title: Chondroprotection using naturally occurring mineral supplementation formula in degenerative osteoarthritis of the knees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the therapeutic and safety efficacy of a naturally occurring mineral supplementation in the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, single centre, study of 50 patients aged 50 years and above with painful and radiological Osteoarthritis of knees was carried out for one year. Patients received 40 drops of naturally occurring commercially available mineral supplement concentrate mineral drops purportedly derived from the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Efficacy was objectively confirmed by evaluating changes in the thickness of articular cartilage, joint space width, synovial fluid analysis and subjectively by changes in WOMAC scores and 6 Minute pain-free Walking Distance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The composite WOMAC scores were significantly improved by 17.2 points from a mean of 52 at baseline by year end. 18 (41%) patients showed improvement of more than 100 feet for the pain free distance covered during a 6 minute walk at one year follow-up. Ultrasonologicaly, at one year cartilage thickness improved by at least 0.01 mm in 9 (21%) patients. Though radiologicallynone of patient showed increase in joint space it was noticed that only 2(4.6%) patients had decline of joint space width of more than 0.5 mm. Average cell count reduced to 205/microlitre from a value of 520/microlitre at the start of study suggesting that the mineral supplement used had structural efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinically relevant, statistically significant symptomatic and statistically insignificant structural improvement occurred over 1 year period in patients receiving the naturally occurring mineral supplement. The protection of the joint cartilages from progressive degeneration during osteoarthritis by these supplements indicates towards a chondrocyte regenerative potential of this supplement. Such regeneration may occur through activation of tissue specific adult chondrocyte precursors or stem cells.
authors.forename: Himanshu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Anupama
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Diwaker
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: Dhananjay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Deb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D008903:Minerals