Influence of Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Intake on Disease Activity in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: The MIRA Randomized Cross-Over Dietary Intervention

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. This study evaluates the effect of blue mussel intake on disease activity and quality of life in women with RA. Thirty-nine women with established RA and a disease activity score 28 (DAS28) >3.0 were recruited to a randomized 2 × 11-week cross-over dietary intervention. The participants continued with their medication and habitual diet and exchanged one cooked meal a day, five days a week, with a meal including 75 g blue mussels or 75 g meat. Diets were switched after an eight week washout period. Data regarding quality of life (SF-36), blood lipids, erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and tender and swollen joints were examined at the start and end of each dietary period. Thirty women completed one period, and twenty-three completed both. Intake of the blue mussel diet led to a significant reduction of DAS28-CRP (p = 0.048), but not DAS28. The number of EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism) criteria moderate and good responders were higher when consuming blue mussel diet (p = 0.036). Blood lipids did not change. To conclude, blue mussel intake reduced disease symptoms in women with RA and improved perceived health. The reported effects need to be confirmed by non-patient reported outcomes, such as inflammation markers.

Do Interventions with Diet or Dietary Supplements Reduce the Disease Activity Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Two RCT studies investigated the effects of food items on disease activity—one parallel trial studying the intake of cranberry juice [ 23 ] and one crossover trial studying the intake of blue mussels [ 24 ]. The studies included 39 and 41 participants, all female.…”

“…The studies included 39 and 41 participants, all female. Lindqvist et al compared the effect of one daily ready-to-eat meal (5 days/week) for 11 weeks, supplemented with either 75 g blue mussels or chicken/red meat [ 24 ]. Thimoteo et al compared a usual diet supplemented with 500 mL/day low calorie cranberry juice to a usual diet, for 3 months [ 23 ].…”

Influence of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) intake on fatty acid composition in erythrocytes and plasma phospholipids and serum metabolites in women with rheumatoid arthritis

“…Participating patients and experimental design were described in detail in our previous publication [8]. Briefly, 39 women (25-65 years of age) with established RA and DAS28 >3.0 were allocated to start with either the blue mussel or control diet in a randomized, singleblinded cross-over intervention.…”

“…RA affects 0.5-1% of the population globally, predominantly women [7]. We have previously shown, in the randomized cross-over trial Mussels, Inflammation and RA (MIRA), that disease activity, fatigue, pain and general health in RA is improved by a dietary intervention with blue mussels [8]. Briefly, intake of blue mussels led to a significant reduction in disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP), with a trend towards significance for reduced CRP and reduced white blood cell count.…”

The Water Extract of <em>Mytilus edulis</em> Suppresses Oxidative Stress and Improves Male Reproduction Dysfunction in High-Fat Diet-induced Obese Rats

“…Another study showed that fatty acid from M. edulis possess anti-inflammatory activity in arthritis rats without adverse side effects [18]. The most recent study, reported that supplementation of M. edulis can reduced the pain and fatigue in patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [19].However, effects of Mytilus edulis water extract on male reduction dysfunction in obese rats haven't been reported. Based on this condition, this study aims to investigate the effects of Mytilus edulis water extract (MWE) on male reproduction dysfunction in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.…”