Evaluation of Green Lipped Mussel/Krill Oil (EAB-277), Biota orientalis Extract, and an NSAID for Canine Hip Osteoarthritis Pain
Authors:
Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of chronic pain in dogs, yet limited high-quality evidence exists to guide veterinarians on the comparative efficacy of widely marketed joint supplements.
Objective: To compare the analgesic efficacy of a green-lipped mussel plus krill oil extract (EAB-277, Antinol® Rapid), a Biota orientalis extract (4CYTE™ Epiitalis® Forte), the NSAID meloxicam, and a placebo in dogs with hip OA-associated pain.
Methods: In a prospective, block-randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 101 client-owned dogs with hip OA (one limb more affected than the other) were assigned to one of four groups: EAB-277 (n=26), 4CYTE™ (n=25), meloxicam (n=24), or placebo (n=26). Peak vertical force (PVF) via force-plate gait analysis, orthopedic assessment scores (OAS), and hematology/serum chemistry were evaluated at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 weeks.
Results: By week 6, both the EAB-277 and meloxicam groups showed statistically significant increases in PVF from baseline (mean change ≈3.8% and ≈4.9% of body weight, respectively), while changes in the 4CYTE™ and placebo groups remained non-significant and were not different from each other. Responder rates (≥2% PVF improvement) at week 6 were 69% for EAB-277, 79% for meloxicam, 40% for 4CYTE™, and 8% for placebo. Overall OAS scores at week 6 were significantly lower (indicating less impairment) in the EAB-277, meloxicam, and 4CYTE™ groups compared with placebo. No adverse events or clinically significant hematologic/biochemical abnormalities were observed.
Conclusion: EAB-277 produced objectively measurable improvements in limb function comparable in magnitude to the NSAID meloxicam, while the Biota orientalis-based supplement (4CYTE™) did not differ from placebo on the primary objective outcome measure, despite some benefit on subjective assessment scores.
Key Result
Figure. Mean (±SD) change from baseline in peak vertical force (PVF) of the index limb over 6 weeks. EAB-277 and meloxicam produced significantly greater improvement in limb use than 4CYTE™ and placebo. Differing superscript letters (a, b) indicate significant between-group differences at each time point. Reproduced from Kampa et al. (2024), Front Vet Sci, distributed under CC BY 4.0.
Source: Kampa N, et al. Front Vet Sci. 2024;11:1464549. doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1464549