Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that cripples millions of horses each year around the world. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of glycosylated undenatured type II collagen (UC-II®) in osteoarthritic horses. Prior to the study, the horses exhibited stiffness and pain in their joints with swelling, tenderness and inflammation. Researchers also noted crunching sounds that indicated bone rubbing against bone. Horses received either placebo (Group I) or UC-II (containing 25% undenatured type II collagen) at varying doses (160 mg for Group II, 320 mg for Group III, and 480 mg for Group IV) daily for 150 days. UC-II capsules were administered orally every day in a handful of grain. On a monthly basis, horses were given a physical exam and flexion test to observe for overall pain, pain upon limb manipulation, and pain from physical exertion. At the same time intervals, horses were checked for body weight, pulse rate, respiration rate and body temperature, in addition to serum chemistry for liver (ALP, GGT, and bilirubin), heart and renal (BUN and creatinine) functions.

The group of horses that received placebo showed no changes in arthritic condition, while those in Group II showed moderate improvement. Horses receiving the higher doses of UC-II (320 and 480 mg/day) showed the greatest improvement. In Group III (320 mg/day), UC-II reduced overall pain by 79%, while in Group IV (480 mg/day) overall pain was reduced by 88%; pain upon limb manipulation was reduced by 71% in Group III and by 78% in Group IV; and pain after physical exertion was reduced by 68% in Group III and by 73% in Group IV. For all groups receiving UC-II, there was an increase in mobility and flexibility of joints and of physical activity due to the decrease in pain associated with arthritis. Throughout the study, body weight, temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate remained unchanged. Neither placebo nor UC-II caused any change in liver, heart or renal function serum markers, indicating that UC-II is well-tolerated by osteoarthritic horses. Researchers concluded that UC-II at higher doses of 320 mg/day and 480 mg/day ameliorates signs and symptoms of arthritis without producing any adverse events, while 480 mg/day dose provided the greatest benefit. In contrast, the effective dosage in human and dog studies was found to be 40 mg of UC-II. This study corroborates earlier published findings showing that UC-II significantly reduces pain and stiffness in osteoarthritic dogs, and previous published clinical studies that showed UC-II significantly reduced symptoms such as joint stiffness and tenderness in arthritic patients compared to placebo groups.

Source:  Gupta RC, Stocker A, Minniear J, Zyrkowski G, Canerdy TD, Barnett D, DeWees W, Goad JT, Bagchi M, and Bagchi D, 2007 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Vol 21, No 3, Abs 334, Pg. 664, May/June 2007.