C60 Study: The Prolongation of the Lifespan of Rats by Repeated Oral Administration of [C60] aka Carbon 60 or Fullerene

Countless studies showed that [60] fullerene (C60) and derivatives could have many potential biomedical applications. However, while several independent research groups showed that C60 has no acute or sub-acute toxicity in various experimental models, more than 25 years after its discovery the in vivo fate and the chronic effects of this fullerene remain unknown. If the potential of C60 and derivatives in the biomedical field have to be fulfilled these issues must be addressed. Here we show that oral administration of C60 dissolved in olive oil (0.8 mg/ml) at reiterated doses (1.7 mg/kg of body weight) to rats not only does not entail chronic toxicity, but it almost doubles their lifespan. The effects of C60-olive oil solutions in an experimental model of CCl4 intoxication in rat strongly suggest that the effect on lifespan is mainly due to the attenuation of age-associated increases in oxidative stress. Pharmacokinetic studies show that dissolved C60 is absorbed by the gastro-intestinal tract and eliminated in a few hours. These results are of importance in the fields of medicine and toxicology and should open the way for the many possible -and waited for- biomedical applications of C60 including cancer therapy, neurodegenerative disorders, and ageing.

 

Background on C60: Since the early 1990s, studies have shown that C60 has the potential to make waves in a variety of industries, including biology and medicine. Its antioxidant properties are hailed as extraordinary, and some even claim the substance can prevent sunburn, osteoarthritis, and help hair growth.

What is an antioxidant?

An antioxidant is a substance that neutralizes free radicals, which stops cells from being damaged and preserves foods. 

WebMD defines them as substances that “protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Many experts believe this damage is a factor in the development of blood vessel disease (atherosclerosis), cancer, and other conditions.”

Your body is exposed to free radicals through various means, such as:

• Through by-products of normal processes that take place in your body (such as the burning of sugars for energy and the release of digestive enzymes to break down food). 
• When the body breaks down certain medicines.
• Through pollutants or toxins

How do antioxidants work?

You know that all matter in our universe is made up of atoms. And when connected together, they become molecules. The human body is made up of a bunch of these molecules, forming our DNA, proteins, fats, etc.

Humans maintain structure and function, or stay alive, through chemical reactions known as metabolism. These chemical reactions break molecules into smaller pieces, while smaller molecules are organized into larger ones.

It’s important for a molecule to be stable. In order for a molecule to be stable, it must have the correct number of electrons. If it doesn’t, it can turn into a free radical.

Free radicals are unstable, electrically charged molecules in the cells.

When reacting with other molecules, free radicals damage other molecules, like DNA or the cell membrane. This can be very dangerous and even lead to a chain reaction, like dominoes falling. Researchers claim these free radicals may contribute to the development of health conditions like cancer.

Thankfully, antioxidants can fight back against these free radicals by giving them the electrons they need to be properly balanced, effectively neutralizing the threat.

Examples of Antioxidants

Examples of antioxidants include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, flavonoids (found in plants), some minerals, etc. The best place to get antioxidants is from vegetables and fruits (like acai berry), but they can also be found in some tea and red wine. They are also offered as supplements!

C60 is simply another antioxidant, which may prevent medical conditions and improve management of illness. However, the research surrounding C60 has made it clear that it’s much more than a “superfood” like the acai berry – it can actually lengthen lifespans.

Researchers wanted to test the rumored antioxidant properties of C60, which prompted this 2012 study by Baati, Bourasset, Gharbi, Njim, Abderrabba, Kerkeni, Szwarc, and Moussa.

They utilized male Wistar rats as test subjects and did a variety of tests pertaining to each subject area, as follows.

Pharmokinetics:

Rats were acclimated for seven days prior to dosing, and each had their own individual cage. These cages were housed in an air-conditioned room. The rats were given access to sufficient food and water as well as placed on a 12-hour light/dark cycle for consistency.

These rats were then catheterized, recovered for a day, and then researchers flushed the blood catheter with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution in order to “avoid possible clot obstruction.” One night prior to treatment, the rats were fasted but given access to water. Then, researchers injected or fed a single dose of C60 (4 mg/kg of body weight) to the rats, in 2 groups of 3 rats each. Blood was drawn both prior to and after dosing, and urine samples were taken at 24 and 48 hours after dosing. Rats were then sacrificed for organ collection and analysis.

Biodistribution: In this section, 4 groups of three rats were treated every day for 1 week either by injection or orally. The dose of C60 was the same as in the pharmokinetics section (4 mg/kg body weight).

Again, researchers drew blood and urine, and sacrificed the animals for organ collection.

Chronic Toxicity and Effects of C60 on Survival of Rats: Researchers acclimated the rats for 2 weeks before proceeding with the study. Three groups of rats (6 in each group) were given C60 every day for 1 week, then weekly until the end of the second month. After that, they received C60 doses every 2 weeks until the end of the seventh month. The doses were either given by gavages (like a feeding tube) with 1 ml of water, or C60 dissolved in olive oil (0.8 mg/ml).

Chronic Toxicity: The development of adverse effects as the results of long-term exposure to a stressor substance.

Effects of C60 Olive Oil Solutions on Oxidative Stress: Researchers divided 60 rats into 10 groups. These rats were dosed daily for 1 week (orally or injected). Group A got 1 ml of water. Groups B and C were given 1 ml of olive oil for pre-treatment. Finally, Groups D and E were pre-treated with 1 ml of C60 Olive Oil.

Oxidative Stress: An imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to fight back, or detoxify, their harmful effects with antioxidants.

The researchers then studied the organs, urine samples, blood samples, and brain samples of the rats over time.

Conclusions of the C60 Study: Through this study, the researchers discovered the C60 has an extremely positive effect on the lifespan of rats. In fact, the discovery was pretty extraordinary:

“Our results show that while olive oil treatment can lead to an increase of 18% of lifespan of treated rats, C₆₀-olive oil can increase it up to 90%, as compared to controls. The effects of olive-oil on health and ageing are well known, and its effect as a function of dose has been thoroughly discussed. But what is noteworthy is that at M38 all C₆₀-treated rats were still alive. Thus, based on previous investigations, C₆₀ should be the most efficient ever material for extending lifespan.”

C60, as the researchers found out, is a very powerful antioxidant. It is very well armed to fight against the negative effects of free radicals. Even more interesting is the fact that during this study, the C60 dosing protected the liver.

“Pathological examinations show that even at very low doses, 500 times lower than that used previously, C₆₀-olive oil solutions effectively protects the livers against CCl4 toxicity. These results are in agreement with those reported for very low doses of water solution of hydrated C₆₀ fullerene in other experimental models.”

They were able to confirm, through this study, that C60 is a “powerful liver-protective agent” that operates under a “free radical scavenging mechanism.”

The researchers consider this study to “open the road towards the development of the considerable potential of C60 in the biomedical field, including cancer therapy, neurodegenerative disorders and ageing.”[1]

What Are Cytokines?

Cytokines are small, secreted proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells. Cytokine is a general name; other names include lymphokine (cytokines made by lymphocytes), monokine (cytokines made by monocytes), chemokine (cytokines with chemotactic activities), and interleukin (cytokines made by one leukocyte and acting on other leukocytes). Cytokines may act on the cells that secrete them (autocrine action), on nearby cells (paracrine action), or in some instances on distant cells (endocrine action). There are both pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

There is significant evidence showing that certain cytokines/chemokines are involved in not only the initiation but also the persistence of inflammation and pathologic pain by directly activating nociceptive sensory neurons. Certain pro-inflammatory cytokines are also involved in nerve injury/inflammation-induced central sensitization and are related to the development of contralateral hyperalgesia/allodynia.

A pro-inflammatory cytokine is a signaling molecule that is secreted from immune cells and certain other cell types that promotes inflammation. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are predominantly produced by T helper cells (Th) and macrophages and are involved in the upregulation of inflammatory reactions. There is abundant evidence that certain pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18 and TNF-α are involved in the process of pathological pain and paracrine dysregulation.

Many researchers believe that chronic inflammation is the cause of 80% of all chronic illnesses, especially autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s natural inflammatory process gets out of control. Inflammation is a natural response to acute illness and injury. However, when the inflammatory response fails to turn off, the body’s immune system starts attacking healthy cells. This results in chronic inflammation that results in injury to the body.

The reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines indicates a decrease in chronic inflammation and corresponding persistent pain and dysfunction. When the pro-inflammatory cytokines are kept in check, then the body is able to heal, and healthy cells are no longer under attack. The immune system is able to return to a healthy, balanced state resulting in better overall health.

We based the development of Carbon 60 Plus Extra Strength on the detoxification of the body, the reduction of inflammation and the associated pain. Our product exhibits antioxidant properties 270 times stronger than Vitamin C.  Empirical results indicate our product can eliminate scar tissue and rehabilitate injured tissues. The result is an increase in energy, alertness, and overall well-being.

 

We adhere to the strictest quality control standards that assure the purity of Carbon 60 Plus Extra Strength. Unlike most other C60 + Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) producers, we are not just buying and mixing “off the shelf” components. Our Carbon 60 is bonded to the olive oil, making it approximately 25% better absorbed into your cells, than all other Carbon 60 products that merely mix C60 with an oil. We carefully test our Carbon 60 assuring maximum purity and yield and then combine that with domestically sourced olive oil. This allows us to control all components of the supply chain as well as to perform periodic inspections at all stages of the process. Our Carbon 60 purity is measured using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and our extra virgin olive oil tested via spectrophotometric analysis.

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