Effects, safety and tolerability of daily oral intake of high-molecular-weight hyaluronan on relief of chronic pain
Oral Intake of a Liquid High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronan Associated with Relief of Chronic Pain and Reduced Use of Pain Medication: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Pilot Study.
Article specifications
This randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind pilot study was published in 2015 in Journal of Medicinal Food (IF 2015:1.20) by American orthopedics. The goal for this study was to evaluate the effects of daily oral intake of a consumable liquid fermentate containing high-molecular-weight hyaluronan, as well as to perform a basic evaluation of safety and tolerability. Safety assessment included a complete blood count with differential, blood chemistry and electrocardiogram. The study duration was 4 weeks, where three tablespoons (45 mL) product or placebo was ingested during the first 2 weeks, and two tablespoons (30 mL) was consumed during the last 2 weeks. Seventy-eight people between the age of 19 and 71 years enrolled, and 72 people completed the study. The average molecular weight of the HA ranged between 2.5 and 2.8 million Daltons. At each visit, pain levels for both the primary and secondary areas were scored for ‘‘pain at rest’’ and ‘‘pain at use,’’ using an unmarked 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). At screening, 2-week, and 4-week follow-up, blood was drawn to perform a complete blood count (CBC) with differential count, a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), and Hepatic Function. At screening and 4-week follow up, a 3-lead ECG was performed.
Results
A reduction in pain scores was seen after 2 weeks of consumption of both placebo and active product; the reduction was more pronounced in the group consuming the active test product. Using ‘‘within-subject’’ analysis, a highly significant reduction in chronic pain scores was seen after 2 weeks of consumption of three tablespoons of active product, whereas only a mild nonsignificant reduction in pain scores was seen in the placebo group. During the reduced intake for the last 2 weeks of study participation, pain scores showed a slight increase. During the last 2 weeks, a significant increase in the quality of sleep and level of physical energy was seen. The pain reduction during the initial 2 weeks was associated with significant reduction in the use of pain medication. Consumption of an oral liquid formula containing high molecular-weight hyaluronan was associated with relief of chronic pain.
