Marine Collagen Hydrolysates Downregulate the Synthesis of Pro-Catabolic and Pro-Inflammatory Markers of Osteoarthritis and Favor Collagen Production and Metabolic Activity in Equine Articular Chondrocyte Organoids

Abstract

Articular cartilage experiences mechanical constraints leading to chondral defects that inevitably evolve into osteoarthritis (OA), because cartilage has poor intrinsic repair capacity. Although OA is an incurable degenerative disease, several dietary supplements may help improve OA outcomes. In this study, we investigated the effects of Dielen® hydrolyzed fish collagens from skin (Promerim®30 and Promerim®60) and cartilage (Promerim®40) to analyze the phenotype and metabolism of equine articular chondrocytes (eACs) cultured as organoids. Here, our findings demonstrated the absence of cytotoxicity and the beneficial effect of Promerim® hydrolysates on eAC metabolic activity under physioxia; further, Promerim®30 also delayed eAC senescence. To assess the effect of Promerim® in a cartilage-like tissue, eACs were cultured as organoids under hypoxia with or without BMP-2 and/or IL-1β. In some instances, alone or in the presence of IL-1β, Promerim®30 and Promerim®40 increased protein synthesis of collagen types I and II, while decreasing transcript levels of proteases involved in OA pathogenesis, namely Htra1, and the metalloproteinases Mmp1-3, Adamts5, and Cox2. Both Promerim® hydrolysates also decreased Htra1 protein amounts, particularly in inflammatory conditions. The effect of Promerim® was enhanced under inflammatory conditions, possibly due to a decrease in the synthesis of inflammation-associated molecules. Finally, Promerim® favored in vitro repair in a scratch wound assay through an increase in cell proliferation or migration. Altogether, these data show that Promerim®30 and 40 hold promise as dietary supplements to relieve OA symptoms in patients and to delay OA progression.