4. Discussion
Depressive, comorbidity, OA, inflammation, morning pain, KOA, pain, knee pain
OBESE, INFLAMMATION, DEGENERATIVE, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, OXIDATIVE STRESS
This is the first clinical trial of MSM oral consumption in healthy participants who felt mild pain in the knee joint rather than patients with OA. The JKOM total scores at 12 weeks after test sample consumption in the MSM group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group. The health conditions of the JKOM of the MSM group at 12 weeks were also significantly lower than those of the placebo group. Decreases in the JKOM total scores and the health condition scores indicated improvement of the knee and systemic health conditions of the participants by MSM consumption. The MSM group showed significant improvements compared to placebo at 12 weeks, in terms of morning pain, pain while standing, and health condition in the JKOM questionnaires. These results indicate that MSM alleviates wake-up pain and standing pain and improves general health and quality of life in healthy individuals with knee mild pain in daily life.OA is common in the hands, knees, hips, and spine and manifests as inflammation, stiffness, and loss of range of motion [The JKOM score is a questionnaire on the QOL of KOA based on Japanese lifestyle [The pathophysiology of KOA includes inflammatory and degenerative processes associated with oxidative stress. Mild inflammation may be caused by aging, which may contribute to local inflammation and affect the knee joint [As for changes in serum cytokine levels, studies have investigated the effects of MSM on serum cytokines in obese individuals [In recent years, it has been suggested that there is a gender difference in the association of knee pain inflammatory cytokines [Depressive symptoms are a major comorbidity in elderly OA patients. Depressive symptoms are known to be a factor associated with both knee pain and physical function, especially self-reported physical function, in KOA patients [This study had several limitations. JKOM is associated with WOMAC and SF-36 and is a scientifically valid questionnaire to assess QOL related to KOA [