BioCell Collagen® Reduces OA Pain

WASHINGTONBioCell Collagen®, a low molecular weight dietary supplement consisting of hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, was effective in managing osteoarthritis (OA)-associated symptoms, improving patient's quality of life in a recent study conducted by AIBMR Life Sciences Inc. (J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Apr 16).

The randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial included 80 patients with physician-verified evidence of progressive OA in their hip and/or knee joint. The patients had suffered joint pain for at least three months before they started the study, and pain levels were four or higher at baseline as assessed by Physician Global Assessment scores.

Subjects were divided into two groups and administered either 2 g/d of BioCell Collagen or placebo for 70 days.

Analysis showed the treatment group, as compared to placebo, had a significant reduction of visual analogue scale (VAS) pain after 70 days (P<0.001), and of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores after 35 days (P=0.017) and after70 days (P<0.001). The BioCell Collagen group experienced a significant improvement in physical activities compared to the placebo group after 35 days (P=0.007) and after 70 days (P<0.001).

BioCell Collagen tolerated as well as the placebo. The researchers concluded, "BioCell Collagen can be considered a potential complement to current OA therapies."

Of the 100 types of arthritis, OA is the most common. It is caused by wear and tear" on a joint, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). After cartilage breaks down, bony spurs or extra bone may form around the joint, and the ligaments and muscles around the joint become weaker and stiffer. Often, the cause of OA is unknown, but it is related to aging. The symptoms of OA usually appear in middle age, and almost everyone has some symptoms by age 70. Before age 55, OA occurs equally in men and women. After age 55, it is more common in women.

 BioCell Collagen, formally known as BioCell Collagen II®, was originally marketed by BioCell Technologies as a joint health ingredient, but recent research on skin health has positioned the product as beneficial in cosmeceutical applications as well. This research shows it still has relevance to joint applications.