Organogermanium: Potential beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

ABSTRACT: Organogermanium, especially poly-trans-[(2-carboxyethyl)germasesquioxane] (Ge-132), has been known to enhance immune-modulatory activities. However, the in vivo and in vitro evidence accumulated over the last 20 years reveals that Ge-132 has unique but underappreciated multi-functional properties that have a potential positive effect for the cardiovascular system. A hydrolysate of Ge-132, monomeric 3-(trihydroxygermyl)propanoic acid, forms a complex with a vicinal diol structure (i.e., having two adjacent hydroxyl groups such as the cis-diol and catechol groups) that exists in ribose (e.g., adenosine triphosphate), catecholamine (e.g., adrenaline), and saccharide (e.g., glucose). Additionally, Ge-132 enhances macrophage phagocytosis and the heme catabolic pathway by upregulating key enzyme

SUBMITTER: Aizawa K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11794241 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature