# Efficacy and Safety Assessment of a Dietary Supplement in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis and Dogs with Arthritic Signs

## TL;DR

A dietary supplement was tested in rats and dogs with osteoarthritis and showed effectiveness in reducing joint damage and inflammation without harmful side effects.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel dietary supplement with chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in both preventive and therapeutic settings for osteoarthritis.

## Key findings

- The supplement reduced inflammation and cartilage damage in rats when administered before and after osteoarthritis induction.
- No adverse effects on liver or kidney function were observed in rats or dogs.
- Arthritis scores in dogs improved significantly after 8 weeks of supplement use without additional treatment.

## Abstract

A dietary supplement containing mucopolysaccharide, chondroitin sulfate, type II collagen, and omega-3 fatty acid was orally administered to a rodent model and dogs with osteoarthritis over five weeks to evaluate their preventive and therapeutic efficacy. The group administered before the induction of osteoarthritis showed a preventive effect compared to the control group in which osteoarthritis was induced in terms of histological results and gene expression related to joint inflammation and damage. In addition, even when administered after the induction of osteoarthritis, there was an improvement effect in cytokines, gene expression, and tissue examination in the joint space. No detrimental effects on kidney and liver function were observed. In dogs with arthritic signs, all clinical evaluation was improved. This confirmed the efficacy and safety of this dietary supplement in osteoarthritis-induced rats and dogs.

BYVET JOINT HEALTM (BJH) contains mucopolysaccharide protein, chondroitin sulfate, type II collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids, which protect and prevent osteoarthritis (OA)-associated tissue damage and degradation in dogs and cats. This study aimed to generate a novel dietary supplement and evaluate its prevention and therapeutic efficacy in an OA Sprague Dawley rat model induced using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA). Negative control, MIA-induced OA control (MIA), OA rats treated with BJH three weeks after (M+BJH3) and those treated two weeks before and three weeks after OA induction (BJH2+M+BJH3) groups were assigned. M+BJH3 and BJH2+M+BJH3 had similar mean body weight increases until 29 days. BJH2+M+BJH3 showed a significantly higher body weight than M+BJH3 and MIA on the final day. Interleukin-1β in BJH2+M+BJH3 was significantly lower than that in MIA. Tumor necrosis factor-α, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinases13, and cyclooxygenase-2 levels in M+BJH3 and BJH2+M+BJH3 significantly differed compared to those in MIA. BJH administration before OA induction significantly decreased OA severity and functional recovery. Consuming a BJH supplement showed modifying and chondroprotective effects and significantly reduced cartilage degeneration and inflammation with no side effects. Hence, our findings demonstrate the potential of using BJH as a safe therapeutic and preventive supplement for OA and associated cartilage abnormalities. Also, 30 dogs diagnosed with OA by a veterinarian participated in the clinical trial, and BJH was provided for 8 weeks. Blood tests (CBC, serum chemistry) and joint assessment were performed before and after the feeding, and the effects of a BJH supplement were compared. BJH supplement was easy to administer, and no side effects were reported. Feeding BJH supplementation alone to dogs with arthritis had an overall positive effect on arthritis scores for 8 weeks without any other treatment, including non-steroidal drugs.