Effect of the Novel Low Molecular Weight Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract, BioCell Collagen, on Improving Osteoarthritis-Related Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the joints, which involves progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage.The etiology of OA is unknown. However, obesity, aging, trauma, repetitive strenuous joint activity, and genetics are risk factors associated with the development of the disease. The progression of OA results in disability due to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. The molecular pathogenesis of OA appears to involve complex interactions among multiple pathways leading to the loss of structural components, including collagen type II and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid (HA), and to inflammation and senescence of chondrocytes. Because there is no cure, treatment of OA aims to control progression of disease, to control pain, to improve or maintain range of movement, and ultimately to improve or maintainunction. Pharmaceutical regimens involve analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain. However, these interventions provide only partial symptomatic relief and are not believed to affect underlying disease progression. NSAID therapy is also associated with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications. Intraarticular injection of HA is practiced by clinicians, but considered costly, its clinical effects often being temporal and its benefits controversial.In an effort to discover active compounds that are safe, efficacious, and cost-effective in managing OA symptoms, some dietary supplements including glucosamine, chondroitin, vitamin D, and polyunsaturated fatty acids have been evaluated in clinical trials. Many of these trials have demonstrated that these supplements might help reduce joint pain and in some cases favorably affect structural changes.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the tolerability and efficacy of BioCell Collagen (BCC), a low molecular weight dietary supplement consisting of hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, in the treatment of OA symptoms. Patients (n = 80) in the study had physician-verified evidence of progressive OA in their hip and/or knee joint. Joint pain had been present for 3 months or longer at enrollment, and pain levels were 4 or higher at baseline as assessed by Physician Global Assessment scores. Subjects were divided into two groups and administered either 2 g of BCC or placebo for 70 days.Intent-to-treat analysis showed that the treatment group, as compared to placebo, had a significant reduction of VAS pain on day 70. The BCC group experienced a significant improvement in physical activities compared to the placebo group on days 35 (p = 0.007) and 70 (p < 0.001). BCC was well tolerated and found to be effective in managing OA-associated symptoms over the study period, thereby improving patient’s activities of daily living. BCC can be considered a potential complement to current OA therapies.

Effect of the Novel Low Molecular Weight Hydrolyzed Chicken Sternal Cartilage Extract, BioCell Collagen, on Improving Osteoarthritis-Related Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled 
Trial Alexander G. Schauss, Jerome Stenehjem, Joosang Park, John R. Endres, and Amy Clewell
AIBMR Life Sciences, Inc., 4117 South Meridian, Puyallup, Washington 98373, United States
Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care & Burns, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, 2999 Health Center Drive, San Diego, California 92123, United States


Find more information here.