A Comparison between Avocado-Soybean Unsaponifiables and Celecoxib on Serum Levels of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background/objectives: Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) as a marker of cartilage destruction. We aimed to compare the effect of a mixture of avocado-soybean unsaponifiables versus celecoxib on the serum level of COMP in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial and the patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited from those who attended Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. The patients were divided randomly into two groups; Group 1 (n=30) received avocado+soybean mixture (300 mg daily) and group 2 (n=30) received celecoxib (200 mg/day) for 2 months. At the enrollment and then every month up to 2 months, the patients' venous blood samples were collected to measure serum COMP.Results: The total number of patients was 60 (male 38%, female 62%) with a mean age 56±7 years. Before treatment, the serum levels of COMP were 14.5±1.4 unit/liter (U/L) and 13.9±1.4 U/L in avocado+soybean mixture and celecoxib groups, respectively (P=0.052). After the first month the serum levels of COMP were 12.3±1.5 U/L and 12.8±1 U/L in avocado+soybean mixture and celecoxib groups, respectively (P