Title: Role of S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Authors: Khan AF, Parveen K, Khan AS

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i4.46

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder of multi factorial etiology characterized by the loss of articular cartilage, hypertrophy of bone at the margins, sub-chondral sclerosis, and range of biochemical and morphological alterations of the synovial membrane and joint capsule. Pathological changes in the late stage of OA include softening, ulceration, and focal disintegration of the articular cartilage. Synovial inflammation also may occur. Most arthritis sufferers take acetaminophen to relieve the pain, but it does not reduce the inflammation which could be accelerating the disease process. Doctors often recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce the pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. NSAIDs act by reducing the activity of COX enzymes, thus inhibiting the production of inflammatory prostaglandins.

Due to unsatisfactory traditional treatment options, there has been growing interest in the use of natural health supplements for the treatment of osteoarthritis. One such dietary supplement is SAMe which has been prescribed in Europe for the treatment of osteoarthritis, depression and liver disease since the 1970s.

SAMe as a potential safe treatment for osteoarthritis, that may actually regenerate cartilage. Future studies will provide further evidence of SAMe’s effectiveness and reveal the mechanism by which SAMe increases cartilage synthesis, which is critical to eliminate the suffering of patients with osteoarthritis.

References

1.      Bottiglieri T. Baylor S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe): from the bench to the bedside--molecular basis of a pleiotrophic molecule. Am J ClinNutr. 2002 Nov;76(5):1151S-7S.

2.      Najm WI, Reinsch S.S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) versus celecoxib for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms: a double-blind cross-over trial. MusculoskeletDisord. 2004 Feb 26;5:6.

3.      Gutierrez S, Palacios I. SAMe restores the changes in the proliferation and in the synthesis of fibronectin and proteoglycans induced by tumour necrosis factor alpha on cultured rabbit synovial cells. Br J Rheumatol. 1997 Jan;36(1):27-31.

4.      Kalbhen DA, Jansen G. Pharmacologic studies on the antidegenerative effect of ademetionine in experimental arthritis in animals. Arzneimittelforschung. 1990 Sep;40(9):1017-21.

5.      Polli E, Cortellaro M. Pharmacological and clinical aspects of S-adenosylm-ethionine (SAMe) in primary degenerative arthropathy (osteoarthrosis) Minerva Med. 1975 Dec 5;66(83):4443-59.

6.      Soeken KL, Lee WL. M,Safety and efficacy of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for osteoarthritis. ACP J Club. 2003 Jan-Feb;138(1):21.

7.      Hosea Blewett HJ. Exploring the Mecha-nisms behind S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis. Crit Rev Food SciNutr. 2008 May;48 (5):458-63.

8.      diPadova C. S-adenosylmethionine in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Review of the clinical studies. Am J Med. 1987 Nov 20;83(5A):60-5.

9.      Harmand MF, Vilamitjana J. Effects of S-adenosylmethionine on human articular chondrocyte differentiation. An in vitro study. Am J Med 1987;83:48–54.

10.  Barcelo HA, Wiemeyer JC. Effect of S-adenosylmethionine on experimental osteoarthritis in rabbits. Am J Med 1987;83:55–9.

11.  Baldessarini RJ.Neuropharmacology of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. Am J Med, 1987 Nov 20, 83:5A, 95-103.

12.  Williams AL, Girard C.S-adenosylmet-hionine (SAMe) as treatment for depression: a systematic review. Clin Invest Med. 2005 Jun;28(3):132-9. 

13.  Gören JL, Stoll AL. Bioavailability and lack of toxicity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) in humans. Pharmaco-therapy. 2004 Nov;24(11):1501-7.

14.  Papakostas GI, Alpert JE.S-adenosyl-methionine in depression: a comprehe-nsive review of the literature.  Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2003 Dec;5(6):460-6.

15.  Saletu B, Anderer P. Pharmacodynamic studies on the central mode of action of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) infusions in elderly subjects, utilizing EEG mapping and psychometry. J Neural Transm. 2002 Dec;109(12):1505-26.

16.  Mischoulon D, Fava M. Role of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in the treatment of depression: a review of the evidence. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Nov;76(5):1158S-61S.

17.  Bell KM, Potkin SG.S-adenosylm-ethionine blood levels in major depression: changes with drug treatment. ActaNeurolScand Suppl. 1994;154:15-8.

18.  UW Medicine, School of medicine. www. Orthop.washington.edu/

19.  AJM 1987 Nov 20;83(5A):89-94.

Corresponding Author

Abdul Faheem Khan

36/03 VB Nagar, LIG Colony Kurla West Mumbai 400070

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.