Positive Effect of Peptan on joint cells

Results of 2011 Rousselot study confirm the positive effect of Peptan collagen peptides on joint cells (chondrocytes).
A dose of 10g of collagen peptides per day [1] has demonstrated a positive effect on joint pain reduction. The integrity
of articular cartilage is dependent on the maintenance of the extracellular matrix, a process controlled by the joint cells,
the chondrocytes. The objective of the present study with a cell culture model was to investigate the effect of Peptan
collagen on the main components of the extracellular matrix of the cartilage: aggrecan and type II collagen.

Introduction
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis which causes
major disability worldwide. OA is characterized by cartilage destruction
resulting in joint space narrowing and loss of function (figure 1).
The result of ongoing cartilage destruction is irreversible damage to
the extracellular matrix (ECM) of cartilage with ultimate loss of joint
function [2].

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Peptan on the
gene expression of 2 major constituents of the extracellular matrix of
the cartilage: aggrecan and type II collagen.

Chondrocytes, the only cell type in cartilage, are the versatile

regulators of cartilage equilibrium. Traumatic cartilage injury leads to
an irreversible cartilage loss since differentiated chondrocytes do not
divide and hence do not compensate for these defects [3]. There are
no long-term effective treatments for OA.

Cartilage
has almost
disappeared

Normal knee

Knee with osteoarthritis

Figure 1: Cartilage in normal knee and knee with osteoarthritis

1. Methods
The tests have been carried out by Atlantic Bone Screen Laboratory,
Nantes, France (ABS).
Chondrocytes were collected from articular cartilage of 4-week-old
male rats.
Rousselot Peptan B collagen peptides of bovine origin were used at 3
concentrations 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/mL.
Ibuprofen at 25g/ml was used as a positive reference item as it is a
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Assessment of the Peptan B effects on cartilage specific gene expression

Cells were seeded and cell growth was measured until 8 days (figure 2).
At the different end points mRNAs (see glossary) were extracted from
the chondrocytes. The concentration of total mRNA was measured by
optical density. Gene expression was then measured by quantitative
PCR (qPCR, see glossary).
The expression of the cartilage extracellular matrix specific genes,
aggrecan, collagen type II, was measured.

All the experiments have been done 3 times and the results are
averages of 3 measurements.

Treatments by IL-1 and/or test item

Time
(days)
D-1

D0

D1

D3

D8

Extraction of RNA and

quantification by qPCR

Extraction of RNA and

quantification by qPCR

Extraction of RNA and

quantification by qPCR

Figure 2: Protocol for gene expression measurements until 8 days.

2. Results
Effect of Peptan B on cartilage specific gene expression
8,00

Expresin (unidad arbitraria)

7,00

Chondrocytes culture (microscope Nikon, objectif x10).

6,00
5,00
4,00
3,00
2,00
1,00
0,00

Peptan B at 0.1 or 1 mg/mL concentrations over 8 days significantly

enhanced the expression of aggrecan and type II collagen mRNA
(figure 3). These results demonstrate that Peptan specifically enhanced
the chondrocyte gene expression of the cartilage extra cellular matrix
components.

Situacin con
solvente control

Ibuprofen
25/mL

Peptan B
0,01mg/mL

Agrecan

Peptan B
0,1mg/mL

Peptan B
1mg/mL

colgeno de tipo II

Figure 3: Effects of Peptan B on aggrecan and type II collagen mRNA expression after
8days of treatment (qPCR). *: significant vs control p<0.05

3. Conclusion
After 8 days of treatment, Peptan collagen peptides at concentrations of 0.1 and 1 mg/mL enhanced significantly the expression of cartilage
specific markers: aggrecan and type II collagen.
In this study, Peptan has a similar effect on joint cells as Ibuprofen, a usual medication against inflammation.
These data confirm that Peptan collagen peptides may prevent cartilage matrix degradation by increasing the production of aggrecan and type
II collagen, in line with previous studies [5]. The data also strengthen the hypothesis that collagen peptides may be recognized as a signal of
cartilage degradation by chondrocytes which therefore activate the synthesis of aggrecan and type II collagen as a response.

Glossary
Aggrecan the major proteoglycan of the articular cartilage, i.e. a protein modified with large carbohydrates. This molecule is important in the
proper functioning of articular cartilage because it provides a hydrated gel structure that endows the cartilage with load-bearing properties [4].
mRNA
 Messenger RNA, is a molecule encoding a chemical blueprint for a protein product. mRNA is transcribed from a DNA template,
and carries coding information to the sites of protein synthesis.
qPCR
 quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA or
RNA molecule.

References
[1]: Benito-Ruiz P., Camacho-Zambrano M.M., Carrillo-Arcentales J.N., Mestanza-Peralta M.A., Vallejo-Flores C.A., Vargas-Lopez S.V., Villacis-Tamayo R.A. and Zurita-Gavilanes L.A. 2009. A
randomized controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of a food ingredient, collagen hydrolysate, for improving joint comfort. International journal of food sciences and nutrition, 12:1-15.
[2]: Sofat N. Analysing the role of endogenous matrix molecules in the development of osteoarthritis. Int J Exp Pathol. 2009 Oct; 90(5): 463-79.
[3]: Schulze-Tanzil G. Activation and dedifferentiation of chondrocytes: implications in cartilage injury and repair. Ann Anat. 2009 Oct; 191(4): 325-38.
[4]: Kiani C, Chen L., Wu Y.J., Yee J. A., Yang B.B. Structure and function of aggrecan. Cell Research 2002; 12(1):19-32.
[5]: Oesser S, Seifert J. Stimulation of type II collagen biosynthesis and secretion in bovine chondrocytes cultured with degraded collagen. Cell Tissue Res. 2003 Mar;
311(3): 393-9.

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These results show that Peptan collagen peptides may be used to prevent the degradation of cartilage and thus to prevent discomfort and joint
pain due to this degradation.