UC-II Undenatured Type II Collagen for Knee Joint Flexibility: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study

Abstract

Objective: Joint-related stress models have been used in the past to induce a standardized load on physical structures, allowing researchers to observe changes in perceived stress on joints as accurately as possible in healthy individuals. Previous studies support the efficacy of UC-II ® undenatured type II collagen (“undenatured collagen”) supplementation in maintaining joint health. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of undenatured collagen on knee flexibility in healthy subjects who experience activity-related joint discomfort (ArJD). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA)-controlled study was conducted in healthy subjects with ArJD who had no history of osteoarthritis, or joint diseases. Ninety-six ( n = 96, 20–55 years old) subjects who reported joint discomfort while performing a standardized single-leg-step-down test were randomized to receive either PLA ( n = 48) or 40 mg of undenatured collagen ( n = 48) supplementation daily for 24 weeks. Range of motion (ROM) flexion and extension were measured using a digital goniometer. Results: At the end of the study, a statistically significant increase in knee ROM flexion was observed in the undenatured collagen group versus the PLA group (3.23° vs. 0.21°; p = 0.025). In addition, an increase in knee ROM extension by 2.21° was observed over time in the undenatured collagen group ( p = 0.0061), while the PLA group showed a nonsignificant increase by 1.27° ( p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis by age showed a significant increase in knee ROM flexion in subjects >35 years old in the undenatured collagen supplemented group compared with PLA (6.79° vs. 0.30°; p = 0.0092). Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest that daily supplementation of 40 mg of undenatured collagen improved knee joint ROM flexibility and extensibility in healthy subjects with ArJD.

Impact of Specific Bioactive Collagen Peptides on Joint Discomforts in the Lower Extremity during Daily Activities: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Similarly, joint functionality seemed to be improved in the current investigation as participants experienced reduced restrictions when squatting. Although results coming from studies in a population with a wider age range confirmed the findings [43][44][45], some investigations could not report improvements in joint pain and functionality [59,60].…”

Collagen Supplementation for Joint Health: The Link between Composition and Scientific Knowledge

“…Most of the studies have evaluated the therapeutic potential of either native type II collagen [ 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ] or hydrolyzed collagens [ 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ] in patients with OA. However, both types of collagens have been also tested in non-osteoarthritic individuals suffering joint discomfort [ 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 ].…”

“…However, in other studies no differences have been detected in serum biomarkers of joint integrity [ 89 , 108 ]. On the other hand, all studies published in non-OA individuals have reported improvements in activity-related joint discomfort and mobility [ 108 , 109 , 110 ].…”

Autoimmunity and autoinflammation — the key to understanding the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis and developing new ways for its prevention and therapy

“…В большинстве исследований оценивали терапевтический потенциал нативного CII [92][93][94][95][96][97] или гидролизованного коллагена [98][99][100][101] у пациентов с ОА. Оба типа коллагена были протестированы у лиц, страдающих от дискомфорта в суставах при отсутствии ОА [102][103][104].…”