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Alpha collagen is specifically designed to deliver specific ratios of α- chain peptides as building blocks. The targeted cells can process the α- chain peptides to form triple helix collagen, and replenish the collagen in the targeted site. Scientists believe that Alpha collagen can help to deliver specific ratios of peptides to benefit the targeted cells.[1][2]
Alpha collagen is designed to be used as a supplement for osteoarthritis, based on the theory of the different environments of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM of joint cartilage comprises many classes of macromolecules; collagen (type I, II, VI, X collagen fibrils) and proteoglycans. The ratio and the proportion of collagen play an important role in the tensile and compressive strength, as well as the elasticity of the tissue. The content of collagen in cartilage is different between joints and soft tissue structures.[3] For example, cartilage in the knee has a different structure to the ankle. Cartilage, skin, and spinal discs are subject to continuous regeneration during which anabolic and catabolic processes are in equilibrium. Any imbalance in this equilibrium between matrix degeneration and regeneration results in a decrease in the components of the ECM, and leads to loss of chondral damage.[4] Therefore, it is important to tackle the degenerative process before the inflammatory metalloproteases set in by replenishing the collagen in the ECM. Collagen supplementation has been shown in research studies (in vitro and in vivo) to increase the thickness or volume of the cartilage tissue. Collagen can stimulate chondrocytes, which are responsible for the metabolic maintenance of the ECM.[5][6]
Different types of Alpha Collagen
edit- Collagen, type I, alpha 1
- Collagen, type II, alpha 1
- Collagen, type III, alpha 1
- Collagen, type IV, alpha 1
- Collagen, type V, alpha 1
- Collagen, type VI, alpha 1
- Collagen, type VII, alpha 1
- Collagen, type VIII, alpha 1
- Collagen, type IX, alpha 1
- Collagen, type X, alpha 1
And many further types of alpha collagen are identified.
References
edit- ^ Bello, Alfonso E.; Oesser, Steffen (2006-11-01). "Collagen hydrolysate for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders:a review of the literature". Current Medical Research and Opinion. 22 (11): 2221–2232. doi:10.1185/030079906X148373. ISSN 0300-7995. PMID 17076983. S2CID 25170663.
- ^ "The Science of Alpha Collagen". Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
- ^ Treppo, Steven; Koepp, Holger; Quan, Emerson C.; Cole, Ada A.; Kuettner, Klaus E.; Grodzinsky, Alan J. (2000-09-01). "Comparison of biomechanical and biochemical properties of cartilage from human knee and ankle pairs". Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 18 (5): 739–748. doi:10.1002/jor.1100180510. ISSN 1554-527X. PMID 11117295. S2CID 10789286.
- ^ Lu P, Takai K, Weaver VM, Werb Z (December 2015). "Extracellular matrix degradation and remodeling in development and disease". Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 3 (12): a005058. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a005058. PMC 3225943. PMID 21917992.
- ^ Oesser, Steffen; Seifert, Jürgen (2003-02-25). "Stimulation of type II collagen biosynthesis and secretion in bovine chondrocytes cultured with degraded collagen". Cell and Tissue Research. 311 (3): 393–399. doi:10.1007/s00441-003-0702-8. ISSN 0302-766X. PMID 12658447. S2CID 206989610.
- ^ Benya, Paul D.; Padilla, Silvia R.; Nimni, Marcel E. (1978-12-01). "Independent regulation of collagen types by chondrocytes during the loss of differentiated function in culture". Cell. 15 (4): 1313–1321. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(78)90056-9. PMID 729001. S2CID 28011906.