"Mentoring and Support for Internationalisation" programme
Probelte Pharma S.L.U. is a beneficiary of the "Mentoring and Support for Internationalisation" programme by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, funded by the European Union through the NextGenerationEU funds under the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (RTRP).
Probelte Pharma awarded the Plimsoll Certificate of Business Excellence 2023
Probelte Pharma SL, a manufacturer of allergen and bacterial immunotherapy products, has been awarded the Plimsoll Certificate of Business Excellence 2023. In the latest “Pharmaceutical manufacturing (Spain)” sector report, this certifies that the Murcia-based company has the 66th highest profit margin out of the 576 companies analysed in the sector.
The Plimsoll report provides expert sector-wide analyses of the financial situation and market conditions in Spain. With this certificate, we have cemented our position as one of the companies in the best financial health in the sector.
Congratulations to the whole Probelte Pharma team, because without you it would not have been possible!!!
Plimsoll Certificate of Business Excellence 2023
Evaluation of the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy with a polymerised allergen extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with hypersensitivity to mites
PROBELTE PHARMA has taken part in the project entitled “EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF SUBCUTANEOUS IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH A POLYMERISED ALLERGEN EXTRACT OF DERMATOPHAGOIDES PTERONYSSINUS INPATIENTS WITH HYPERSENSITIVITY TO MITES” funded by the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) and the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
Immunotherapy with specific allergen extracts, known as “allergy shots”, involves administering an “extract” of the allergen responsible for the disease, with the aim of inducing the tolerance required to suppress the allergic response. It is currently considered the only treatment capable of changing the natural course of the disease.
PROBELTE PHARMA has developed a safer allergen immunotherapy treatment based on a dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergen extract that has been modified through polymerisation with glutaraldehyde.
The MAIN objective of this research project was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a polymerised extract of D. pteronyssinus administered over 12 months to treat rhinoconjunctivitis (with or without asthma) caused by hypersensitivity to these mites in adult patients.
The project, file number IDI20190614C, was funded by the SPANISH PUBLIC ENTITY, THE CENTRE FOR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION (CDTI) through the “Individual R&D Projects” call for proposals within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The project started in March 2019 and ended in June 2023, with a budget of €1,239,315.00 and a grant for €278,845.88.
Murcia Chamber of Commerce XPANDE Programme
Probelte Pharma, S.L. has been a beneficiary of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), whose objective is to improve the competitiveness of SMEs. This allowed us to launch an Internationalisation Plan with the aim of improving our competitive positioning
A way of making Europe!
Keriba Duo: combating ageing from the inside out
There are different factors that can affect your health and also speed up the cell ageing process. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to take care of yourself both inside and out.
To take care of your overall health, there are a number of rules you can follow to help delay premature ageing:
- Follow a balanced diet rich in antioxidants (polyphenols, vitamins C, E, A, etc.), minerals (selenium, copper, zinc, etc.) and omega-3.
- Eat more fibre.
- Keep well hydrated.
- Do exercise regularly and lead an active life.
- Avoid consuming refined sugar and ultra-processed foods.
- Drink less alcohol and cut down on your smoking.
- Sleep for at least 7 hours a day.
- Use nutricosmetics.
Of all these rules, antioxidants can be your greatest tool, because as well as combating premature ageing, they help to keep cholesterol and sugar levels down.
Today we are going to focus on the antioxidant properties of hydroxytyrosol and punicalagins (antioxidants from olives and pomegranates, respectively) which are contained in Keriba Duo.
How does Keriba Duo combat ageing from the inside out?
Keriba Duo owes its remarkable ability to slow down ageing and curb age-related metabolic diseases to a combination of these two powerful antioxidants, hydroxytyrosol and punicalagins, which help to lessen the effects of ageing on the body.
Ageing brings with it cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic and tumour-causing diseases, in which oxidation plays a key role. It is important to focus on prevention to keep yourself in peak health, especially when there is an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants.
Hydroxytyrosol is a polyphenolic phytochemical found in olives which has natural antioxidant properties, with a free radical scavenging capacity of 40,000 μmolTE/g, making it one of nature's most potent antioxidants. It also lowers the risk of certain cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer.
Punicalagins are polyphenols that are found in pomegranates, with bio-healthy and antioxidant effects that range from reducing cardiovascular disease and preventing cancer to improving physical performance.
The combination of these two natural antioxidants provides numerous benefits to keep your body young on the inside and out:
- It helps to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and prevent hypertension, heart diseases that damage your health.
- Most of the sun's effects on the skin (wrinkles, sagging and blemishes) are caused by oxidative stress. In fact, the role of antioxidants is to protect cells from free radicals, so Keriba Duo will help you to prevent and reduce photoageing caused by sun damage.
- This is because it helps to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which tighten your skin, boost joint health, and improve the quality of your skin and hair.
Joint health and sport: using antioxidants to prevent joint damage.
Joint health and sport are closely linked, as intense and inappropriate physical exercise can damage your joints.
To stop this from happening it is important to follow certain basic rules when doing any exercise:
- Before starting any activity, you should talk to a professional who can advise you on the best way to train, so that it fully suits your needs and physical condition.
- Warm up properly, keep at it and remember to stretch.
- Choose suitable footwear that cushions the impact on the ground as much as possible. This will help you to avoid injuries and optimise your sporting performance.
- Look after your diet and eat the necessary amount of protein, as it is essential for maintaining and building muscle while also protecting and strengthening joints and bones.
- It may help to take a food supplement that provides you with antioxidants, collagen, chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, etc.
- Keep well hydrated.
Nutrients to support joint health
Ingesting certain nutrients, especially ones with antioxidant properties, helps to protect the body from oxidative damage and inflammatory processes that occur when you perform repetitive movements during exercise or in competition.
- Urolithin A is a natural compound produced by gut bacteria from complex polyphenols that are found in foods such as pomegranates, berries and nuts. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Collagen and hyaluronic acid reduce joint damage and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Vitamin A is involved in collagen production, lubricates joints and acts as a shock absorber.
- Vitamin C. Besides being a powerful antioxidant that protects against oxidative damage, it supports collagen synthesis and makes joints, tendons and ligaments firmer and more flexible.
- Vitamin D is involved in proteoglycan synthesis, which improves the formation of collagen fibres.
- Vitamin E improves the protection of the cartilage matrix by increasing chondrocyte growth.
- Calcium and phosphorus support the formation, development and maintenance of bones and joints.
- Magnesium is necessary for vitamin D synthesis, which is essential for proper bone mineralisation.
- Silicon. This is involved in elastin and collagen synthesis, which optimises calcium and magnesium fixation in the bones and stimulates bone formation and mineralisation.
- Sulphur is found in collagen, which forms tendons, cartilage and ligaments.
These vitamins and minerals with antioxidant properties can be found in various foods, such as:
- Pomegranates, berries, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, spinach, broccoli, etc.
- Seeds and nuts such as almonds, sesame, sunflower seeds and pine nuts.
- Pulses like soybeans, chickpeas and beans.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: tips on how to keep your prostate healthy
As they get older, 90% of men eventually develop symptoms related to abnormal prostate enlargement, which impedes and obstructs the outflow of urine and has a negative impact on their health and quality of life.
The prostate is a gland that lies between the urinary bladder and the pelvic floor and surrounds the beginning of the urethra. Its main function is the production and ejaculation of seminal fluid.
It enlarges with age, but when it grows too much, it can squeeze the urethra and cause problems with passing urine, leading to what are called "prostate problems", the most common of which are: inflammation (prostatitis), an enlarged prostate (BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia) and the appearance of tumours (prostate cancer).
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Today we are going to focus on this prostate problem, also known as enlarged prostate gland, as it is a common condition in men as they get older.
The symptoms may vary, depending on its severity, but the most common are:
- Frequent urge to urinate.
- Increased frequency of urination at night.
- Difficulty starting to urinate.
- Weak or slow urine stream.
- Dribbling after urinating.
- Inability to fully empty the bladder.
The severity of the symptoms does not directly relate to the size of the prostate, as some men with mild prostate enlargement may have severe symptoms, while other men with greater enlargement may have only mild symptoms, and sometimes symptoms may even settle down over time and improve.
Risk factors
The risk factors for prostate gland enlargement are as follows:
- Ageing. This problem is most commonly found in men between the ages of 60 and 80.
- Family history.
- Diabetes and heart disease. Studies show that these conditions, coupled with the use of beta-blockers, may increase the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
- Lifestyle. Obesity increases the risk of developing this problem, which can be reduced with physical exercise.
How to look after prostate health
To prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia and stay in good health, it is best to adopt the following habits:
- Stay at a healthy weight.
- Eat anti-inflammatory foods that are rich in antioxidants like pomegranates and omega-3 fatty acids like oily fish and nuts, and eat a varied and balanced diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid taking too many traditional medicines as they can be harmful to the prostate.
- Have an active sex life.
- Get your prostate checked regularly (every one or two years). If you have a family history, urinary symptoms or are over 50 years old.
Men’s health in the summer
In this article we focus on looking after men's health in the summer. This time of the year brings changes to our daily habits; more hours of daylight and warmer temperatures mean that we have a more socially active life, and our diet, sexual and physical activity and sleeping habits are different. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on your health and enjoy this time of year without suffering any adverse consequences.
There are certain aspects of health that men need to take care of:
- Maintaining a healthy urinary system. It is important to avoid dehydration in the summer. Drink plenty of water, more than 2 litres a day. Follow a diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables that will provide fluids and minerals, preventing the appearance of kidney stones and cystitis, which are more common at this time of year.
- Prostate health: the higher temperatures improve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In the summer, patients with prostate problems may think that their condition has improved because they have to go to the toilet less, but this is only due to the rise in temperatures, so they should not stop taking their medication and should continue to follow the same healthy lifestyle habits.
- Looking after your sexual health. It is essential to look after this all year round, but especially at this time of year. Taking care of your sexual health will prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and improve your fertility, so it is important to avoid high temperatures in your testicles, which can damage sperm.
Your sexual appetite increases in the summer due to a number of factors:
- UVB radiation increases vitamin D levels in the body and this in turn increases testosterone levels¹, which is one of the reasons why libido increases in the summer, and there is a positive association with improved semen quality, and therefore fertility. [2,3,4]
- Lowering stress levels. Being on holiday relaxes the body, the higher temperatures lead to the release of endorphins, all of which helps to increase your sexual appetite.
Tips on how to improve men’s health in the summer
- Change wet swimming trunks and sweaty underwear to avoid infections.
- Use protection and maintain good hygiene before and after sex to avoid STDs, including both venereal and contact diseases.
- Stay hydrated, drinking regularly throughout the day to avoid problems with cystitis, kidney stones and prostate stones.
- Drink alcohol sparingly and in moderation. Alcohol consumption tends to increase in the summer, which can have undesirable effects, such as increasing the risk of erectile dysfunction; this effect is worsened by regular or high quantities of alcohol. [5,6]
- Follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which contain powerful phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may have health benefits and help to prevent male diseases [7]. Food supplements can also be added to your diet, for example:
-
- Pomegranate extracts have been the subject of research over the last decade and studies have shown that they have anti-proliferative properties and inflammation-modulating effects. If taken in the long term, they prevent fibrosis in the erectile tissue, which is a cause of erectile dysfunction [7]. One supplement available on the market that consists entirely of pomegranate extract is Keriba Forte, which contains 220 mg of punicalagins.
-
- Pollen. Pollen has been found to be rich in vitamins, minerals and phytosterols, which help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain [8].
-
- Lycopene and selenium. Lycopene is found in summer foods, especially tomatoes and watermelons, and selenium is found in fish and eggs, among other things. They both have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [8].
References:
[1] Pilz S, Frisch S, Koertke H, Kuhn J, Dreier J, Obermayer-Pietsch B, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on testosterone levels in men. Horm Metab Res [Internet]. 2011 [cited 25 Jul 2022];43(3):223–5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21154195/
[2] Homayouni-Meymandi M, Sotoodehnejadnematalahi F, Nasr-Esfahani MH. Relationship between Serum Vitamin D in Male, Sperm Function and Clinical Outcomes in Infertile Men Candidate for ICSI: A Cohort Study. Int J Fertil Steril [Internet]. 1 Apr 2022 [cited 25 Jul 2022];16(2):115–21. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35639649/
[3] Boisen IM, Bøllehuus Hansen L, Mortensen LJ, Lanske B, Juul A, Blomberg Jensen M. Possible influence of vitamin D on male reproduction. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol [Internet]. 1 Oct 2017 [cited 25 Jul 2022];173:215–22. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27693423/
[4] de Angelis C, Galdiero M, Pivonello C, Garifalos F, Menafra D, Cariati F, et al. The role of vitamin D in male fertility: A focus on the testis. Rev Endocr Metab Disord [Internet]. 1 Sep 2017 [cited 25 Jul 2022];18(3):285–305. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28667465/
[5] Li S, Song JM, Zhang K, Zhang C le. A Meta-Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction and Alcohol Consumption. Urol Int [Internet]. 1 Oct 2021 [cited 23 Aug 2022];105(11–12):969–85. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34521090/
[6] Wang XM, Bai YJ, Yang YB, Li JH, Tang Y, Han P. Alcohol intake and risk of erectile dysfunction: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Impot Res [Internet]. 1 Nov 2018 [cited 23 Aug 2022];30(6):342–51. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30232467/
[7] Kroeger N, Belldegrun AS, Pantuck AJ. Pomegranate Extracts in the Management of Men’s Urologic Health: Scientific Rationale and Preclinical and Clinical Data. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM [Internet]. 2013 [cited 23 Aug 2022];2013. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23589721/
[8] Cicero AFG, Allkanjari O, Vitalone A, Busetto GM, Cai T, Larganà G, et al. Nutraceutical treatment and prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia [Internet]. 2 Oct 2019 [cited 23 Aug 2022];91(3):139–52. Available from: https://pagepressjournals.org/index.php/aiua/article/view/8597
Reduce sagging facial skin naturally
Along with blemishes and wrinkles, sagging is one of the most troublesome signs of skin ageing. As a general rule, collagen production starts to decline from the age of 25 onwards. When we reach 40, we begin to notice this loss and around the age of 50, the effects on the skin become more pronounced, with a loss of facial contours and firmness, and wrinkles becoming deeper. To stop this from happening, we tell you how to prevent sagging facial skin naturally.
The first thing you should know is that sagging is caused by a loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin due to a decrease in the body’s collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and muscle fibres, which leads to weakness in the tissues that support the dermis, resulting in a visible loss of facial volume, with skin that is less firm and looks duller and more lacklustre.
Tips on how to reduce sagging facial skin
To combat sagging facial skin naturally and make your skin firmer and smoother, we recommend taking care of your skin on the inside and out by following these steps:
- Protect your skin from the sun. The sun's rays cause skin damage as a result of oxidative stress, which accelerates the skin's ageing process.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet. It is important to include foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in your diet, which provide you with vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, flavonoids, etc., all of which have powerful antioxidant properties that combat premature ageing of the skin. You can boost your diet with food supplements like Keriba Duo, which contains punicalagins and hydroxytyrosol, powerful natural antioxidants.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. These substances accelerate ageing and slow down the skin cell regeneration process.
- Do exercise, as this generates endorphins and serotonin, the happiness hormones that help to boost your mood and sleep, which is also essential to prevent skin ageing.
- Be positive, because your mood has a direct impact on the appearance of your skin. Avoid stress as it has a negative effect on the appearance of your skin, and try to stay relaxed and happy to delay ageing and the appearance of sagging skin.
- Performing facial massages will help to keep your facial muscles firm. We recommend hot and cold massages: massage your face with small strokes of your fingertips, using contrasting temperatures to speed up the cell regeneration process.
- Perform a thorough daily facial cleanse before going to bed and include antioxidant creams and serums in your beauty routine (this will target the causes of sagging, such as photoageing). Remember to apply them with a gentle massage to help the product penetrate deeper and also activate the dermis.
The sun’s harmful effects on the skin: antioxidants are your greatest weapon
We always hear how the sun has numerous benefits and is essential for life on Earth. However, the position of the sun changes from one season to another, and the sun's radiation is more intense in the summer, so its harmful effects on your skin are also increased. This is because the Earth is closer to the sun and the rays strike the northern hemisphere more perpendicularly, so in the summer there are more hours of daylight and greater exposure to the sun.
Your skin is the organ that is most exposed to the environment and therefore to its effects, which include the effects of the sun.
Fortunately, short-wavelength solar radiation, UVC rays, which are regarded as the most dangerous, do not pass through the atmosphere and are absorbed by the ozone layer, so they have no effect on your health.
UVB radiation is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, but some of it reaches the earth's surface. This allows your body to synthesise vitamin D, which is essential for proper metabolic function, not only in your bones but also in your immune system, and it also helps to prevent diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers. This radiation is less able to penetrate the skin, but it causes sunburn and indirect pigmentation of the skin by activating melanosomes to produce additional melanin, your skin's natural protector.
UVA rays are not absorbed by the atmosphere and have a greater capacity to penetrate the skin and reach the dermis. UVA radiation is responsible for immediate tanning. It is capable of oxidising the existing melanin as a natural protective measure, so sunspots are more visible after a small amount of exposure to the sun. It also causes the skin to thicken, leading to dryness and wrinkles.
UVB and UVA radiation cause oxidative stress in the body, both directly and indirectly. Sunburn is triggered by reactive oxygen species, which stimulate the inflammation process. Proteins, lipids and even DNA are also oxidised. Changes in skin pigmentation are promoted by reactive oxygen species that can destroy melanocytes and trigger vitiligo, but melanogenesis is also activated and skin pigmentation is increased. UV radiation causes immunosuppression of the skin, leading to skin infections and the formation of tumours. The sebaceous glands are also stimulated and acne may occur in some cases. Collagen and extracellular matrix degradation mechanisms are also activated as a side effect of the radiation, resulting in what is known as photoageing of the skin.
We must not forget that we also get infrared (IR) and visible radiation. Most of the IR radiation that reaches us is infrared A (IR-A). This radiation is capable of penetrating to the hypodermis, causing stress in the skin. It increases the effects of free radicals, causing collagen loss which leads to deep wrinkles in the skin, and it also strengthens the oxidative effects of UV rays.
Visible light, or what we call blue light, can cause skin damage due to oxidative stress, so one of its effects is to activate melanocytes to increase skin melanin, resulting in signs of skin ageing that are similar to those caused by UVA radiation. This radiation comes not only from the sun but also from the devices we use regularly, screens, fluorescent lights and any LED that emits white light.
Antioxidants: your greatest weapon to combat the sun’s negative effects on your skin in the summer
Most of the sun's effects on the skin are caused by oxidative stress, so it is best to prevent these effects through an antioxidant-rich diet and supplements.
To counteract the harmful effects of the sun on your skin, the summer provides us with fruits and vegetables that can help us to eliminate free radicals from the body. Oral supplementation with powerful antioxidants has been shown to promote immunoprotection, decrease skin erythema, and therefore help to slow down photoageing.
Antioxidants that you can get through your diet or by taking natural supplements:
- Punicalagins: which are found in pomegranates, will reduce the effects of radiation on your skin, preventing photoageing.
- Hydroxytyrosol: is found in olive oil and olive extract.
- Ferulic acid: contained in vegetables, pulses, cereals, fruits and the seeds of plants such as rice, pineapple, oats and wheat.
- Glutathione: found in spinach, watermelons, grapefruit, asparagus, avocados, strawberries, pumpkins, broccoli, cauliflower, walnuts, garlic and tomatoes.
- Vitamins C and E: contained in berries, citrus fruits, broccoli, avocados, olive oil, tomatoes, etc.
- Superoxide dismutase: found in barley, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and wheat.
- Coenzyme Q10: contained in meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, etc.
Remember to combine sunscreen with supplements or an antioxidant-rich diet to protect your skin from photoageing.
Bibliography:
Marianne Gosch C et al. The role of oxidative stress in skin ageing. Rev. Chilena Dermatolo. 2010; 26(4): 351-357
Nora Alejandra Zuluaga Espinosa et al. Vitamin D: new paradigms. Medicina & Laboratorio 2011, Vol 17, N 5-6.
Yuya Nakashima et al. Blue light-induced oxidative stress in live skin. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 jul; 108:300-310
Claire Regazzetii et al. Melanocytes sense blue light and regulate pigmentation through opsin-3. J Invest Dermatol. 2018 Jan;138(1):171-178