-adenosyl-L-methionine [SAMe,
S-adenosylmethionine] administration inhibits growth and induces phenotypic reversion and
apoptosis of preneoplastic cells. They proposed a few possible mechanisms for its chemopreventive
effect [Alcohol. 2002 Jul;27(3):193-8].

Simile MM et al, Universita di Sassari, Italy, stated that S-adenosyl-L-methionine
[S-adenosylmethionine] is a strong chemopreventive agent of rat liver carcinogenesis. They found
S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] causes a persistent decrease in growth capacity
of preneoplastic liver lesions in rats subjected to a diethylnitrosamine/TB protocol in their studies.
[Carcinogenesis. 1996 Jul;17(7):1533-7].

Alcoholic Liver Damage

Stickel F et al, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany, stated that
S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine], pentoxifylline, metadoxin,
polyenylphosphatidylcholine or inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 2E1 isoenzyme are promising to
treat alcoholic liver damage in their review article. [Z Gastroenterol. 2003 Apr;41(4):333-42].

Alzheimer's Disease

Cohen BM et al, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, did not found S-adenosyl-L-methionine
[S-adenosylmethionine], produced neither improvement nor worsening of symptoms in patients with
Alzheimer's disease (AD) [J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1988 Feb;8(1):43-7].

Though Eto K et al, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Japan, observed that
S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine], a CBS activator, is much reduced in AD brain
[Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 May 24;293(5):1485-8].

Depression

Pancheri P et suggested that S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] may be useful in
treatment of depression [Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2002 Dec;5(4):287-94].

Alpert JE et al, Harvard Medical School, concluded that augmentation of selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors or venlafaxine with S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] warrants a
placebo-controlled trial in resistant depression [J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2004 Dec;24(6):661-4].

Toxicity / SIDE EFFECT

Goren JL et al, McLean Hospital, Massachusetts, concluded that oral dosages of 1600 mg/day of
S-adenosyl-L-methionine [S-adenosylmethionine] appear to be significantly bioavailable and
nontoxic [Pharmacotherapy. 2004 Nov;24(11):1501-7].

S-adenosyl-L-methionine [ S-adenosylmethionine] may cause Parkinson's disease-like syndromes
[33].

This Article is for your reference only. If you have any questions, please, consult with your doctor.

References

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Does SAMe [S-adenosylmethionine] have health benefits on depression?