1. Introduction
OA, inflammation, osteoarthritis, arthritis, pain, joints
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, INFLAMMATION, JOINT DISEASES, OSTEOARTHRITIS, ARTHRITIS, DISEASES
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a food ingredient present in small amounts in many foods, and its anti-inflammatory effects have been reported. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral consumption of MSM on mild pain of the knee joint in healthy Japanese participants. A total of 88 participants were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to MSM consumption (Sulfur composes 34% of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a food ingredient [Discomfort in joints is caused by local destruction and inflammation of the joint(s), and the acute phase of discomfort often becomes a chronic state and may progress to more severe diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis. To prevent the progression of joint problems, daily dietary care is essential. Thus, many dietary components that maintain a normal healthy state of joints have been investigated [MSM has been suggested as a supplement for the prevention of OA due to its pleiotropic effects that help in joint protection. MSM has been shown to promote osteoblast differentiation via the Jak2/STAT5b pathway [The chondrogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of MSM and the incorporation of the ingested MSM-derived sulfur into the cartilage suggest an application of MSM for the prevention or treatment of inflammation-related joint diseases. In animal models, therapeutic effects of MSM on experimental arthritis have been reported, i.e., the score of arthritis in the models was improved in the MSM treatment groups [