From The November 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News

Evidence-based Products: Joint Health

DONA
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Rotta Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Rottapharma of Italy.

STUDY CLAIM: Long-term use of 1,500 mg/day DONA crystalline glucosamine sulfate may help treat osteoarthritis by narrowing joint space, reducing cartilage loss, improving joint function, and decreasing pain.

PUBLISHED: Reginster JY, et al. Long-term effects of glucosamine sulfate on osteoarthritis progression. The Lancet 2001 Jan 27;357 (9252):251-6.

ABSTRACT: Researchers assessed the effects of glucosamine sulfate on the long-term progression of osteoarthritis joint structure changes and symptoms. The randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial included 212 patients, 50 years and older, with diagnosed knee osteoarthritis. Patients took either 1,500 mg/day DONA or placebo for three years. Researchers took weight-bearing, anteroposterior radiographs of each knee in full extension at enrollment, after one year, and after three years. They assessed the mean joint-space width of the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint with digital imaging and visually measured minimum joint-space width at the narrowest point. They scored the symptoms using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index.

After three years, the 106 patients taking placebo had progressive joint-space narrowing, with a mean joint-space loss of 0.31 mm (range 0.48 to 0.13 mm). The 106 patients who took glucosamine showed insignificant joint space loss (mean loss of 0.06 mm; range 0.22 to +0.09 mm). Results for minimum joint-space narrowing were similar between the two groups (range 0.22 to 0.09 mm). Symptoms worsened slightly among patients on placebo compared with patients taking glucosamine, whose symptoms improved. There were no safety issues or significant differences in early withdrawal for either group.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS: DONA crystalline glucosamine sulfate, available in powder form, is a prescription drug in 60 countries. Long-term use of glucosamine sulfate could treat osteoarthritis because of its structure- and symptom-modifying effects.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
1340 Campus Parkway
Wall, NJ 07753
732-751-9021
www.originalglucosamine.com

UC-II
ABOUT THE COMPANY: InterHealth Nutraceuticals researches, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes proprietary nutritional ingredients, including a patented, undenatured type II collagen.

STUDY CLAIM: Rheumatoid arthritis markers were significantly reduced with an oral dose of undenatured type II collagen in a 24-week clinical trial of 274 patients.

PUBLISHED: Barnett M, et al. Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with oral type II collagen. Results of a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 1998;41(2):290-7.

ABSTRACT: Oral doses of undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) have ameliorated arthritis in animals with joint inflammation; results of preliminary studies indicate this novel therapy is clinically beneficial and safe for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Evidence exists showing that autoreactive, sensitized T cells help sustain RA inflammation. In this study, researchers looked for a protein at the inflammation site capable of inducing regulatory cells to secrete inflammatory-suppressive cytokines.

Researchers gave 274 patients with active RA either placebo or oral UC-II for 24 weeks. Scientists analyzed cumulative response rates using three sets of composite criteria: the Paulus Criteria, the American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA improvement, and 30 percent reduction in both swollen and tender joint counts.

After 24 weeks, researchers noted positive numeric trends in all three measurements, and a statistically significant improvement using the Paulus criteria. The presence of serum antibodies at baseline increased patients' likelihood of responding to treatment. There were no treatment-related adverse events. The efficacy was consistent with other findings in which low doses of orally administered autoantigens preferentially induce disease-suppressing regulatory cells, which decrease inflammation.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS: UC-II, derived from chicken sternum cartilage, is recommended for promoting healthy joints and improving joint mobility and flexibility for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
5451 Industrial Way
Benicia, CA 94510
800-783-4636; 707-751-2800 outside U.S.
www.InterHealthUSA.com

Lignisul™ MSM
ABOUT THE COMPANY: Founded in 1997, Carolwood Corp. supplies manufacturers with dietary supplements, including Lignisul MSM, as well as Alavis Entrox, a multiessential fatty acid in a patented new delivery system.

PUBLISHED: Lawrence RM, et al. Lignisul MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): a double-blind study of its use in degenerative arthritis. Intl J Anti-Aging Med 1998 Summer;
1(1):50.

ABSTRACT: Researchers conducted this preliminary study to evaluate the effects of Lignisul MSM on 16 patients, ages 55 to 78, with degenerative arthritis. MSM is an organic sulfur compound that is a metabolite of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Initially, 12 patients were admitted to the study group and two months later, an additional four patients were added. Eight patients were randomly selected to take 2,250 mg/day MSM and four patients took placebo. Two patients who took Lignisul had osteoarthritis in their hands, three had lumbar degenerative joint disease, two had degenerative arthritis in their knees, and one had arthritis in a shoulder. In the placebo group, two patients had degenerative arthritis in their knees, two had lumbar degenerative joint disease, one had degenerative arthritis in the hips, and one had degenerative arthritis in the neck. Later, the additional four patients were divided into two groups; two took MSM and two took placebo.

After four weeks, the patients taking Lignisul experienced a 60 percent pain reduction compared with 18 percent among those taking placebo. Within six weeks, researchers found that patients taking Lignisul had reduced their pain by more than 82 percent. In the placebo group, only two patients (less than 20 percent) showed minimal pain reduction. Scientists concluded that more MSM research is warranted.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS: Lignisul MSM, available in capsules, powder, tablets, and topical preparations, is intended for use as a pain reliever for arthritis, athletic injuries, back pain, headaches, and muscle pain. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it useful for patients with allergies. It is also designed for use in large and companion animals.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
660 Keystone Rd.
Greenville, PA 16125
888-646-0350
www.msm.com