Effect of shark skin collagen on morphologic and biochemical changes in a guinea pig model of osteoarthritis

Effect of shark skin collagen to spontaneous osteoarthritis animal model in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs was examined. Histopathological findings showed that the incidence of cysts formation was slightly reduced. In the collagen group, the amount of collagen and proteoglycan in the epiphyses were increased. In the synovial fluid, the concentration of hydroxyproline was increased, and the concentration of glutamate, known as one of the excitatory amino acids was decreased after collagen treatment. These results suggest the oral administration of collagen adjusts the extracellular matrix metabolism, and has a therapeutic potential for the progression of osteoarthritis.