Denamarin for Dogs and Cats up to 12 lbs, 30 Tablets (Blue)

Dogs and Cat Liver Medication

Nutramax

TWO ACTIVES - ONE PATENTED FORMULA

Denamarin, a patented nutritional supplement for veterinary use Only, combines a pure and stabilized S-Adenosylmethionine with silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex. Denamarin is available in three convenient sizes: Denamarin for Cats and Small Dogs, which contains 90 mg of S-Adenosylmethionine and 9 mg of silybin A+B; Denamarin for Medium Dogs, which contains 225 mg of S-Adenosylmethionine with 24 mg of silybin A+B; and Denamarin for Large Dogs, which contains 425 mg of S-Adenosylmethionine and 35 mg of silybin A+B. As S-Adenosylmethionine is sensitive to moisture, the enteric-coated tablets are individually sealed in specialized moisture-resistant blister packs.

BACKGROUND

S-Adenosylmethionine is an endogenous molecule synthesized by cells throughout the body and is formed from the amino acid methionine and ATP. It is an essential part of three major biochemical pathways: transmethylation, transsulfuration and aminopropylation. As part of these pathways, S-Adenosylmethionine is essential to all cells and is particularly important in hepatocytes because of their central role in metabolism. A deficiency of S-Adenosylmethionine, therefore, may initiate or contribute to abnormalities of cellular structure and function in the liver as well as many other body tissues. Conversely, exogenous administration of S-Adenosylmethionine has been shown to result in improvements in hepatocellular function in both in vivo and in vitro studies, without cytotoxicity or significant side effects.^1-5 Precursors of S-Adenosylmethionine do not have similar effects. Administration of methionine to animals with decreased liver function may not increase hepatic S-Adenosylmethionine levels and may be toxic.⁶ The best way to increase S-Adenosylmethionine levels in the body is by direct supplementation with S-Adenosylmethionine.

Silybin is the most biologically active component of an extract from milk thistle known as silymarin,⁷ and its absorption is enhanced by phosphatidylcholine.^8-11 Silybin/silymarin has been shown to have beneficial effects on liver function.^12-14

PURPOSE

The combination of S-Adenosylmethionine and silybin in Denamarin provides a multi-faceted approach to liver support.

S-Adenosylmethionine has been shown to increase hepatic glutathione levels in cats and dogs.^1,15 Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that protects hepatic cells from toxins and death. A study found that low liver glutathione concentrations are common in dogs and cats with decreased hepatobiliary function.¹⁶ Denamarin is recommended to improve hepatic glutathione levels in patients to help maintain and protect liver function. Denamarin may also be used in other areas of tissue oxidant injury and RBC fragility caused by certain toxins or drugs which are related to reduced glutathione concentrations.⁶ Denamarin�s mechanism of action, however, goes beyond increasing glutathione levels, in that S-Adenosylmethionine has also been shown to protect liver cells from cell death² and may be useful in cell regeneration.⁶ A study has also shown that S-Adenosylmethionine may improve bile flow in cats.⁵

Silybin/silymarin has many different mechanisms of action. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that it protects against oxidative stress;^17,18 promotes hepatocyte protein synthesis,¹⁹ a mechanism for liver cell regeneration; inhibits leukotriene production,^20,21 which can be beneficial as production of leukotrienes is a component of the inflammatory response; stimulates biliary flow and production of hepatoprotective bile salts (e.g., beta-muricholate and ursodeoxycholate);²² and increases levels of glutathione.²³

In a study, silybin was shown to be protective in acute Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning in dogs, where one-third of the untreated dogs died, while all dogs in the silybin-group lived. Silybin-group dogs also had lower bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ALP levels and improved prothrombin times compared to control dogs.¹³ In another report, the liver enzymes improved in five out of six dogs with 30 days of silymarin administration.¹⁴

PHARMACOKINETICS

In a pharmacokinetic study with fasted dogs given S-Adenosylmethionine, peak plasma levels were recorded in most dogs within 4 hours of administration.¹ A pharmacokinetic study in fasted cats showed peak plasma levels at 2-4 hours post S-Adenosylmethionine administration.^15,24

Silybin has low bioavailability.⁸ Denamarin, therefore, has been specially formulated to address this issue. It contains silybin in a complex with soybean phosphatidylcholine, resulting in superior absorption and bioavailability compared to silymarin or silybin administration alone.^8-11 A study in dogs showed plasma silybin levels more than four times higher with administration of a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex (SPC) than the levels obtained with administration of silymarin alone (see figure 1 below).¹¹ Studies in rats showed that administration of the silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex was capable of reaching effective intracellular levels in liver microsomes not achieved with silybin administration alone.¹⁷

FIGURE 1

Plasma levels in dogs after oral administration of silymarin versus SPC (silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex). Each was given at the same amount based on silybin content (178 mg).¹¹

SAFETY

The ingredients in Denamarin^® possess exceptionally wide margins of safety. Oral acute toxicity studies in rats indicated an LD₅₀ greater than 4,640 mg/kg for S-Adenosylmethionine.⁶ Clinically healthy dogs administered 20 mg/kg/day of S-Adenosylmethionine for 6 weeks and clinically healthy cats administered S-Adenosylmethionine at 2 times the recommended daily amount for 113 days remained healthy with no adverse effects from the administration.^1,15

There are no known drug interactions or contraindications to the use of silybin/silymarin in animals.^25,26 While mild side effects, such as gastrointestinal upset, itching and headache, have been rarely reported in primates,^25,27,28 no side effects have been noted in dogs or cats.^{11,14,25,26,29,30} The specific silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex in Denamarin has been evaluated in both acute and chronic use safety studies: an acute toxicity study in dogs using levels greater than 80x the amount in Denamarin revealed no adverse physiologic effects,³⁰ and a chronic toxicity study in monkeys who received greater than 80x the amount in Denamarin for 26 weeks showed no compound-related adverse effects.²⁷

ADMINISTRATION AS A NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT

Please follow the administration charts below as a guide.

FELINE AND CANINE DENAMARIN DAILY* ADMINISTRATION GUIDE

For Cats and Small Dogs

For Medium Dogs

For Large Dogs

*The number of tablets can be gradually reduced or increased at any time depending on the pet�s needs. Many pets are maintained long-term on every-other-day or every-third-day administration.

For optimal absorption, the tablets should be given on an empty stomach, at least one hour before feeding, as the presence of food decreases the absorption of S-Adenosylmethionine. Denamarin can be used in conjunction with Marin^® to provide additional silybin levels and the benefits of vitamin E and zinc supplementation. If Marin is used in conjunction with Denamarin, the two products should be administered 12 hours apart for best response.

STORAGE

Store in a cool dry place not to exceed 86� F. Keep tablets in original blister pack until used.

Tablets are sensitive to moisture and extreme heat and should not be split or crumbled.

REFERENCES

1. Center SA, Warner K, Hoffman WE, et al. AJVR 2005;66:330-341.

2. Webster CRL, Boria P, Usechak P, et al. Vet Therapeutics 2002;3:474-484.

3. Wallace KP, Center SA, Hickford FH, et al. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2002;38:246-254.

4. Webb CB, Twedt DC, Fettman MJ, et al. J Fel Med & Surg 2003;5:69-75.

5. Center SA, Warner KL. In Proceedings. 22nd Annual ACVIM Forum 2004;867-868.

6. Center SA. In Proceedings. 18th Annual ACVIM Forum 2000;550-552.

7. Kvasnicka F, Biba B, Sevcik R, et al. J Chromatogr A 2003;990:239-245.

8. Morazzoni P, Magistretti MJ, Giachetti C, et al. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1992;17:39-44.

9. Schandalik R, Gatti G, Perucca E. Arzneimittelforschung 1992;42:964-968.

10. Barzaghi N, Crema F, Gatti G, et al. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1990;15:333-338.

11. Filburn CR, Kettenacker R, Griffin DW. J Vet Pharmacol Therap 2007;30:132-138

12. Center SA. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2004;34:67-172.

13. Vogel G, Tuchweber B, Trost W, et al. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1984;73:355-362.

14. Bontempo V, Bellucci D, Tonini B, et al. Obiettivi & Documenti Veterinari 2003;9:31-37.

15. Center SA, Randolph JF, Warner K, et al. J Vet Intern Med 2005;19:303-314.

16. Center SA, Warner KL, Erb HN. AJVR 2002;63:1187-1197.

17. Comoglio A, Leonarduzzi G, Carini R, et al. Free Radic Res Commun 1990;11:109-115.

18. Bosisio E, Benelli C, Pirola O. Pharmacol Res 1992;25:147-154.

19. Sonnenbichler J, Zetl I. Hoppe Seylers Z Physiol Chem 1984;365:555-566.

20. Dehmlow C, Erhard J, de Groot H. Hepatology 1996;23:749-754.

21. Dehmlow C, Murawski N, de Groot H. Life Sci 1996;58:1591-1600.

22. Crocenzi FA, Pellegrino JM, Sanchez Pozzi EJ, et al. Biochem Pharmacol 2000;59:1015-1022.

23. Valenzuela A, Aspillaga M, Vial S, et al. Planta Med 1989;55:420-422.

24. Center SA, Warner KL. World Veterinary Congress 2002.

25. Sartor LL, Trepanier LA. Compend Contin Educ Vet Pract 2003;25:432-447.

26. Minton J. Compend Contin Educ Vet Pract 2004;26:631-632.

27. Data on file. Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., Edgewood, MD 21040, USA 1991.

28. Flatland B. Compend Contin Educ Vet Pract 2003;25:514-524.

29. Filburn CR, Kettenacker R, Griffin DW. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med 2006;4(4):326-334

30. Data on file at Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., Edgewood, MD 21040, USA 1989

US Patent Nos: 6,863,906 and 6,555,141

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