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Oral sodium hyaluronate relieves knee discomfort: A 12-week double-blinded, placebo-controlled study

Kiichi Sugiyama, Mariko Oe, Tomomi Tanaka, Ryosuke Matsuoka, Yumi Takeda, Mamoru Kimura, Koji Odani
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 2023 27(2):64

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 38234616
PubMed Central
PMC10792404
DOI
10.3892/etm.2023.12352
Trial registry
View on ClinicalTrials.gov Registered trial — results not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Competing interests
Five authors were employees of Kewpie Corporation; Kewpie supplied the study capsules.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
ModelHealthy adults with knee discomfort and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1 or lower
Samplen=31 analyzed
Intervention111 mg/day oral sodium hyaluronate versus placebo
Duration12 weeks
EndpointsKnee pain VAS; Knee stiffness VAS; Knee discomfort VAS; Locomotive syndrome risk test; One-leg standing time; Blood markers

What the study showed, in plain terms

This 12-week placebo-controlled trial tested 111 mg/day sodium hyaluronate in adults with knee discomfort but without established moderate-to-severe radiographic osteoarthritis.

Total VAS symptoms for pain, stiffness and discomfort were significantly suppressed in the HA group compared with placebo, while objective mobility and blood-test outcomes did not differ between groups.

The trial is useful because it tested sodium hyaluronate directly and was prospectively registered, but only 31 participants were analyzed and five authors worked for Kewpie Corporation.

Key findings

  • 111 mg/day sodium hyaluronate was studied for 12 weeks.
  • Composite VAS pain, stiffness and discomfort favored HA versus placebo.
  • Objective mobility tests and blood markers did not significantly differ between groups.

What this study can and cannot tell us

  • Only 31 participants were analyzed.
  • Five authors were manufacturer employees and the company supplied the capsules.
  • Participants had knee discomfort rather than established moderate-to-severe OA, so results do not directly establish OA treatment efficacy.

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology