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'Broccoli drug' may treat osteoarthritis
broccoli
The beneficial effects of broccoli are due to sulforaphane, a compound released during digestion.

Positive results for new drug tested at the RVC

A chemical found in broccoli could offer a treatment for osteoarthritis, after a new drug has been successfully trialled for the first time at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC).

Eating cruciferous vegetables such as sprouts, cabbages and particularly broccoli has been found to ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis. However, patients would have to eat a substantial amount each day to see any real benefits.

The advantages of broccoli are due to sulforaphane, a compound released from the vegetable during digestion, which blocks certain enzymes that destroy joint cartilage. It also obstructs processes that cause the inflammation linked to osteoarthritis.

It had proved impossible to manufacture sulforaphane into a regular pill as it is an unstable molecule.

However, working alongside the RVC, UK pharmaceutical company Evgen Pharma has developed a stable, synthetic version of the compound and incorporated it into a new medicine called Sulforadex (SFX-01). Just a single dose of this medication provides as much sulforaphane as 2.5kg of broccoli.

Osteoarthritis affects nearly nine million people in the UK, costing the NHS over £5 billion a year. Other than pain relief and joint replacement, there is currently no effective treatment or cure. The RVC's professor of skeletal dynamics, Andrew Pitsillides said there is "massive" potential for SFX-01.

For the first time, the product has been trialled by the RVC using live laboratory mice prone to osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritic mice treated with SFX-01 were shown to have substantially improved movement, gait balance and bone architecture, compared with the control group that did not receive treatment.

“These initial results are very positive for such an experiment and we have convinced ourselves that sulforaphane is a promising agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis," said Prof Pitsillides.

“However, the clinical development of sulforaphane has been held back by the fact that it is inherently unstable. Thus, SFX-01 is a major advance in this area.”

Further pre-clinical and then human clinical trials are needed now that the product is seen as a viable treatment for the painful joint condition.

Human trials are already underway to further investigate the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties of sulforaphane.

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VMD responds to Solensia injection concerns

News Story 1
 The VMD has added anaphylaxis to the SPC of Solensia 7 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Cats.

It says that this is a rare side effect, with such adverse events affecting fewer than three animals for every 1000 doses of Solensia sold.

Solensia is used to alleviate osteoarthritis pain in cats. It contains the active ingredient frunevetmab.

Anaphylaxis joins effects such as alopecia, dermatitis, pruritus on the list of adverse effects.

The VMD says that is constantly reviewing adverse event data for all medicines. 

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Applications open for RCVS Fellowship

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has opened applications for veterinary surgeons to join the RCVS Fellowship.

The RCVS Fellowship is a learned society which works to advance veterinary standards and promote scientific excellence.

Veterinary surgeons can enter the RCVS Fellowship through three routes, each with different criteria. This enables people with a range of expertise and experience to join the society.

The routes are: Meritorious Contributions to Clinical Practice, Meritorious Contributions to Knowledge and Meritorious Contributions to the Profession.

Applicants must share a summary of their contributions to the profession, including examples of significant works produced throughout their career. The application will then be assessed by a panel of judges against a set of criteria.

Veterinary surgeons have until 4pm on Friday, 14 March to submit applications. More information, including requirements and guidance can be found here.