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

S-adenosyl-L-methionine
[SAMe, S-adenosylmethionine]
Side effects, Health Benefits Research Finds updated on FEB, 2008

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.

All right reserved 2005

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