| Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by inflammation, joint pain and cartilage degeneration. OA remains without any effective pharmacological cure. Persons at risk of developing OA include obese individuals. We have previously reported the effects of dietary berries in improving cardio- metabolic outcomes in obese adults. To our knowledge no previous reports have examined the effects of berries on OA. Thus, in the present study we examined the hypothesis that strawberries will improve metabolic profiles and symptoms of pain in obese participants with radiographic evidence of knee OA.;In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial, obese participants [n=17 (Females 13, Males: 4); age: 56+/-7y; BMI: 39+/-6 kg/m2(mean+/-SD)] were randomized to one of two groups: strawberry (50g freeze-dried) or placebo, each for 12 weeks. Blood draws, anthropometric measurements, surveys for pain scores [visual analog scale of pain (VAS), Measure of Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain (ICOAP)] and quality of life indices Health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI)] were administered at screen, 12, 14 (washout) and 26 weeks of the study. We found significant decreases in pain scores (VAS) in the strawberry vs. placebo group at 12 weeks (0.71+/-0.31 and 0.90+/-0.47, respectively, p<0.05). IL-6 levels were significantly different in strawberry versus placebo group at 12 weeks (2.56+/-0.53 and 7.38+/-1.14, respectively, p<0.05). No differences were noted in biochemical profiles, especially, glucose, HbA1c, total- and LDL cholesterol and C-reactive protein. HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the strawberry vs. placebo group at 12 weeks (50+/-16 and 55+/-6.5mg/dL, respectively, p<0.05). Thus, strawberry bioactive compounds may help alleviate pain symptoms in knee OA. These findings deserve further investigation in larger clinical trials. |
