New Pre-Clinical Study Shows Mitopure Improves Joint Health

The science team at Timeline Nutrition’s parent company, Amazentis, is at it again with another published study. Their latest pre-clinical study demonstrated how their proprietary Urolithin A (UA) supplement, Mitopure, might impact joint health. The article appeared in the July 2022 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Aging Cell, and it showed that Mitopure was able to improve mitochondrial health, reduce joint cartilage damage and alleviate pain in osteoarthritis.

UA and Joint Health

Urolithin A is a gut microbiome-derived metabolite that has been demonstrated to improve mitochondrial health by optimizing mitophagy. Mitochondrial dysfunction is commonly seen in aging joints and in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). This inspired researchers to investigate whether UA could benefit cartilage cells.

Investigators isolated cartilage cells from human knee joints of both healthy donors and those with diagnosed OA, and both groups of cells were treated with Mitopure (Urolithin A). Mitochondrial health was determined by measurements of mitochondrial respiration (a readout of mitochondrial efficiency), imaging studies and molecular biology assays.

Urolithin A has an impact on Mitochondrial health, which in turn, improves joint health.

Primary Results

The study demonstrated that Mitopure had two key effects on the cartilage of both test groups.

• Mitopure led to significant induction of mitophagy (the recycling of damaged mitochondria).
• Mitopure significantly increased the efficiency of mitochondrial energy production.

In vitro

Secondary Outcomes

After positive results from the first part of the trial, the second phase of the study could be initiated. This time, the researchers focused on the effect of Mitopure supplementation in an experimental model of OA. The model mimics symptoms that people with OA often experience, such as progressive cartilage damage, inflammation, and pain. Once again, significant improvements were seen.

After eight weeks of supplementation with Mitopure, the model showed:

• Significant decreases in joint tissue degradation, as evidenced by analysis of knee joint sections.
• A reduction in leg pain and mild anti-inflammatory response.
• Overall better joint mitochondrial health with higher rates of mitophagy.

In vivo

This study is important and exciting as it shows, for the first time, that Urolithin A can increase mitochondrial health in living joint tissue. It highlights the important role of mitophagy in maintaining healthy functioning joints throughout life.Says Davide D’Amico, first author on the paper and R&D Group Leader with Amazentis.

Why Is This Important?

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and a leading cause of disability worldwide. There is currently no cure for this disease, which causes severe pain and immobility for people living with it. Surgery and prescription medications are currently the main therapies for managing the disease, but they do nothing to slow the progression of the disease.

This study is a big step in understanding the role of Mitopure in supporting joint health and quality of life during aging.

The results of this trial build on the growing evidence supporting the use of Mitopure for age-related conditions.  It follows on the heels of two important studies that revealed how Mitopure benefits muscle health. The Energize and Atlas trials showed that this unique compound was able to improve muscle health in elderly and middle-aged adults. Age-related muscle loss is another contributor to disability in older adults, and Mitopure’s unique ability to support muscle health makes it an important player in aging and longevity medicine.