Physical Activity Prevents Cartilage Degradation: A Metabolomics Study Pinpoints the Involvement of Vitamin B6

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is predominantly characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage, the connective tissue produced by chondrocytes, due to an imbalance between anabolic and catabolic processes. In addition, physical activity (PA) is recognized as an important tool for counteracting OA. To evaluate PA effects on the chondrocyte lineage, we analyzed the expression of SOX9, COL2A1, and COMP in circulating progenitor cells following a half marathon (HM) performance. Therefore, we studied in-depth the involvement of metabolites affecting chondrocyte lineage, and we compared the metabolomic profile associated with PA by analyzing runners’ sera before and after HM performance. Interestingly, this study highlighted that metabolites involved in vitamin B6 salvage, such as pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and pyridoxamine 5′-phosphate, were highly modulated. To evaluate the effects of vitamin B6 in cartilage cells, we treated differentiated mesenchymal stem cells and the SW1353 chondrosarcoma cell line with vitamin B6 in the presence of IL1β, the inflammatory cytokine involved in OA. Our study describes, for the first time, the modulation of the vitamin B6 salvage pathway following PA and suggests a protective role of PA in OA through modulation of this pathway.

Comparison between Acupuncture and Nutraceutical Treatment with Migratens® in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Finally, although it is known that the absorption of B group vitamins like niacin and riboflavin is reduced by psychological factors, stress, and the use of sleeping-inducing drugs (which is common in FMS patients) [51], there are no studies in the literature about the efficacy of these supplementations in fibromyalgia patients. On the other hand, a recent study suggests the potential relationship between physical activity and vitamin B6 levels in the prevention of inflammatory articular processes [52]. Physical activity and vitamin B supplementation could be considered synergic approaches in the prevention of pain and potential inflammatory processes.…”

Molecular and Lifestyle Factors Modulating Obesity Disease

“…As vitamin B6 cannot be produced by mammals, it may be introduced in the intestine only through the diet or by symbiotic bacteria [86]. Therefore, we have suggested that increased levels of vitamin B6 might be due to the physical performance [85]. This finding is intriguing in consideration of vitamin B6 role in diabetes, a disease frequently associated to obesity.…”

“…In the gut several bacteria synthesize vitamins such as vitamin K, folic acid or thiamine [80]. Recently, we found that exercise increased the levels of two metabolites of vitamin B6 salvage pathway (pyridoxal 5 -phosphate, pyridoxamine 5 -phosphate) [85]. As vitamin B6 cannot be produced by mammals, it may be introduced in the intestine only through the diet or by symbiotic bacteria [86].…”

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“…Cell viability was evaluated by using the Cell proliferation kit II (XTT Chemicon) as previously described [ 26 ]. Six replicates in three independent experiments were tested.…”