| dc.description.abstract | There is a wide range of green-lipped mussel (GLM) formulations available on the market, aimed at both human and veterinary patients. These extracts are mostly targeted at patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The efficacy of these different formulations has been extensively studied in vitro and in vivo (in humans, rats, mice, and dogs). So far, research results were inconsistent. In some studies, beneficial effects were observed, although in others the effect of GLM was not significant. Formulations specifically for the equine patient are also available, but research on their efficacy in horses is lacking.
Therefore, this study was done to examine the possible anti-inflammatory properties of GLM in an equine model. Specifically, the effectiveness of GLMax® was studied, a commercially available GLM extract. Using LPS-stimulated and unstimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the influence of GLMax® on the production of inflammatory mediators was measured. The NSAID meloxicam, which is frequently used to treat osteoarthritis pain in horses, was included in the experiment as a positive control.The solvent of GLMax® was included as a negative control.
No consistent anti-inflammatory effects of GLMax® were demonstrated in this study. Results from different experiments were variable. There are indications that high concentrations of GLMax® reducesTNF-α production in the presence of LPS, but this result could not be repeated in the last experiment. In the absence of LPS, GLMax® generally increased TNF-α levels. Results for meloxicam and the solvent solution were irregular. PGE2 levels increased in the presence of high concentrations of GLMax® and LPS. However, the positive control Meloxicam only decreased PGE2 in two experiments. The solvent solution had no significant effect on PGE2 production.
In this study, it can be concluded that GLMax® shows some in vitro anti-inflammatory effect, at least in the case of TNF-α production in the presence of LPS, but TNF-α levels are increased by GLMax® when LPS is absent. PGE2 levels increase in the presence of GLMax® and LPS, but not when only LPS is added and the positive control was not always able to decrease PGE2 levels. There are indications that GLMax® contains components that stimulate inflammatory-mediator production in vitro. | |
