Comparative study of the therapeutic effects of sturgeon collagen peptide chelate-zinc on osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and medial meniscectomy in obese male rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA), marked by articular cartilage degeneration, is significantly influenced by obesity, a major risk factor that promotes inflammation and oxidative stress. Sturgeon peptide (SP) is recognized for promoting collagen synthesis essential for cartilage health, while zinc possesses anti-inflammatory properties hampered by low bioavailability. Sturgeon peptide-chelated zinc (SPZ) was developed to overcome this limitation to enhance zinc delivery. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of SP, SPZ, and zinc gluconate in a rat model of obesity-induced OA (OBOA), established via a high-fat diet. Following induction, rats were administered the test compounds orally for six weeks. Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokine levels, and markers of oxidative stress and cartilage health were evaluated. Results indicated that the OBOA model successfully induced increased adipokines, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cartilage degradation. All treatment groups (SP, SPZ, zinc gluconate) showed improved adipokine levels and protection against oxidative stress. SP specifically stimulated type II collagen production, contributing to cartilage recovery. However, SPZ, particularly at 150 mg/kg (SPZ2), demonstrated significantly superior protective effects compared to SP or zinc gluconate alone. This enhanced efficacy is attributed to the improved bioavailability of chelated zinc. In conclusion, SPZ2 exhibits substantial protective and recovery properties in OA cartilage, positioning it as a highly promising therapeutic candidate for managing osteoarthritis, potentially offering a novel approach for future treatments.