The Effects Of A Calcium‐Collagen Chelate Dietary Supplement on Molecules Regulating Osteoclastogenesis In Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

The use of hydrolyzed collagen dietary supplements as a means to aid in the prevention of bone loss has received considerable attention. Thirty‐nine osteopenic postmenopausal women were randomized to receive either a chelated supplement of calcium (500 mg) and enzymatically hydrolyzed collagen (5 g) (CC), and 200 IU of vitamin D3 or the same dose of calcium and vitamin D3 alone as control for one year. We found that the loss of whole body bone mineral density in women consuming CC was significantly lower than that of the control group at 12 months in those who completed the study (CC: ‐1.33% and ‐0.33% vs. control: ‐3.75% and ‐2.17%; P = .026, P = .035). In addition, serum concentrations of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, an osteoclast‐derived degradative enzyme, were significantly reduced at six months in the CC group. In order to determine whether CC reduces fracture risk and better understand the mode of action by which CC and similar dietary collagen formulations act, we will assess hip fracture risk using FRAX®, and serum concentrations of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. We anticipate that at six‐ and twelve‐month time points, levels of RANKL in the CC group compared to the control will be significantly lower with OPG levels unaltered, representing decreased maturation and activation of bone‐resorbing osteoclasts. The regulation of these important molecules has been reported to occur in a similar fashion with other hydrolyzed collagen formulations in rodents, but has yet to be confirmed in humans.