Written by Laura Clift.

Masquelier J, Michaud J, Laparra J, Dumon MC. Flavanoids et pycnogenols. Int
J Vit Nutr Res 1979;49(3):307-11.

   Article in French. Abstract states that the article describes pycnogenol
   chemically designating the compound as "pycnogenol" to distinguish it from
   the hundreds of other bioflavanoinds.

Uchida S, Edamastu R, Hiramatsu M, et al. Condensed tannins scavenge active
oxygen free radicals. Med Sci Res 1987;15:831-2.

   Pycnogenol is a free radical scavenger (anti-oxidant) in vitro (outside of
   a living animal, or, in a petri plate).

Lagrue G, Oliver-Martin F, Grillot A. Etude des effects des oliomeres du
procyanidol sur la resistance capillaire dans l'hypertension arterielle et
certains nephropathies. La semaine des Hopitaux de Paris 1981; 57:1399-1401.

   French article. Abstract states capillary resistance increased in 25
   patients. No dose amount or route of administration in the abstract.

Cahn J, Borzeix MG. Etude de l'administration des oligomeres du
procyanidoliques chez le rat: Effets observes sur les alterations de la
permeabilite de la barrier hematoencephalique. La semaine des Hopitaux de
Paris 1983;59:2031-4.

   French article. Abstract states that pycnogenol crosses the blood-brain
   barrier in the rat and affects capillary permeability. Route and dose not
   presented in abstract.

Tixier JM, Godeau G, Rober AM, Hornebeck W. Evidence by in vivo and in vitro
studies that binding of pycnogenols to elastin affects its rate of
degradation by elastases. Biochem Pharmacol 1984;33(24):3933-9.

   Study with (+) catechin and pycnogenol (states they are related substances,
   but act differently, including the results of this study). Pycnogenol
   prevents the break down of elastin in vitro and in rabbits.

Kuttan R, Donnelly PV, DiFerrainte N. Collagen treated with (+)-catechin
becomes resistant to the action of mammalian aollagenase. Experentia
1981;37:221-3.

   (+) catechin is not pycnogenol (see above). Study does not investigate
   pycnogenol.

Reimann HJ, Lorenz W, Fischer M, et al. Histamine and acute hemorrhagic
lesions in rat gastric mucosa: prevention of stress ulcer formation by
(+)-catechin, an inhibitor of specific histidine decarboxylase in vitro.
Agents and Actions 1977;71:69-72.

   (+) catechin is not pycnogenol (see above). Study does not investigate
   pycnogenol.

Markle RA, Hollis TM. Rabbit aortic endothelial and medical histamine
synthesis following short-term cholesterol feeding. Exp Mol Pathol
1975;23:117-23.

Markle RA, Hollis TM. Variations in rabbit aortic endothelial and medical
histamine synthesis in pre- and early experimental atherosclerosis. Proc Soc
Exp Biol Med 1977;155:365-8.

Hollis TM, Furniss JV. Relationship between aortic histamine formation and
aortic albumin permeability in atherogenesis. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med
1980;165:271-4.

   Does not study pycnogenol or any bioflavanoid. Logic may go like this:
   pycnogenol is similar to (+) catechin which can effect histamines. Here are
   some cardiac/circulatory problems that are affected by histamine.
   Therefore, pycnogenol will prevent these diseases. Logic may be OK for a
   hypothesis but is flawed as a conclusion, especially since (+) catechin and
   pycnogenol act differently in most studies (see above).

Feine-Haake G. A new therapy for venous diseases with
3,3,4,4,5,7-hexa-dihydro-flauan. Z Allgemeinmed 1975;51(18):839.

   German article, no abstract translation; chemical name implies (+)-catechin
   was studied.

Blazso G, Gabor M. Oedema-inhibiting effect of procyanidin. Acta Physiol Acad
Sci Hung 1980;56(2):235-40.

   Chemically induced edema of a rat's paw was decreased with intraperitoneal
   injections of pycnogenol.