Efficacy and tolerance of enzymatic hydrolysed collagen (EHC) vs. glucosamine sulphate (GS) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA)

Abstract

This was a 13-week, multicentre, randomised, parallel, double-blind study. One hundred men and women volunteers aged ≥ 40 years with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were randomised to once daily enzymatic hydrolysed collagen (EHC) 10 g or glucosamine sulphate (GS) 1.5 g for 90 consecutive days. Follow-up took place after two weeks and after one, two and three months. Primary [visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC Index)] and secondary outcomes variables, assessed at weeks two, four, eight and 12, were KOA pain intensity measured by quadruple visual analogue scales in the target knee, the WOMAC total score index, patient's and investigator's global assessments of disease activity, joint assessment, use of rescue medication (ibuprofen 400 mg tablets) and assessment of Quality of Life index (SF-36 Questionnaire). Safety and tolerability were also evaluated. Clear improvement was observed in both joint pain and symptoms in patients with KOA treated with EHC (Colatech®) and significant differences were observed. Mean reductions from baseline for EHC 10 g daily and GS 1.5 g, respectively, were KOA pain intensity reduction in the target knee for Colatech® (p < 0.05): WOMAC index decrease ≤ 15 points at the last visit (day 90) for Colatech® in 16 patients (34.04%) (p < 0.05) and for glucosamine in six patients (13.04%); total score index for painful joints: Colatech® 1.6 (p < 0.05) and glucosamine 1.8; total score index for swollen joints: Colatech® 0.5 (p < 0.05) and glucosamine 0.7; patient's global assessment of efficacy as the sum of improvement good + ideal: 80.8% for Colatech® and 46.6% for glucosamine (p < 0.05). EHC (Colatech®) showed superior improvement over GS in the SF-36 Questionnaire in the Physical Health Index (42.0 for Colatech and 40.0 for glucosamine). The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. Both EHC and GS were well tolerated.

What interventions can improve quality of life or psychosocial factors of individuals with knee osteoarthritis? A systematic review with meta-analysis of primary outcomes from randomised controlled trials

“…There was limited evidence that (1) moxibustion treatment compared with placebo (SMD=0.09, CI −0.24 to 0.43)52; (2) short-term monochromatic infrared energy compared with placebo (SMD=−0.09, CI −0.55 to 0.37)47; (3) methylsulfonylmethane supplementation compared with placebo (SMD=0.42, CI −0.14 to 0.98)44; (4) Tai Chi Qigong compared with no treatment (SMD=0.46, CI −0.17 to 1.09)49; and (5) enzymatic hydrolysed collagen compared with glucosamine sulfate (SMD=0.12, CI −0.28 to 0.53)55 were as effective in improving QoL of individuals with knee OA (figure 6). …”

Identification of a novel food-derived collagen peptide, hydroxyprolyl-glycine, in human peripheral blood by pre-column derivatisation with phenyl isothiocyanate

“…These studies were performed according to the Helsinki Declaration under the supervision of medical doctors and were approved by the experimental ethical committees of the Chisso Corporation (Tokyo, Japan). Any negative effects have not been reported by collagen hydrolysate ingestion at 5-10 g/day for 12 weeks in human studies Ohara et al, 2007;Trč & Bohmová, 2011) and the safety of high dose of collagen hydrolysate ingestion (1.66 g/kg body weight) was also confirmed by animal experiments (Wu et al, 2004). The volunteers were informed that the objectives of the present study and the potential risks of ingestion of collagen hydrolysate such as diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.…”

Efficacy of Oral Collagen in Joint Pain - Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…It was found that EHC, versus GS, lowered average pain level significantly at day 90 of testing, and furthermore there was a significant reduction in the WOMAC scores (P<0.05) between the two groups. Once again, EHC was generally well tolerated as well [20].…”

“…Nevertheless, it was concluded that PCH was well tolerated and safe to consume by patients [19]. Meanwhile, Kumar et al (2014) reported in their randomised double-blinded clinical trial of 5 g daily twice collagen peptide's effects on patients with knee OA a statistically significant reduction in WOMAC scores when compared to a placebo after 13 weeks [20].…”

“…In a preclinical study, rats with collageninduced arthritis (CIA) were found to show a decline in levels of proinflammatory IL-2 and IL-17, along with a concomitant rise in the proportion of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells following oral treatment with chicken type II collagen (10,20, and 40 μg per kg per day, for 7 days). Furthermore, significant reductions in paw swelling were also noted [10].…”