New scientific results of the Prof Rondanelli et al. have just been published in the Nutrients Journal about the effectiveness of the supplementation of the non-animal Chondroitin Sulfate (CS), branded Mythocondro, in the treatment of moderate knee Osteorthritis in overweight human subjects.
The pilot study performed the assessment of knee-pain, quality of life, related inflammation markers and body composition for 12 weeks, demonstrated the effectiveness in improving knee function, pain and inflammation markers of a dose of 600 mg/day of non-animal CS supplementation in overweight people with knee OA, a dose significantly lower than the one usually used with CS animal source.
The study applies the most commonly used outcome measures in hip and knee osteoarthritis such as the assessment of knee function by WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis) Index, the assessment of how much knee pain has affected the ability to manage in everyday life by the Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring (TLKS) and pain intensity measured both in motion and at rest, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
The experimental group showed a statistically significant increase of TLKS (+10.64 points; p < 0.01), while the WOMAC score decreased of -12.24 points p < 0.01). The VAS reported an improvement of the score related to pain decrease in the Mythocondro group for both left and right knees (p = 0.001). In both knees the VAS differences between groups are statistically significant over time (p < 0.05).
The results also showed a decrease in the C-reactive protein (CRP) level (- 0.14 mg/dL, p < 0.01) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level (-5.01 mm/h, p < 0.01). It is noteworthy that many of the beneficial effects were present even after four weeks of treatment.
The significant increase in the TLKS, representing an improvement in articular function.
The WOMAC pain scale consists of five questions that assess pain while walking on a flat surface, going up or down stairs, in bed at night, sitting or lying, and standing upright. The decrease in WOMAC score, representing a decrease in the level of pain.
The ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the CRP, C-reactive protein are index of inflammation. The reduction of CRP plasma level and ESR in the treated group over time as compared to the placebo group, indicates a clinically relevant activity.
About Mythocondro
Mythocondro has GRAS status in the US and achieved the Novel Food Approval in 2018. It is the first vegetarian chondroitin sulfate obtained through a innovative fermentation-based manufacturing process protected by relevant and consistent intellectual property, providing a reliable and reproducible source of product, as never before. Other approval submissions are ongoing in several countries in the world.
Unlike common animal-derived CS sold in the market, Mythocondro is not made from extracts of animal tissues and therefore, further to be suitable for vegetarians, vegans and people with dietary restrictions related to their religion. It also solves any concern related to the production origin, the possible presence of transmissible infective agents, contaminations and adulterations, typical of animal-derived raw materials. Commenting the findings Silvia Pisoni, Marketing Manager of Gnosis by Lesaffre said: “Mythocondro is the long-awaited chondroitin sulfate by the joint supplements industry. At the dose of 600 mg/day instead of the current suggested 1200 mg/day offers a once-a-day alternative to larger CS pills that need to be taken two times a day. Since the population ages across the world and more and more people need specific supplements to support the natural ageing process of their bones and joints, Mythocondro, working as chondroprotective bioactive (macro)molecule, can provide great results in the early stages of OA, in order to delay progress and/or to reduce symptoms.”
According to EULAR (the European League Against Rheumatism), OARSI (Osteoarthritis Research Society International) and World Health Organization (WHO), the musculoskeletal or rheumatic diseases are the major cause of morbidity throughout the world, having a substantial influence on health and quality of life, also causing an enormous burden of cost on health systems. 40% of people over the age of 70 years suffer from osteoarthritis OA of the knee, 80% of patients with OA have some degrees of limitation of movement, and 25% cannot perform their major activities of daily living.
Read the published results here.
