Biological Active Glycoconjugate Products from Red Meat Processing – Phase III

Summary

Background
This program of activity explored the existing relationship between meat processors and the pet food industry to gain access to the veterinary nutraceutical market - in particular use of red meat byproducts as possible next generation nutraceutical for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  
Research
In project P.PSH.0305 a study investigated the effect of an Ovine Glycoprotein MLA008C6 on the development of osteoarthritis in a rat model. It was administered as a supplement in a standard rodent diet at two concentrations (0.1 & 1.0%, w/w). In addition the Precursor form of this test preparation was also supplemented in the same standard diet at the 1.0%. The test preparations were chosen as they had exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in a rat model of acute joint inflammation (carrageenan).
The aim of the next project P.PSH.0606 project was to develop a next generation nutraceutical for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)  from spleens.  The initial target market was a veterinary nutraceutical as time to market is short due to the lack of regulatory hurdles (relative to the human therapeutic market). 
Outcomes
The next step envisaged in this project was to further develop a supporting data package required for regulatory approval and scale up of the process, leading to a joint health nutraceutical for use as an ingredient in animal feed, which may provide greater benefit to animals suffering from osteoarthritis.
The project did not however proceed to this next step, due to a change in research priorities for the research funds and the project was terminated at this point. The results to date confirm the potential to extract bioactive fractions from bovine tissue with relatively simple technology, for use in the pet food industry.