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PCSO-524 is a patented marine lipid extract containing 30 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) including the essential omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).^[1] It is extracted from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel (perna canaliculus). PCSO-524 is found in Omega XL, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for human consumption, and Mussel Dog, an omega-3 fatty acid supplement for dogs, marketed by Great Health Works Inc. in Hollywood, Florida, to promote joint health and ease inflammation.

History [link]

Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly found in cold-water fatty fish such as salmon.^[2] They are considered "essential" fats because the body needs them but can’t make them; they must come from a dietary source or through supplementation.^[3]

While it has been documented that Omega-3 fats are "essential",^[4] there is no official US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for Omega-3s in general, or its singular components, DHA and EPA,^[5] however, the FDA recommends that consumers not exceed more than a total of 3 grams per day of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, with no more than 2 grams per day from a dietary supplement.^[6]

Clinical studies have shown that both PCSO-524 as well as standardized fish oil (EPA 18% and DHA 12%) have anti-inflammatory activity that can contribute to reduced pain and improved joint mobility for patients who suffer from joint pain and common inflammatory conditions.^[7]

PCSO-524 is a natural inhibitor of Lipoxygenase (LOX), an enzyme involved in the process of inflammation^[8] the activity of which has been referenced in clinical trials, with no adverse effects. The studies that are listed in the references have shown an absence of side effects.

Scientific studies [link]

A study conducted at the Clinic of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Academic Clinical Hospital, Wroclaw, Poland was designed to compare, from baseline, pain relief and changes in the indicators of quality of life and safety for patients suffering from chronic joint pain taking PCSO-524 compared with patients taking standardized fish oil (EPA 18% and DHA 12%).

The researchers judged the efficacy of PCSO-524 positively with regard to pain relief within the first four weeks and considered it to be beneficial for their quality of life. Subjects treated with PCSO-524 continued to measure further reductions in pain during the 12-week period of the study. The benefits of standardized fish oil (EPA 18% and DHA 12%), administered at the same dosage as PCSO-524, were not evident during the 12-week trial. The researchers concluded that, given the potential side effects, large dosages needed and long duration required for fish oil, practitioners could consider PCSO-524 as an alternative medication for those who suffer from chronic joint pain.^[1]

German researchers noted a positive effect for all investigated parameters after a 12 week drug monitoring study evaluating the effects of PCSO-524 omega-3-complex on 50 adult men and women suffering from inflammatory joint pain. 34 of the 50 patients required medicinal treatment before and during the study. Upon completion of the study, for 21 of the 34 subjects (64 %) current drug therapy could be reduced or terminated. 13 of those did not require further therapy. At the end of the treatment period, 38% of all subjects were regarded as being free from disorders and the number of subjects suffering from severe pain was decreased from 60% (at baseline) to 25%(at completion of the trial). ^[2]

A trial conducted in China on 54 patients with symptomatic inflammation of the knee and hip were treated with PCSO-524omega-3-complex for eight weeks. After the treatment, researchers noted improvement in the signs and symptoms of inflammation as determined by all efficacy measures. 80% of patients experienced pain relief and improvement of joint function. There was no proven adverse effect during this clinical trial prompting the researchers to conclude that PCSO-524 showed promise as an anti-inflammatory. The researchers concluded that PCSO-524 omega-3-complex relieved the signs and symptoms associated with inflammatory activity without adverse effect. ^[3]

In Hong Kong, researchers used an adjuvant-induced joint pain rat model to investigate the effects of PCSO-524 omega-3-complex on pain. They confirmed the ability of PCSO-524 to control pain at the initial phase of its administration; with similar efficacy to that observed with Naproxen. The pain scores increased again in the group of rats treated with PCSO-524 after day 9–14. The Naproxen treated rats remained pain-free only while treated. However, rats treated with PCSO-524 were apparently cured after 1 year. This study confirmed the anti-inflammatory efficacy of PCSO-524 omega-3-complex, its initial analgesic effect, its tolerance and its long-term healing properties. ^[4]

Respiratory health is mediated, at least in part, by leukotrienes and other lipid mediators. Research carried out in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the University of Adelaide in Australia and the Charite University in Berlin, Germany has demonstrated that PCSO-524 is a modulator of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, thus its ability to reduce the effects of persistent inflammation that one may find in various allergic reactions and other inflammatory disorders including inflammation of the respiratory airways.

Experimental studies have shown that PCSO-524 is effective in inhibiting 5′-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways responsible for production of eicosanoids, including leukotrienes and prostaglandins. A study carried out at Saint Petersburg State Medical University, was designed to assess the effect of PCSO-524 on symptoms, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in expired breath condensate as a marker of airway inflammation in a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The authors conclude that PCSO-524 may be effective in promoting respiratory health, noting that there was a decrease in daytime wheeze, the concentration of exhaled H2O2 and an increase in morning PEF in the PCSO-524 group compared to the placebo group, and there were no significant side effects. ^[5]

References [link]

Notes [link]

1. ^ JacekSzechinski, MarekZawadzki. Measurement of pain relief resulting from administration of Perna Canaliculus Lipid complex PCSO-524™ compared with fish oil for treating patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee and/or the hip joints.. Reumatologia, 2011; 49, 4: p. 244-252.
2. ^ Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.1 Hans-Joachim Graubaum, Ph.D. 1 Knuth Hansen, M.D.2 Barbara Grube, M.D. 2 1 PhytoPharm Research, a unit of analyze & realize, Berlin (Germany) 2 Private Surgery Kurfuerstendamm, Berlin (Germany)
3. ^ Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Patented Extract from New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (PernaCanaliculus) (PCSO-524™) in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee: Multicenter Clinical Trial with a 2 Months Treatment PeriodSe Haeng Cho M.D.*, Young Bok Jung Hyung, Bin Park Dong ,Chunl Lee Jung Hwan Son M.D.1. M.D. 3 M.D. 5, M.D, 7, Sang Chul Sung Ki Yong ByeunEunKyoo Song M.D. 2, M.D. 4, M.D. 6,Yonsei Medical Clinic., 2, Seoul National University, 4, Chungnam University 6, Chonnam University1, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chung Ang University., 3, Kyung Sang University,5, Youngnam University 7, Kosin University
4. ^ Pain Controlling and Cytokine-regulating Effects of PCSO-524™, a Lipid Extract of Pernacanaliculus, in a Rat Adjuvant-induced Arthritis Model Measurement of pain relief resulting from administration of Perna Canaliculus Lipid complex PCSO-524™ compared with fish oil for treating patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee and/or the hip joints.Chi-Ho Lee1, John Hon-Kei Lum1, Curtise Kin-Cheung Ng2, Janice McKay2, Yoki Kwok-Chu Butt1, Man-Sau Wong1 and Samuel Chun-Lap Lo1 1State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology, Shenzhen and Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology and 2Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
5. ^ Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a randomised clinical trial A. Emelyanov1, G. Fedoseev1, O. Krasnoschekova1, A. Abulimity1, T. Trendeleva1and P.J. Barnes2 Author Affiliations 1Hospital Therapeutic Clinic, Pavlov Medical University, St-Petersburg, Russia. 2Dept of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, UK A. Emelyanov, Hospital Therapeutic Clinic, Pavlov Medical University, 6/8 L.TolstogoStr, St-Petersburg, 197089, Russia. Fax: 7 8122342749. E-mail: emelav@netscape.net

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