MSM Articles
MSM Offers Relief for Arthritis
Randomised, Double-Blind,
Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study
of Oral Glucosamine,
Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis
MSM, Glucosamine Combo Have Faster Effect On Arthritis
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MSM Offers Relief for Arthritis
New results of a study published in the journal of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage show that Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) may help lessen the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and improve physical functioning.
Researchers from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (Tempe, AZ) conducted a pilot study of 50 volunteers with osteoarthritis of the knee. Each participant took either 3 g of MSM or a placebo twice per day for three months. The researchers found that MSM generated significant decreases in pain and physical function impairment as measured by the WOMAC scale.
Knee osteoarthritis affects the lives of millions of people all over the world. These results provide long-sought validation that MSM is a safe and effective option for people who want to improve their joint health.
LS Kim et al., "Efficacy of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in Osteoarthritis Pain of the Knee: A Pilot Clinical Trial,"
Journal of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 14 (March 2006): 286-294.
Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis
Objective
Glucosamine, classified as a slow-acting drug in osteoarthritis (SADOA), is an efficacious chondroprotective agent. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), the isoxidised form of dimethyl-sulfoxide (DSMO), is an effective natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of oral glucosamine (Glu), methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), their combination and placebo in osteoarthritis of the knee.
Patients and design
A total of 118 patients of either sex with mild to moderate osteoarthritis were included in the study and randomized to receive either Glu 500mg, MSM 500mg, Glu and MSM or placebo capsules three times daily for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at 0 (before drug administration), 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post-treatment for efficacy and safety. The efficacy parameters studied were the pain index, the swelling index, visual analogue scale pain intensity, 15m walking time, the Lequesne index, and consumption of rescue medicine.
Result
Glu, MSM and their combination significantly improved signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis compared with placebo. There was a statistically significant decrease in mean (± SD) pain index from 1.74 ± 0.47 at baseline to 0.65 ± 0.71 at week 12 with Glu (p < 0.001). MSM significantly decreased the mean pain index from 1.53 ± 0.51 to 0.74 ± 0.65, and combination treatment resulted in a more significant decrease in the mean pain index (1.7 ± 0.47 to 0.36 ± 0.33; p < 0.001). After 12 weeks, the mean swelling index significantly decreased with Glu and MSM, while the decrease in swelling index with combination therapy was greater (1.43 ± 0.63 to 0.14 ± 0.35; p < 0.05) after 12 weeks. The combination produced a statistically significant decrease in the Lequesne index. All treatments were well tolerated.
Conclusion
Glu, MSM and their combination produced an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in osteoarthritis. Combination therapy showed better efficacy in reducing pain and swelling and in improving the functional ability of joints than the individual agents. All the treatments were well tolerated. The onset of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity was found to be more rapid with the combination than with Glu. It can be concluded that the combination of MSM with Glu provides better and more rapid improvement in patients with osteoarthritis.
Clinical Drug Investigation, 2004, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 353-363(11)
Usha P.R.1; Naidu M.U.R.1
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MSM, Glucosamine Combo Have Faster Effect On Arthritis
Combining the sulphur-containing nutrient MSM with well-known joint health supplement glucosamine appears to speed up the anti-inflammatory effect and further reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis, report Indian researchers.
Glucosamine, derived largely from shrimp shells, is widely used by arthritis patients but it is less commonly found in combination with MSM, or methylsulfonylmethane, which is the isoxidised form of dimethyl-sulfoxide (DSMO).
It is however often taken along with chondroitin sulphate.
In the new study, both glucosamine and MSM improved osteoarthritis symptoms in subjects but when taken together the effect was greater than either alone.
"Combination therapy showed better efficacy in reducing pain and swelling and in improving the functional ability of joints than the individual agents," report the researchers in the June issue of Clinical Drug Investigations (vol 24, no6, pp 353-363).
More than 7 million adults in the UK - 15 per cent of the population - have long-term health problems due to arthritis and related conditions, according to the Arthritis Research Campaign, and 550,000 have moderate to severe osteoarthritis in their knees.
And across Europe the number of arthritis sufferers will continue to escalate as the population ages and other major risk factors, such as obesity, also increase.
Dr P Usha and M Naidu from Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India randomized 118 people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis to receive either 500mg glucosamine, 500mg MSM, a combination of both or placebo capsules three times daily for 12 weeks.
Patients were evaluated at prior to the study and several times during treatment for efficacy and safety.
After 12 weeks, the average pain score had fallen from 1.74 to 0.65 in those taking only glucosamine. In MSM-only participants, it fell from 1.53 to 0.74. However, in the combination group, it fell from 1.7 to 0.36. The researchers also found that the combination treatment had a faster effect on pain and inflammation compared to glucosamine alone.
"It can be concluded that the combination of MSM with glucosamine provides better and more rapid improvement in patients with osteoarthritis," write the researchers.
nutraingredients.com
7/22/2004
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