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Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint diseases worldwide. The search for effective treatment regimens to reduce symptoms and improve joint function is essential. The purpose was to compare the effectiveness of different regimens of bioactive marine fish concentrate (BMFC) in the treatment of knee OA with oral glucosamine sulfate (GS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS). Materials and methods. The study involved 60 patients with stage II knee OA. The patients were divided into three groups: the first group received 1 ml of BMFC daily (20 injections), the second group received 2 ml every other day (10 injections), and the third group received GS and CS in tablet form. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the WOMAC scale on days 3, 7, 14, and 21. Results. In the group that received BMFC daily, pain decreased by 41.4 % on day 7 and by 58.7 % on day 21. Joint stiffness decreased by 51.9 %, and range of motion increased by 51.3 %. In the group receiving 2 ml of BMFC every other day, pain reduction was 37.1 % on day 7 and 55.7 % on day 21. Joint stiffness decreased by 49.2 %, and range of motion improved by 46.0 % by the end of treatment. Both BMFC groups demonstrated similar efficacy. Patients receiving GS and CS showed less pronounced improvements. Conclusions. Injectable BMFC demonstrated higher efficacy in treating OA compared to oral GS and CS. Both BMFC administration regimens (daily administration of 1 ml and administration of 2 ml every other day) proved effective in reducing pain, alleviating joint stiffness, and improving functional capacity. The 2 ml every-other-day regimen achieved comparable efficacy with fewer injections, enhancing convenience and improving adherence to therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Recent experimental and clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness and safety of serratiopeptidase (SRP) as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, highlighting its potential benefits across various fields of medicine. The purpose was to analyze current literature on the mechanisms of action of SRP as a means of systemic enzyme therapy for low-intensity chronic inflammation and pain syndromes, its clinical applications, and prospects for implementation in general medical practice. Materials and methods. To identify relevant literature sources, a comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Results. According to modern literature data, SRP demonstrates quite powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, reparative, fibrinolytic, and mucolytic properties, and exhibits a certain antimicrobial activity, especially against biofilm-forming bacteria. The combination of this enzyme with traditional antibiotics provides a more effective treatment of infectious processes. SRP has significant potential in the treatment of conditions and diseases associated with the development of low-intensity chronic inflammation and pain syndromes (especially in comorbid ones) due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-edematous, antithrombotic, and analgesic properties associated with the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, 5-lipoxygenase activity, myeloperoxidase and elastase, suppression of the formation and/or release of bradykinin, biogenic amines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, cleavage of bradykinin- related peptides, limitation of oxidative-nitrosative stress. The effectiveness of the enzyme notably increases when it is combined with some prebiotics and/or probiotics. Conclusions. The development of new dosage forms of SRP, along with further preclinical and clinical trials, could lead to new strategies for the prevention and treatment of inflamatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The urgency of pain relief and patient improvement necessitates evaluating the most effective treatment approaches. This includes a comparative analysis of medications with different mechanisms of action, both taken individually and in combination while considering potential drug toxicity and individual patient intolerances. The study purposed to assess the efficacy of a bioactive concentrate derived from marine fish (BCMF), both alone and in combination with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), for the treatment of back pain, in comparison to therapy involving solely oral sodium chondroitin sulfate (CS). Materials and methods. We examined four groups of patients, each comprising 30 male or female subjects with complaints of back pain. Each group was administered one of three medications: NSAIDs in a standard dosage, CS in a daily dose of 1 g (two capsules of 500 mg each), and BCMF in the form of intramuscular injections in a daily dose of 1 ml (0.2 ml per injection). The fourth group of patients received combined treatment, namely, 1 ml of BCMF and NSAIDs in a standard dosage daily. All participants underwent laboratory tests and instrumental examinations. Results. The administration of BCMF, both alone and in combination with NSAIDs resulted in an improved subjective assessment of patients’ psych-oemotional well-being, marked by reduced back pain intensity, enhanced quality of life indices, and diminished levels of anxiety and depression. The combination of BCMF with NSAIDs demonstrated a more pronounced effect on reducing tumor necrosis factor α serum concentration than monotherapy with BCMF. The combination therapy positively impacted the condition of lower extremity vessels as indicated by Doppler ultrasonography. Conclusions. BCMF can be an effective addition to the standard therapy of back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]