UC-II®, Alone or with Glucosamine & Chondroitin, Reduces Pain in Arthritic Dogs
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UC-II® is an undenatured or intact form of type II collagen found in the cartilage of joints. Arthritis is common among older canines, and previous research reported that daily administration of UC-II® reduces pain and promotes mobility in arthritic dogs. The current study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of UC-II® with or without glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate, compounds that have been shown to reduce osteoarthritic pain in animals and humans. Four groups of dogs (n=5) received either: UC-II® (10 mg undenatured type II collagen) alone, glucosamine HCl (2000 mg) and chondroitin sulfate (1600 mg), UC-II® combined with glucosamine and chondroitin, or placebo daily for 120 days. Overall pain was assessed, as was exercise-related soreness or limping (lameness), and pain experienced when the researchers manipulated the dog’s limbs. The pain parameters were evaluated regularly during the study and one month after the treatment period ended. Alt hough pain was significantly reduced by the end of the first month, maximum improvement was seen after 120 days. UC-II® alone decreased overall pain by 62%, while painful limb movement and lameness decreased by 91% and 78%, respectively. The group given UC-II® in combination with with glucosamine and chondroitin fared better than dogs given glucosamine and chondroitin alone. The combination of UC-II®, glucosamine and chondroitin reduced overall pain by 57%, and both pain with limb movement and lameness by 53%. Except for the placebo group, all dogs experienced a relapse in pain one month after treatment was stopped. No adverse effects or changes in liver, heart or kidney function markers, body weight or temperature were observed. These results extend the findings from earlier investigations, and show that UC-II® alone, or in combination with glucosamine and chondroitin, can safely alleviate pain in arthritic animals.
Source: D'Altilio M, Peal A, Alvey M, Simms C, Curtsinger A, Gupta RC, Canerdy, TD, Goad, JT, Bagchi M, Bagchi D, Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Undenatured Type II Collagen Singly or in Combination with Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Arthritic Dogs, Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 17:189-196, 2007.
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