Synergistic Effects of Nutritional Formula on Joint Inflammation Through Modulation of Bone Metabolism in Rats

BACKGROUND: Joint inflammation is significantly connected with progressive joint deterioration, potentially increasing the incidence of persistent major clinical challenges and global disability. Nutrient-based preventive strategies have been explored to investigate the interventive efficacy of the proposed prescribed formula for joint inflammation. However, the synergistic ameliorative effects of the nutritional formula should be evaluated to investigate its impact on joint inflammation. METHODS: -acetylglucosamine (G), enzymatically hydrolyzed bone powder (E), and undenatured type II collagen (U) was comprehensively evaluated for its synergistic effects on joint inflammation and the underlying mechanisms. A rat model established using the Hulth method was used to evaluate the interventive effects in vivo. Moreover, in vitro analysis using the murine chondrogenic cell line ATDC5 was performed to validate the intervention and its mechanism of action. RESULTS: The prescribed formula was shown to synergistically reduce levels of inflammation-related cytokines, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance bone metabolism to promote joint regeneration. Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) analysis revealed restoration of joint architecture and ameliorated physiological status upon formula intervention. In vitro analysis further validated the synergistic alleviation of inflammation and oxidation, as well as reductions in MMP13 and CTX-1 levels, which implies that modulating bone metabolism alleviates the deterioration and inflammation of joint architecture. CONCLUSIONS: The synergistic formula in this study achieves synchronous modulation of several core pathological pathways, yielding synergistic modulation of joint inflammation. Nutrient-based interventions or preventive strategies show promising effects against joint inflammation and progressive mechanistic deterioration.