Chinese chicken cartilage collagen checks RA

Chinese researchers have found that collagen type II extracted from the cartilage of chicken breast can reduce the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when taken as a daily oral supplement. They enrolled 454 patients, with a mean duration of RA of about 1.6 years, and randomised them to take 0.1 mg of the collagen extract daily or methotrexate 10 mg weekly, for 24 weeks. They could continue to take NSAIDs, but no second-line medications. ACR20 responses were achieved by 42% of the chicken group compared to 58% of the methotrexate group. Similarly, ACR50 responses were attained by 17% and 31% respectively. The main side effects in both groups were gastrointestinal complaints, but they were milder in those randomised to the collagen extract. The researchers hypothesised that oral collagen ingestion induced immune tolerance. “Type II collagen is a major protein in articular cartilage and a potential autoantigen,” they said. Although less effective than treatment with ‘gold standard’ methotrexate, it was likely to be better tolerated in the long term than many conventional medications and should be considered a promising alternative strategy against RA, they said. Arthritis Research and Therapy 2009; published online.  ...