A Breakthrough in Veterinary Medicine

The purpose of orthobiologic medicines is to grow, repair or replace damaged cells within the body (Bogers, 2018). The means of α2M protease inhibition has been referred to as the “trapping” mechanism. A short, unique segment of amino acids near the middle of the polypeptide chain acts as a “bait” region, which is vulnerable to cleavage by most proteases. After a protease cleaves the bait region, conformational changes in the α2M molecule are triggered, springing the trap and entrapping the protease molecule (Barrett, 1973). Trapping the protease produces two important results: the protease is sterically hindered from accessing its substrate, and the receptor binding site on each α2M monomer is exposed, enabling the molecules containing protease to be bound and cleared via phagocytosis. Unbound α2M is not cleared from the site (Rehman, 2013).

The mechanism of action suggests that, in addition to inhibiting protease activity, α2M supplementation beyond endogenous levels may inhibit osteoarthritic cartilage degradation in vivo by decreasing cartilage catabolic and inflammatory factors (Wang, 2014). α2M may offer a useful therapeutic approach to the management of osteoarthritis by reducing gene expression of specific classes of proteases involved in cartilage matrix degradation and favoring its repair (Kobayashi, 2005).

If you are interested in learning more, or would like to find a veterinarian in your area who uses Alpha2EQ®, please contact us.