Specific bioactive collagen peptides (PETAGILE® ) as supplement for horses with osteoarthritis: A two-centred study.

This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of specific bioactive collagen peptides (BCP), known as PETAGILE, on horses suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis. The results showed promising effects in improving symptoms of osteoarthritis after a three month period, with stronger impacts seen after a higher dosage of 50g BCP per day.

Study Design

• The research was conducted as a two-centred pilot study, using data collected from 38 privately owned horses of differing breeds. The purpose was to analyze the application and effectiveness of BCP on horses beleaguered by mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
• In one center, 18 horses were administered either 25g or 50g of BCP orally each day for a period of 12 weeks. In the other centre, a control group of 20 horses were given either a placebo or the 25g dosage of BCP each day.

Procedure and Evaluation

• Veterinary examinations, including flexion tests were conducted at the start, middle and end (6 weeks), and the end (12 weeks) of the study, looking at aspects such as lameness, rotation pain, step length and arc of foot flight during trotting.
• Owners were also asked to complete a weekly questionnaire about the perceived lameness, mobility, and horses’ willingness to run.

Findings

• In the 50g BCP administration group, six out of eight parameters showed a strong effect, with lameness and flexion pain showing significant improvement as early as 6 weeks into the study.
• The 25g BCP group also showed moderate effect (Cohen’s r = 0.3 – 0.5) in six parameters, with three parameters showing improvement after 6 weeks.
• Horse owners reported a strong improvement regarding mobility and willingness to run in both BCP dosage groups, when compared to the placebo treatment. Also noted was a moderate improvement in the development of lameness in both the BCP administration groups.

Conclusions

• The effective application of orally-administered specific BCP in the study horses revealed considerable potential for the treatment of osteoarthritis symptoms.
• The greater dosage of 50g BCP/day demonstrated more impactful effects, suggesting the dose-dependent nature of the treatment.
• Despite these encouraging initial results, the study concludes that more extensive long-term research is needed, preferably with blinded, placebo-controlled studies to further confirm the efficacy of BCP on osteoarthritis in horses.