Chondroitin Sulfate Inhibits Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Release From 3T3-L1 Adipocytes: A New Treatment Opportunity for Obesity-Related Inflammation?

Industrial application of fish cartilaginous tissues

Cartilage is primarily composed of proteoglycans and collagen. Bioactive compounds derived from animal cartilage, such as chondroitin sulfate and type II collagen, have multiple bioactivities and are incorporated in popular health products. The aging population and increases in degenerative and chronic diseases will stimulate the rapid growth of market demand for cartilage products. Commercial production of bioactive compounds primarily involves the cartilages of mammals and poultry. However, these traditional sources are associated zoonosis concerns; thus, cartilage products from the by-products of fish processing has gained increasing attention because of their high level of safety and other activities. In this review, we summarize the current state of research into fish-derived cartilage products and their application, and discuss future trends and tasks to encourage further expansion and exploitation. At present, shark cartilage is the primary source of marine cartilage. However, the number of shark catches is decreasing worldwide, owing to overfishing. This review considers the potential alternative fish cartilage sources for industrialization. Three keys, the sustainable production of fish, new fish-processing model, and market demand, have been discussed for the future realization of efficient fish cartilage use. The industrialization of fish-derived cartilage products is beneficial for achieving sustainable development of local economies and society.

•

Bioactive compounds derived from fish cartilage are popular as health products.

•

Type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate are the major cartilage bioactive compounds.

•

Cartilaginous fishes, sturgeons, and salmonids are potential fish cartilage sources.

•

Keys for industrialization are fish production, processing model, and market demands.

•

Industrialization of fish cartilage products accords with sustainable development.

MOntelukast as a potential CHondroprotective treatment following Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (MOCHA Trial): study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, patient-reported outcomes are improved 10 years post-surgery; however, cytokine concentrations remain elevated years after surgery with over 80% of those with combined ACL and meniscus injuries having posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) within 10-15 years. The purpose of this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is to assess whether a 6-month course of oral montelukast after ACL reconstruction reduces systemic markers of inflammation and biochemical and imaging biomarkers of cartilage degradation.

METHODS

We will enroll 30 individuals undergoing primary ACL reconstruction to participate in this IRB-approved multicenter clinical trial. This trial will target those at greatest risk of a more rapid PTOA onset (age range 25-50 with concomitant meniscus injury). Patients will be randomly assigned to a group instructed to take 10 mg of montelukast daily for 6 months following ACL reconstruction or placebo. Patients will be assessed prior to surgery and 1, 6, and 12 months following surgery. To determine if montelukast alters systemic inflammation following surgery, we will compare systemic concentrations of prostaglandin E2, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and pro-inflammatory cytokines between groups. We will also compare degradative changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) collected 1 and 12 months following surgery between groups with reductions in early biomarkers of cartilage degradation assessed with urinary biomarkers of type II collagen breakdown and bony remodeling.

DISCUSSION

There is a complex interplay between the pro-inflammatory intra-articular environment, underlying bone remodeling, and progressive cartilage degradation. PTOA affects multiple tissues and appears to be more similar to rheumatoid arthritis than osteoarthritis with respect to inflammation. There is currently no treatment to delay or prevent PTOA after ACL injury. Since there is a larger and more persistent inflammatory response after ACL reconstruction than the initial insult of injury, treatment may need to be initiated after surgery, sustained over a period of time, and target multiple mechanisms in order to successfully alter the disease process. This study will assess whether a 6-month postoperative course of oral montelukast affects multiple PTOA mechanisms. Because montelukast administration can be safely sustained for long durations and offers a low-cost treatment option, should it be proven effective in the current trial, these results can be immediately incorporated into clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04572256 . Registered on October 1, 2020.

Chondroitin Sulfate/Dermatan Sulfate-Protein Interactions and Their Biological Functions in Human Diseases: Implications and Analytical Tools

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) are linear anionic polysaccharides that are widely present on the cell surface and in the cell matrix and connective tissue. CS and DS chains are usually attached to core proteins and are present in the form of proteoglycans (PGs). They not only are important structural substances but also bind to a variety of cytokines, growth factors, cell surface receptors, adhesion molecules, enzymes and fibrillary glycoproteins to execute series of important biological functions. CS and DS exhibit variable sulfation patterns and different sequence arrangements, and their molecular weights also vary within a large range, increasing the structural complexity and diversity of CS/DS. The structure-function relationship of CS/DS PGs directly and indirectly involves them in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence suggests that CS/DS serves as an important cofactor for many cell behaviors. Understanding the molecular basis of these interactions helps to elucidate the occurrence and development of various diseases and the development of new therapeutic approaches. The present article reviews the physiological and pathological processes in which CS and DS participate through their interactions with different proteins. Moreover, classic and emerging glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-protein interaction analysis tools and their applications in CS/DS-protein characterization are also discussed.

Skate cartilage extracts containing chondroitin sulfate ameliorates hyperlipidemia-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in high cholesterol diet-fed LDL receptor knockout mice in comparison with shark chondroitin sulfate

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of skate cartilage extracts containing chondroitin sulfate (SCS) on hyperlipidemia-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed mice in comparison with the effects of shark cartilage-derived chondroitin sulfate (CS).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR-KO) mice were fed HCD with an oral administration of CS (50 and 100 mg/kg BW/day), SCS (100 and 200 mg/kg BW/day), or water, respectively, for ten weeks.

RESULTS

The administration of CS or SCS reduced the levels of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL cholesterol and elevated the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared with those of the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CS or SCS significantly attenuated inflammation by reducing the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and hepatic protein expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and IL-1beta (P < 0.05). In particular, the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was reduced only in the 100 mg/kg BW/day of SCS-fed group, whereas the IL-6 level was reduced in the 100 and 200 mg/kg BW/day of SCS-fed groups (P < 0.05). In addition, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production were attenuated in the livers of the CS and SCS groups mediated by the upregulation of hepatic proteins of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the biological effects of SCS, similar to those of CS, are attributed to improved lipid profiles as well as suppressed inflammation and oxidative stress induced by the intake of HCD.

Effectiveness of Non-Animal Chondroitin Sulfate Supplementation in the Treatment of Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis in a Group of Overweight Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the world and is characterized by pain, various disabilities and loss of quality of life. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is recommended as first-line therapy. CS of non-animal origin is of great interest for safety and sustainability reasons. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects, anti-pain and ability-enhancement of a short-term supplementation with non-animal CS in overweight subjects with OA. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 60 overweight adults with symptomatic OA were allocated to consume 600 mg of non-animal CS (n = 30) or a placebo (n = 30) daily for 12 consecutive weeks. The assessment of knee-pain, quality of life, related inflammation markers and body composition was performed at 0, 4 and 12 weeks. The Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring (TLKS) scale of the experimental group showed a statistically significant increase (+10.64 points; confidence interval (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.57; 15.70; p < 0.01), while the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score decreased (−12.24 points; CI 95% −16.01; −8.38; p < 0.01). The results also showed a decrease in the C-reactive protein (CRP) level (−0.14 mg/dL, CI 95% −0.26; −0.04; p < 0.01) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level (−5.01 mm/h, CI 95% −9.18; −0.84, p < 0.01) as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) score in both knees. In conclusion, this pilot study demonstrates the effectiveness of non-animal CS supplementation in overweight subjects with knee OA in improving knee function, pain and inflammation markers.

The chemokine system and its role in obesity

The chemokine system is a complex arrangement of molecules that attract leukocytes to the site of injury or inflammation. This chemotactic behavior gives the system the name "Chemokine." The intricate and redundant nature of the chemokine system has made it a subject of ongoing scientific investigation. Obesity is characterized as low-grade systemic or chronic inflammation that is responsible for the release of cytokines, adipokines, and chemokines. Excessive tissue fat expansion triggers the release of chemokines, which in turn attract various leukocytes and activate the resident immune surveillance system, eventually leading to worsening of obesity and other related comorbidities. To date, 50 chemokines and 20 chemokine receptors that belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor family have been discovered, and over the past two decades, the physiological and pathological roles of many of these chemokines and their receptors have been elucidated. The objective of this review is to present an update on the link between chemokines and obesity under the light of recent knowledge.