Shea Nut Oil Extracts Enhance the Intra-Articular Sodium Hyaluronate Effectiveness on Surgically Induced OA Progression in Rats.

Ing-Jung Chen,Chih-Shung Wong

doi:10.3390/nu12040957

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) progression is associated with joint pain and stiffness. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) injection in knee OA restores the viscoelasticity of the joint and prevents cartilage damage. Shea nut oil extract (SNO) was shown to provide chondroprotection on surgically-induced OA progression in rats. Here we aim to examine IAHA injection supplemented with SNO diet for a synergetic evaluation on the disease progression in OA rats. We employed an anterior cruciate ligament transection plus medial meniscectomy-induced knee OA rat model with up to 12 weeks of sign/behavior observation (knee width, weight-bearing) and histological assessments of joint damage. We found both IAHA and SNO alone significantly attenuated histological changes of cartilage degeneration and synovial reactions in these knee OA rats. Nonetheless, oral SNO alone mitigated OA pain and inflammation while IAHA alone had no significant impact on the weight-bearing test and knee joint swelling. Moreover, with IAHA-treated rats fed with oral SNO diet, additional anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects were found, which further enhanced and maintained IAHA protection. Given the differential phenotype of oral SNO vs. IAHA, a regimen of IAHA coupled with SNO supplement provides a long-term effect of IAHA treatment. Taken together, the SNO supplement can be safely used as an adjuvant diet for chronic symptomatic relief of OA coupled with IAHA management.

Highlights

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial joint disease and a common disabling condition affecting the global population [1,2]
We found gradual and minor reduction of body weight in OA rats supplemented with oral Shea nut oil extract (SNO), including those receiving Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) at the same time (Figure 1B)
We previously demonstrated that long-term oral SNO supplementation in OA rats decreased body

Summary

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial joint disease and a common disabling condition affecting the global population [1,2]. The increasing joint pain and stiffness gradually leads to reduced physical function, quality of life, and frequent physician visits [3,4]. Adults with heart disease, diabetes, and obesity have a higher prevalence of OA (49.3%, 47.1%, and 30.6%, respectively) and arthritis-attributable activity limitations [5]. The management of these associated factors are recommended to potentially reduce symptomatic knee and hip OA incidences [6,7]. OA pain is the predominant limiting factor for a patient’s activity and life quality, and it leads those individuals affected to seek medical care [8]. The ultimate goal of nonsurgical treatment modalities is to reduce the pain and restore function while delaying total knee replacement (TKR), a substantial direct health-care cost in OA patients with end-stage disease. Researchers have urged into the preventive management of OA and development of disease-modifying OA drugs [9]

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Conclusion