Oral intake of Streptococcus thermophilus improves knee osteoarthritis degeneration: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study

Abstract

This preliminary clinical study demonstrates the possibility of a new species of probiotic for improvement of the degeneration of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). TCI633 (Streptococcus thermophilus) is a newly founded bacterium from human breast milk, and it is able to produce hyaluronate (HA) in gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A recent study has proved that TCI633 can substantially alleviate synovial tissue inflammation and cartilage damage in the animal models, but so far it has never been applied in clinical intervention. In this study, we recruited 80 subjects and conducted 12 weeks clinical trial to validate the efficacy of TCI633 for improvement of the progression of KOA. TCI633 could improve serum collagen type II C-telopeptide (sCTX-II) and serum C-reactive protein (sCRP) by 41.58% and 39.58%, respectively, after the study. The improvement rates for sCTX-II and sCRP in TCI633 group were 54% and 57%, respectively, at 12 weeks. Compared to the results of placebo, the indistinct improvement progresses of sCTX-II and sCRP might be caused by the uneventful distribution of K/L populations between the TCI633 and placebo groups, a short term of study period, and few recruited subjects. Moreover, the results of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaires show that TCI633 might retard the progression and development of KOA after the trial. In brief, this preliminary research may provide an alternative approach to the improvement of KOA by probiotics although more detailed investigations should be conducted for solid conclusions.

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Ameliorates the Progression of Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting Joint Pain and Inflammation

“…The effects of S. thermophilus have been studied in experimental OA, and in actual patients. Oral intake of Streptococcus thermophiles improves knee osteoarthritis degeneration [ 11 ].…”

“…Although there have been fewer such studies related to OA in comparison to RA or IBD, the effect has been confirmed in several strains. Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, Lactobacillus acidophilus , and Streptococcus thermophilus were applied to experimental models of OA and clinically applied in patients and shown to be effective [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Oral Administration of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Ameliorates the Progression of Osteoarthritis by Inhibiting Joint Pain and Inflammation

“…Another study demonstrated the e cacy of applying L. acidophilus in MIA-induced OA [10]. The effects of S. thermophilus have been studied in experimental OA, and in actual patients [11]. Several recent reports have described the therapeutic effects of the administration of probiotics and prebiotics.…”

“…Although there have been fewer such studies related to OA in comparison to RA or IBD, the effect has been con rmed in several strains. Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus thermophilus were applied to experimental models of OA and clinically applied in patients and shown to be effective [8][9][10][11] Lactobacillus rhamnosus is known to produce butyrate, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA), through alteration of the gut microbiota. Therefore, L. rhamnosus may have an immunomodulatory effect and a protective effect on cartilage [12,13], suggesting that L. rhamnosus may be another probiotic strain with a therapeutic effect on OA.…”

Interactions of the microbiome with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches for the management of ageing-related musculoskeletal diseases

“… 169 In another recent investigation, supplementation with another probiotic strain ( Streptococcus thermophiles versus placebo) resulted in reductions in CRP and markers indicating degradation of type II collagen, but had no effect on WOMAC. 170 Additional research is needed to enhance our understanding of the effects of probiotics in patients with different types of arthritis, while considering potential confounding factors, including age, sex, diet, medications and individual microbial signatures.…”