7/21/99

Contacts:
Steve Ford, Animal Science, (515) 294-1436
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

PLANT SUBSTANCES THAT PLAGUE BEEF COWS MAY HELP HUMAN ILLS

INDIANAPOLIS -- Substances found in certain plants can cause big problems for beef cows who eat them. The same substances may offer big rewards to people, says an Iowa State University researcher.

"We've discovered plant chemicals that are unique in that they can reduce the diameter of blood vessels," said Steve Ford, professor of animal science.

"These may be the only known plant compounds that directly stimulate the biochemical pathways required to tone up blood vessels," said Ford. "Because they have this effect, they may have applications for treating people suffering from overly dilated blood vessels, such as in cases of shock, migraine headache and excessive uterine bleeding following childbirth."

Ford reported on his research at the annual meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, July 21-23, in Indianapolis.

Ford is a member of a team of scientists from ISU, University of Iowa and U.S. Department of Agriculture who have investigated a problem plaguing cattle ranchers in Western states. Pregnant beef cows foraging for food in winter will eat needles from Ponderosa pine trees. Soon after, they give birth prematurely and often the calves don't survive. Estimated losses to the cattle industry range from $4.5 million to $20 million each year.

The research team pinpointed a class of lipids, or fats, in the pine needles that caused highly dilated blood vessels to contract. During late gestation in cows, the result was the cutting off of blood to the uterus, causing the fetus to begin the birthing process prematurely.

Ford said information from the research could be used to develop pharmaceuticals or to improve the diets of people with ailments resulting from abnormal changes in blood pressure. "There may be plant foods with high amounts of these substances," he said. "Perhaps people could simply change their diet to help address a blood-pressure condition."

"What makes these compounds potentially interesting is that they appear to be specific to certain parts of the body, unlike some existing drugs used to control blood pressure," Ford said. "That may mean limited side effects."

Migraines are caused by swollen blood vessels impinging on neural tissue in the brain. Ford said treating migraines with these plant chemicals may help shrink blood vessels, easing the pain. A person suffering from shock has dilated blood vessels caused by loss of tone in the vessels' walls. During shock, blood pools in the body and doesn't efficiently return to the heart. A treatment of plant compounds might tone up the vessel walls, forcing blood back to the heart, Ford said.

Ford and his colleagues were awarded a patent for using the plant compounds in livestock and human applications.

While the plant compounds may open new doors for biomedical researchers, Ford and the rest of the research team continue to look for ways to shut the door on their effect on pregnant cows. Recently they compared digestive microbes found in cows and elk. Pregnant elk don't have a problem eating pine needles.

"So far our results indicate that these microbes may not be the area to focus on," Ford said. "It may be that the elk's liver is able to metabolize these chemicals so they are inactive."

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