Oral administration of hydrolysates of cartilage extract in the prevention of osteoarthritis

Abstract

As a degenerative disease, osteoarthritis (OA) has become a worldwide concern. This study aimed at investigating effects of chicken sternal cartilage hydrolysates (CCH) on the prevention of OA, which was established by medial meniscus resection and anterior to medial collateral ligament operation in rat. After the operation, rats were administrated with CCH, mainly including collagen peptides and chondroitin sulfate, for 12 weeks. Administration of CCH could inhibit abnormal subchondral bone, and then prevent osteophyte formation in a dose-dependent manner. According to histological analysis, administration of CCH at doses of 200 mg kg−1 d−1 and 500 mg kg−1 d−1 significantly ameliorated cartilage damage. Moreover, it significantly improved abnormal collagen metabolism, leading to a significant reduction of collagen loss in cartilage. Therefore, this study indicated that CCH may be used as the potential functional food ingredients for OA prevention.