Porcine-derived collagen peptides promote re-epithelialisation through activation of integrin signalling.

Chronic non-healing cutaneous wounds represent a major burden to patients and healthcare providers worldwide, emphasising the continued unmet need for credible and efficacious therapeutic approaches for wound healing. We have recently shown the potential for collagen peptides to promote proliferation and migration during cutaneous wound healing. In the present study, we demonstrate that the application of porcine-derived collagen peptides significantly increases keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast expression of integrin α2ß1 and activation of an extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)-focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling cascade during wound closure in vitro. SiRNA-mediated knockdown of integrin ß1 impaired porcine-derived collagen peptide-induced wound closure and activation of ERK-FAK signalling in keratinocytes but did not impair ERK or FAK signalling in dermal fibroblasts, implying the activation of differing downstream signalling pathways. Studies in ex vivo human 3D skin equivalents subjected to punch biopsy-induced wounding confirmed the ability of porcine-derived collagen peptides to promote wound closure by enhancing re-epithelialisation. Collectively, these data highlight the translational and clinical potential for porcine-derived collagen peptides as a viable therapeutic approach to promote re-epithelialisation of superficial cutaneous wounds.

Development of a Mobile App to Monitor the Effectiveness of a Hydrolyzed Cartilage Matrix Supplement on Joint Discomfort: Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: Joint discomfort is a widespread and growing problem in active adults. The rising interest in preventative nutrition has increased the demand for supplements reducing joint discomfort. Protocols assessing the effect of a nutritional intervention on health commonly involve a series of face-to-face meetings between participants and study staff that can weigh on resources, participant availabilities, and even increase dropout rates. Digital tools are increasingly added to protocols to facilitate study conduct, but fully digitally run studies are still scarce. With the increasing interest in real-world studies, the development of health apps for mobile devices to monitor study outcomes is of great importance. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this real-world study was to develop a specific mobile app, Ingredients for Life, to conduct a 100% digital study testing the effectiveness of a hydrolyzed cartilage matrix (HCM) supplement on joint discomfort in a heterogeneous group of healthy, active consumers. METHODS: The Ingredients for Life mobile app using a visual analog scale was specifically developed to monitor the variation in joint pain after exercise by the study participants. A total of 201 healthy and physically active women and men (18-72 years old) with joint pain completed the study over a period of 16 weeks. Participants were randomly allocated to the study groups and did not receive any dietary or lifestyle advice. Each participant indicated one area of joint pain and logged the type and duration of their weekly activities. They received blinded study supplements and took a daily regimen of 1 g of HCM (HCM group) or 1 g of maltodextrin (placebo group) for 12 weeks while weekly logging joint pain scores in the app. This was followed by a 4-week washout period during which participants continued reporting their joint pain scores (until the end of week 16). RESULTS: Joint pain was reduced within 3 weeks of taking a low dosage of HCM (1 g/day), regardless of gender, age group, and activity intensity when compared with the placebo group. After stopping supplementation, joint pain scores gradually increased but still remained significantly lower than those of the placebo group after 4 weeks of washout. The low dropout rate (<6% of participants, mainly in the placebo group) demonstrates that the digital study was well received by the study population. CONCLUSIONS: The digital tool allowed us to measure a heterogeneous group of active adults in a real-world setting (without any lifestyle intervention), thus promoting inclusivity and diversity. With low dropout rates, it demonstrates that mobile apps can generate qualitative, quantifiable, real-world data showcasing supplement effectiveness. The study confirmed that the oral intake of a low dose (1 g/day) of HCM led to a significant reduction of joint pain from 3 weeks after starting supplementation.