Pro-inflammatory properties of shark cartilage supplement

Abstract

The erosion and breakdown of cartilage is generally recognized to be an integral manifestation of arthritic disease, which is often accompanied by the development and progression of inflammation associated with it. Commercial shark cartilage (SC) is a popular dietary supplement taken for the prevention and/or control of chronic disease, including arthritis. The efficacy of SC in maintaining joint health remains questionable; there is a lack of sufficient reliable information on its effect on immunocompetent cells, and the potential health risks involved have not been adequately assessed. Our earlier in vitro studies showed that SC extracts induce a Th1-type inflammatory cytokine response in human leucocytes, and collagen type II alpha 1 protein was shown to be an active cytokine-inducing component in SC. In this study, we further define the cellular response to SC stimulation by classifying leucocytes into primary and secondary responders employing enriched leucocyte subpopulations. Inhibitors of specific signaling pathways were used to verify the functional effect of SC on specific pathway(s) utilized. Results indicate the monocyte/macrophage as the initially responding cell, followed by lymphocytes and the production of interferon-γ. Chemokines, MCP-1 and RANTES, were produced at significant levels in stimulated leucocyte cultures. Initial cellular activation is likely followed by activation of Jun Kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways. This study presents evidence of significant immunological reactivity of components of commercial SC supplement, which could pose a potential health risk for consumers, particularly those with underlying inflammatory disease such as irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis.

Development of a DNA mini-barcoding protocol targeting COI for the identification of elasmobranch species in shark cartilage pills

“…The skeletons of sharks and other elasmobranch species are composed of cartilage, which is a connective tissue rich in proteins such as collagens and proteoglycans (Sim, et al, 2007). Shark cartilage has been investigated as a possible treatment for numerous medical conditions, including arthritis and cancer (Merly & Smith, 2015;Mondo, et al, 2014;Sim, et al, 2007). Due to its purported health benefits, shark cartilage is widely used as a dietary supplement.…”

Cyanobacterial Neurotoxin BMAA and Mercury in Sharks

“…Dietary supplements containing shark cartilage, the health benefits of which are purportedly bolstered by traditional Chinese medicine claims, have gained popularity in western nations. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been unable to confirm any proclaimed benefits [16] and available reports of health benefits are questionable [17]. …”

“…For example, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) advises that people should not eat sharks greater than ~109 cm and further recommends that children and pregnant woman not eat any shark meat [23]. Moreover, recent studies have reported that commercial shark cartilage supplements contain pro-inflammatory compounds that could pose health risks for consumers, especially those with inflammatory diseases [17]. …”