Methylsulfonylmethane for treatment of low back pain: A safety analysis of a randomized, controlled trial

Investigation of Drug-Interaction Potential for Arthritis Dietary Supplements: Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine, and Methylsulfonylmethane

Osteoarthritis is one of the leading conditions that promote the consumption of these dietary supplements. Chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, and methylsulfonylmethane are among the prominent alternative treatments for osteoarthritis. In this study, these dietary supplements were incubated with cytochrome P450 isozyme-specific substrates in human liver microsomes, and the formation of marker metabolites was measured to investigate their inhibitory potential on cytochrome P450 enzyme activities. The results revealed no significant inhibitory effects on seven CYPs, consistent with established related research data. Therefore, these substances are anticipated to have a low potential for cytochrome P450-mediated drug interactions with osteoarthritis medications that are likely to be co-administered. However, given the previous reports of interaction cases involving glucosamine, caution is advised regarding dietary supplement-drug interactions.

Methylsulfonylmethane ameliorates metabolic-associated fatty liver disease by restoring autophagy flux via AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 signaling pathway

Introduction: Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a global health concern because of its association with obesity, insulin resistance, and other metabolic abnormalities. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an organic sulfur compound found in various plants and animals, exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we aimed to assess the anti-obesity activity and autophagy-related mechanisms of Methylsulfonylmethane. Method: Human hepatoma (HepG2) cells treated with palmitic acid (PA) were used to examine the effects of MSM on autophagic clearance. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect of MSM, male C57/BL6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% calories) and administered an oral dose of MSM (200 or 400 mg/kg/day). Moreover, we investigated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)/UNC-51-like autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1) signaling pathway to further determine the underlying action mechanism of MSM. Results: Methylsulfonylmethane treatment significantly mitigated PA-induced protein aggregation in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Additionally, Methylsulfonylmethane treatment reversed the PA-induced impairment of autophagic flux. Methylsulfonylmethane also enhanced the insulin sensitivity and significantly suppressed the HFD-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis in mice. Western blotting revealed that Methylsulfonylmethane improved ubiquitinated protein clearance in HFD-induced fatty liver. Remarkably, Methylsulfonylmethane promoted the activation of AMPK and ULK1 and inhibited mTOR activity. Conclusion: Our study suggests that MSM ameliorates hepatic steatosis by enhancing the autophagic flux via an AMPK/mTOR/ULK1-dependent signaling pathway. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of MSM for obesity-related MAFLD treatment.

EVALUATION OF THE EFFECT OF TOPICALLY APPLIED METHYLSULFONYLMETHANE AND THEIR COMBINATION WITH MINOXIDIL SOLUTION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF HAIR GROWTH IN MALE MICE

OBJECTIVE

The aim: The purpose of this research was to find out the effect of Methylsulfonylmethane in minimizing hair loss.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: Twenty adult Wister Albino mice weighing 25-35g and aged 6-7 weeks were employed. Male mice's coat hairs on the dorsal skin were carefully clipped and then colored. Mice were randomly assigned into four groups, each with five animals: (1) Control group: Treated with D.W. (2), Minoxidil (5%) treated group (3), Methylsulfonylmethane (10%) treated group (4), Methylsulfonylmethane plus Minoxidil treated group.

RESULTS

Results: We found that the tissue level of 8-isoprastanein the groups receiving medication are considerably lower than in the control (D.W.). We also discovered that the serum tissue vascular endothelial growth factor levels in the groups receiving medication are considerably greater than those in the control (D.W.) groups. On the other hand, we discovered that hair growth, hair follicle expansion and hair follicle number are much higher in the groups receiving medication than in the control groups.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: We concluded that MSM, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, dramatically reduces hair loss in male mice.

Methylsulfonylmethane protects against lethal dose MRSA-induced sepsis through promoting M2 macrophage polarization

BACKGROUND

Multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections, which have become a global threat, lack effective treatments. The discoveries of non-antibiotics with different modes of antibacterial action, such as methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), are a promising new treatment for multi-drug-resistant pathogens.

METHODS

We constructed a mouse peritonitis infection model to evaluate the effects of MSM against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. The time-kill kinetics of MSM against MRSA and the effect of MSM on the integrity of bacterial cell membrane were measured. Viability effects of MSM on THP1 cells were performed by CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay. Systematic inflammatory factor levels of mice were detected using ELISA. The immune response of peritoneal macrophages during MRSA-infection was evaluated using RNA sequencing. Gene Ontology function, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses, and correlation analyses were applied to analysis RNA sequencing data. RT-qPCR, western blotting and flow cytometry were performed to analysis the gene and protein expression levels of macrophages.

RESULTS

In in vitro experiments, MSM did not show significant killing effects on the growth of MRSA directly and did not destroy bacterial membrane integrity. MSM also displayed no significant effects on the proliferative capacity of THP1 cells. However, MSM treatment protected mice against a lethal dose MRSA-infection and decreased systemic inflammation. MSM upregulated metabolic pathway in peritoneal macrophages, especial glycolysis, during MRSA infection. MSM increased the expression of M2 markers (such as Arg1), promoted phosphorylation of STAT3 (which regulates M2 polarization), and decreased the expression of M1 markers in peritoneal macrophages. Additionally, MSM treatment increased the expression of H3K18 lactylation specific target genes, including Arg1. GNE-140, the LDHA-specific inhibitor of glycolysis, blocked the MSM-induced Arg1 expression in this disease model.

CONCLUSIONS

MSM protects against MRSA infection through immunomodulation. MSM promotes the expression of Arg1 by lactate-H3K18la pathway to control macrophage to M2 polarization; it firstly provides therapeutic potential for drug-resistant infections and sepsis.

MSM promotes human periodontal ligament stem cells differentiation to osteoblast and bone regeneration

Periodontal disease is the most common chronic disease of the oral and maxillofacial region, causing alveolar bone loss and ultimate loss of tooth. The purpose of treatment of periodontal disease is to promote the regeneration of periodontal tissue, including alveolar bone, and implantation of fixtures to replace the missing tooth as a result of advanced periodontal disease also requires alveolar bone regeneration. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur compound with well-known anti-inflammatory effects but its effects on bone regeneration are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of MSM on osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs (hPDLSCs) in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that MSM not only promotes the proliferation but also promotes osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs. MSM increased the expression levels of osteogenic specific markers that ALP, OPN, OCN, Runx2, and OSX. Smad2/3 signaling pathway was reinforced by MSM. Runx2, which downstream of Smad pathway, was expressed in accordance. Consistent with in vitro results, in vivo calvarial defect model and transplantation model revealed that MSM induces hPDLSCs to differentiate into osteoblast, which express ALP, OPN and OCN highly and enhance bone formation. These results suggest that MSM promotes osteogenic differentiation and bone formation of hPDLSCs, and Smad2/3 / Runx2 / OSX / OPN may play critical roles in the MSM-induced osteogenic differentiation. Thus, MSM combined with hPDLSCs may be a good candidate for future clinical applications in alveolar bone regeneration and can be used for graft material in reconstructive dentistry.