The relationship between urinary C-Telopeptide fragments of type II collagen, knee joint load, pain, and physical function in individuals with medial knee osteoarthritis

Markers of Tissue Deterioration and Pain on Earth and in Space

Purpose

Pain is an understudied physiological effect of spaceflight. Changes in inflammatory and tissue degradation markers are often associated with painful conditions. Our aim was to evaluate the changes in markers associated with tissue deterioration after a short-term spaceflight.

Patients and Methods

Plasma levels of markers for systemic inflammation and tissue degeneration markers were assessed in two astronauts before and within 24 h after the 17-day Axiom Space AX-1 mission.

Results

After the spaceflight, C-reactive protein (CRP) was reduced in both astronauts, while INFγ, GM-CSF, TNFα, BDNF, and all measured interleukins were consistently increased. Chemokines demonstrated variable changes, with consistent positive changes in CCL3, 4, 8, 22 and CXCL8, 9, 10, and consistent negative change in CCL8. Markers associated with tissue degradation and bone turnover demonstrated consistent increases in MMP1, MMP13, NTX and OPG, and consistent decreases in MMP3 and MMP9.

Conclusion

Spaceflight induced changes in the markers of systemic inflammation, tissue deterioration, and bone resorption in two astronauts after a short, 17-day, which were often consistent with those observed in painful conditions on Earth. However, some differences, such as a consistent decrease in CRP, were noted. All records for the effect of space travel on human health are critical for improving our understanding of the effect of this unique environment on humans.

[Complex effects of physical exertion with dietary supplements Cartilox in pain syndrome effectiveness and safety evaluation]

A promising direction of osteoarthritis (OA) therapy is currently being considered pharmaceutical compositions of Symptomatic Slow Acting Drugs for Osteoarthritis (SYSADOA), which include type II collagen. A clinical observational study was conducted.

OBJECTIVE

To Identify the effect of physical activity complex effects with dietary supplements Cartilox (composition: hydrolyzed type II collagen, hyaluronic acid, boswellia, curcumin, piperine) on the severity of pain syndrome in OA knee and hip joint patients, low back pain (LBP); assessment of the need for the appointment of NSAIDs against the background of taking Cartilox.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 60 patients aged 35-65 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of knee and hip OA I-II st., LBP with a slight degree of severity of pain syndrome - 4-5 points on a numerical rating scale (NRS). Patients with comorbid diseases: arterial hypertension (AH), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), hypothyroidism, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastrointestinal tract). By randomization, the patients were divided into two groups: Main group (n=30; 54.36±8.57 years) received a complex effect of non-drug therapy (physical therapy complex) with dietary supplements Cartilox 1 sachet per day during or immediately after meals for 1 month, in combination with non-medical therapy (physical therapy complex). And Control group (n=30; 53.03±16.18 years) used only non-medical therapy (physical therapy complex). In both groups, topical NSAIDs were used «on demand». The patients included in the study had imaging data of the spine and joints. Clinical and neurological examination was used: day 0 (Visit 1), Day 14 (Visit 2), Day 30 (Visit 3) of therapy. The dynamics of the condition was assessed: 10-point NRS of pain assessment (at rest, while walking, palpation), functional status of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), blood pressure (BP) was measured, the dynamics of biochemical parameters (before and after 30 days) of blood glucose, liver enzymes (AST, ALT), weight indicators, registration of adverse events (AEs). A sub-objective assessment (1 to 5 balls) was given to the patient and the physician.

RESULTS

Against the background of taking Cartilox, a statistically significant decrease in the severity of pain syndrome was noted, an improvement on ODI (to a greater extent in the Main group vs the Control group). In no case has a registered AEs. Changes in the level of biochemical blood parameters (glucose, liver enzymes) and blood pressure levels were not observed. The topical NSAIDs use was observed only in the Control group.

CONCLUSION

The complex effect of physical exertion with dietary supplements Cartilox can be recommended for patients with unexpressed pain syndrome (4-5 points on the NRS) with LBP and knee and hip OA (I-II st.). The absence of changes in the level of biochemical parameters of blood and blood pressure makes it possible to recommend Cartilox to patients with OA and comorbid diseases.