Astaxanthin for Management of Inflammation in Knee Osteoarthritis

Effect of Astaxanthin for Pain, Function, and Inflammation in Patients With Advanced Osteoarthritis Awaiting Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Over 30 million Americans are currently affected by osteoarthritis (OA), with prevalence expected to increase 40% by 2025 as a result of the aging population and obesity epidemic. Specifically, symptomatic knee OA is a leading cause of disability. Although originally classified as non-inflammatory arthritis, recent studies suggest that a relationship exists between joint inflammation and OA. Specifically, the complex interaction between sites of local tissue damage and immune cells leads to a state of chronic joint inflammation which may play a key role in disease pathogenesis. The evidence suggesting a role of inflammation in disease progression makes anti-inflammatory agents ideal candidates for symptom management. Astaxanthin, a keto-carotenoid present in many aquatic animals, including salmon, shrimp, and lobster, is an FDA-approved nutraceutical that has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties coupled with remarkable safety and tolerability. This prospective, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study will evaluate the effect of astaxanthin in reducing inflammation, controlling pain, and improving physical function in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis awaiting total joint replacement surgery. Levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines will be measured following the completion of a daily oral regimen of astaxanthin vs. placebo. Additionally, patient-reported outcome measurements assessing physical function and pain interference will be obtained prior to and following completion of treatment allowing for a comparison between treatment groups. Study outcomes will provide evidence to support astaxanthin supplementation as a cost-effective, added strategy for symptom management in patients with advanced osteoarthritis.

Study Overview

• Status: Terminated
• Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Knee; Osteoarthritis Knees Both; Joint Inflammation
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Placebo; Drug: Astaxanthin

Detailed Description

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder that affects a significant portion of the population. Over 30 million Americans are currently affected by the disease, with prevalence expected to increase 40% by 2025 as a result of the aging population and obesity epidemic. Specifically, symptomatic knee OA is a leading cause of disability, occurring in 10% of men and 13% of women over the age of 60. Patients with symptomatic OA often experience pain, swelling, and stiffness of the knee resulting in a decrease in physical mobility which can have a drastic impact on quality of life. In addition to the significant impact on affected individuals, OA is associated with an enormous economic burden estimated at $136.8 billion annually in the US, surpassing costs of tobacco-related health effects, diabetes, and cancer.

Although originally classified as non-inflammatory arthritis, recent studies suggest that a relationship exists between joint inflammation and OA. Specifically, the complex interaction between sites of local tissue damage and immune cells leads to a state of chronic joint inflammation which may play a key role in disease pathogenesis. The evidence suggesting a role of inflammation in disease progression makes anti-inflammatory agents ideal candidates for symptom management. Astaxanthin is a keto-carotenoid present in many aquatic animals, including salmon, shrimp, and lobster, that has demonstrated heightened antioxidant activity and the ability to suppress inflammation. Early evidence suggests that astaxanthin may protect against osteoarthritis in vivo, illustrating its potential as a therapeutic supplement for patients with OA. However, studies illustrating these effects in humans have yet to be conducted.

This prospective, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study will evaluate the effect of astaxanthin in reducing inflammation, controlling pain, and improving physical function in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis awaiting total joint replacement surgery. Levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines will be measured following the completion of a daily oral regimen of astaxanthin vs. placebo. Additionally, patient-reported outcome measurements assessing physical function and pain interference will be obtained prior to and following completion of treatment allowing for a comparison between treatment groups. Study outcomes will provide evidence to support astaxanthin supplementation as a cost-effective, added strategy for symptom management in patients with advanced osteoarthritis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 16
• Phase: Phase 2; Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • South Carolina
    • Columbia, South Carolina, United States, 29203
      • Prisma Health

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 99 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 18 years of age
• Radiographic evidence of advanced knee osteoarthritis
• Knee pain
• Scheduled to undergo a total knee replacement

Exclusion Criteria:

• < 18 years of age
• Unable to provide written consent
• Known allergy to fish or astaxanthin
• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
• Received a corticosteroid injection within 3 months of initiating treatment with astaxanthin or placebo
• Currently taking immunosuppressants
• Patients with known autoimmune etiology for arthritis (e.g. Rheumatoid or Psoriatic arthritis)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Control: Placebo Group; Patients will receive a 6 week daily oral supply of placebo, identical in appearance to the astaxanthin supplement.	Other: Placebo; Oral placebo identical to astaxanthin supplement
Active Comparator: Experimental: Astaxanthin Supplementation Group; Patients will receive a 6 week daily oral supply of 12 mg astaxanthin supplement.	Drug: Astaxanthin; 12 mg oral astaxanthin supplement; Other Names: Astaxanthine; Astaxantina; Dihydroxy-3,3' dioxo-4,4' bêta-carotène

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Effect of Astaxanthin on Inflammatory Synovial Markers in Patients With Osteoarthritis Who Are Scheduled to Undergo a Total Knee Replacement Surgery.	We will address this by conducting a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which 160 patients who have been diagnosed with advanced osteoarthritis of the knee and are scheduled to undergo a total knee replacement will randomly receive a 6-week oral daily course of either astaxanthin (12 mg) or placebo prior to surgery. Levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines within the intra-articular synovial fluid at the time of surgery will be quantified using a bioplex 23-cytokine and chemokine assay kit in post-treatment synovial fluid samples from patients receiving either astaxanthin or placebo.	6 Weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Effect of Astaxanthin on PROMIS Physical Function Scores in Patients With Osteoarthritis Who Are Scheduled to Undergo a Total Knee Replacement Surgery.	Patient reported outcomes will be collected utilizing the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Physical Function assessment tool. Patients receiving either astaxanthin or placebo will complete PROMIS Physical Function assessment prior to starting the oral treatment regimen and just prior to surgery, following the completion of the oral treatment regimen. As the PROMIS tool has national normative data for age, sex, and condition, collection of patient-reported outcomes in this manner will allow for comparison between patients receiving astaxanthin and patients receiving the placebo as well as the general population. An increased PROMIS Physical Function score indicates an improvement in patient-reported physical function. The scale range is 0 to 100 with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. Higher values are associated with more or higher function. A score of 60 is one SD better than average. A score of 40 is one SD worse than average.	6 Weeks
Effect of Astaxanthin on PROMIS Pain Interference Scores in Patients With Osteoarthritis Who Are Scheduled to Undergo a Total Knee Replacement Surgery.	Patient reported outcomes will be collected utilizing the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Pain Interference assessment tool. Patients receiving either astaxanthin or placebo will complete the PROMIS Pain Interference assessment prior to starting the oral treatment regimen and just prior to surgery, following the completion of the oral treatment regimen. As the PROMIS tool has national normative data for age, sex, and condition, collection of patient-reported outcomes in this manner will allow for comparison between patients receiving astaxanthin and patients receiving the placebo as well as the general population. A decreased PROMIS Pain Interference score indicates an improvement in patient-reported pain interference. The scale range is 0 to 100 with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. Higher values are associated with more or higher pain. A score of 60 is one SD worse pain than average. A score of 40 is one SD better pain than average.	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Prisma Health-Midlands
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Daniel Del Gaizo, MD, Prisma Health-Midlands

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Sun K, Luo J, Jing X, Guo J, Yao X, Hao X, Ye Y, Liang S, Lin J, Wang G, Guo F. Astaxanthin protects against osteoarthritis via Nrf2: a guardian of cartilage homeostasis. Aging (Albany NY). 2019 Nov 26;11(22):10513-10531. doi: 10.18632/aging.102474. Epub 2019 Nov 26.
• Farr Ii J, Miller LE, Block JE. Quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a commentary on nonsurgical and surgical treatments. Open Orthop J. 2013 Nov 13;7:619-23. doi: 10.2174/1874325001307010619. eCollection 2013.
• Vitaloni M, Botto-van Bemden A, Sciortino Contreras RM, Scotton D, Bibas M, Quintero M, Monfort J, Carne X, de Abajo F, Oswald E, Cabot MR, Matucci M, du Souich P, Moller I, Eakin G, Verges J. Global management of patients with knee osteoarthritis begins with quality of life assessment: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2019 Oct 27;20(1):493. doi: 10.1186/s12891-019-2895-3.
• Sokolove J, Lepus CM. Role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: latest findings and interpretations. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2013 Apr;5(2):77-94. doi: 10.1177/1759720X12467868.
• Scanzello CR, Goldring SR. The role of synovitis in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. Bone. 2012 Aug;51(2):249-57. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2012.02.012. Epub 2012 Feb 22.
• Higuera-Ciapara I, Felix-Valenzuela L, Goycoolea FM. Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applications. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(2):185-96. doi: 10.1080/10408690590957188.
• Park JS, Chyun JH, Kim YK, Line LL, Chew BP. Astaxanthin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation and enhanced immune response in humans. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2010 Mar 5;7:18. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-7-18.
• Zhang Y, Jordan JM. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis. Clin Geriatr Med. 2010 Aug;26(3):355-69. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2010.03.001.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 2, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 14, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): November 14, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 28, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 16, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): December 1, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): May 20, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 15, 2025
• Last Verified: March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Joint Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Arthritis; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Inflammation; Provitamins; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Micronutrients; Vitamins; Beta Carotene
• Other Study ID Numbers: Pro00113612

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: Yes