ition & F tr oo u d N f S o c Bloomer et al., J Nutr Food Sci 2019, 9:1 l i e a n n r c DOI: 10.4172/2155-9600.1000748 e u s o J Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences ISSN: 2155-9600 Research Article Open Access Blood MSM Concentrations Following Escalating Dosages of Oral MSM in Men and Women Richard J Bloomer1*, Matthew Butawan1, Ling Lin2,3, Dejian Ma3 and Charles R Yates3 1Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research, School of Health Studies, University of Memphis, USA 2Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy, USA Abstract Background: Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound used as a dietary supplement. We determined the plasma MSM concentration following four months of oral MSM supplementation at escalating dosages. Methods: 45 men and women (25 ± 5 years) participated in this study. Subjects were assigned to ingest either 1, 2, or 3 grams of MSM daily for 16 weeks. Blood was collected at baseline and following weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 and analyzed for plasma MSM concentration using a LC-MS/MS method. Results: A group (p<0.0001), time (p<0.0001), and group x time (p=0.0005) interaction was noted. Values were higher for the 2 and 3 grams/day group as compared to the 1 gram/day group and were also higher for the 3 grams/day group as compared to the 2 grams/day group (p<0.05). Values at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 were higher as compared to baseline (p<0.05) but no differences were noted between weeks 4-16 (p>0.05). With regards to the interaction, at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16, values were higher for the 3 grams/day group as compared to the 1 gram/ day group (p<0.05). Although a gender effect was noted (p=0.01), with higher overall plasma MSM values in women (1082 ± 1006 µM) as compared to men (845 ± 805 µM), no gender interactions were noted (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both men and women respond to MSM supplementation in a similar manner as related to plasma MSM concentration. A higher dose of supplement results in a greater plasma MSM concentration. Values reach peak concentration within the initial 4 weeks of supplementation and do not increase further during subsequent weeks of treatment. Keywords: MSM; Plasma; Dosing; Concentration; Dietary supplement relation to blood MSM concentrations in men and women. A secondary purpose of this work was to determine if gender differences exist with Introduction regards to blood MSM concentration following oral administration. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a commonly used dietary Materials and Methods supplement for those seeking relief from joint pain and muscle soreness. One brand, OptiMSM®, manufactured by Bergstrom Nutrition, is a Subjects Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) dietary ingredient and typically Healthy, nonsmokers between the ages 18 and 41 years were consumed orally at a dosage between 1 and 6 grams daily [1-3]. It has recruited by word-of-mouth conversations, formal presentations documented success in reducing inflammation associated with knee discussing participation, and recruitment flyers posted on and off osteoarthritis [2-5] and in improving aspects of exercise recovery [6-8]. campus. A total of 31 men and 16 women initially enrolled in this Furthermore, MSM is a recognized treatment for interstitial cystitis [9] study. Two subjects (1 male and 1 female) elected to drop out after and is used as a permeability enhancer for a number of dermatologic the first month of supplementation: one due to an unpredictable future agents [10-12]. These broad applications may be partly attributed to its work schedule and the other due to a reoccurring illness. All subjects antioxidant properties [13-18] and effects [19,20]. were required to: have a body mass less than 102 kg (225 pounds), Our recent work has noted that a daily dosage of 3 grams of MSM not use any sulfur-containing supplement or medication, and not be results in a significant increase in blood MSM after just two weeks allergic to sulfur-containing supplements or medications. While our of treatment, with a continued rise in blood MSM after four weeks of treatment. Specifically, in a sample of 20 men, all baseline MSM samples but one (0.028 mM) were below the limit of quantification for *Corresponding author: Richard J. Bloomer, PhD, Center for Nutraceutical the assay and serum MSM values increased across time to a mean (± and Dietary Supplement Research, School of Health Studies, The University of SD) of 1.68 ± 0.60 mM at week 2 and 1.91 ± 0.81 mM at week 4 [21]. Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA, Tel: 901-678-5638; Fax: 901-678-3591; E-mail: [email protected] What is presently unknown is whether or not a longer time course of treatment with MSM will result in continued elevation in serum Received December 12, 2018; Accepted January 28, 2019; Published February 09, 2019 MSM and/or if a lower dosage of MSM (e.g., 1 or 2 grams daily) could yield a similar blood MSM concentrations if ingested over a Citation: Bloomer RJ, Butawan M, Lin L, Ma D, Yates CR (2019) Blood MSM Concentrations Following Escalating Dosages of Oral MSM in Men and Women. J longer period of time (2, 3, or 4 months versus only 1 month as in Nutr Food Sci 9: 748. doi: 10.4172/2155-9600.1000748 our prior work). Knowing this information will allow for more specific recommendations to be made concerning MSM dosing. Therefore, the Copyright: © 2019 Bloomer RJ, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits primary purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of different unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the dosages of MSM (1, 2, or 3 grams daily) over a four month period in original author and source are credited. J Nutr Food Sci, an open access journal ISSN: 2155-9600 Volume 9 • Issue 1 • 1000748 Citation: Bloomer RJ, Butawan M, Lin L, Ma D, Yates CR (2019) Blood MSM Concentrations Following Escalating Dosages of Oral MSM in Men and Women. J Nutr Food Sci 9: 748. doi: 10.4172/2155-9600.1000748 Page 2 of 5 prior work included only males, females were included in the present samples (subject number-week number): 2-12, 8-4, 9-12, 11-0, 11-4, study due to a lack of previous data related to female absorption of 11-8, 15-4, 21-8, 21-12, 23-4, 23-12, 25-4, 28-0, 28-4, 28-8, 29-16, 30-12, MSM and because sulfur metabolism varies across the menstrual cycle 36-12, 37-12. This accounts for 10 male and 9 female samples of which [22]. Female subjects were not pregnant, not using oral contraceptives, 7, 9, and 3 were ingesting either 1, 2, or 3 grams per day, respectively. and reported regular menstrual cycles (27-33 days) over the prior six Moreover, this includes 2, 6, 3, 7, and 1 samples missing from weeks 0, months. 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, respectively. Subject characteristics are presented in Table 1. No differences of statistical significance were noted between Health history, medication and dietary supplement usage, and groups for any variable (p>0.05). physical activity questionnaires were completed by all subjects and reviewed in detail by an investigator to determine eligibility. Before Diet records indicated several group differences (p<0.05); however, participation, each subject was informed of all procedures, potential there were no differences across time and no group x time interactions risks, and benefits associated with the study through both verbal and (p>0.05). Table 2 presents dietary data and the respective statistical written form. The study procedures were approved by the University differences. of Memphis Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research (# PRO-FY2018-26). A group effect was noted for heart rate (p=0.002), with values higher for the 3 grams/day group as compared to the 1 gram and 2 Subjects were randomly assigned into one of three groups with gram groups (p<0.05). No differences of statistical significance were equal numbers per group (n=15) with 10 men and 5 women per group. noted for systolic or diastolic blood pressure (p>0.05). Data for heart Specifically, subjects were assigned to ingest either 1 gram, 2 grams, rate and blood pressure are presented in Table 3. or 3 grams of MSM daily for 16 weeks. The MSM was administered as OptiMSM® and was provided by Bergstrom Nutrition (Vancouver, With regards to plasma MSM, a group (p<0.0001), time (p<0.0001), WA). Capsules were provided to subjects in unlabeled bottles every and group x time (p=0.0005) interaction was noted. Specifically, values four weeks and subjects were instructed to ingest the capsules in the were higher for the 2 and 3 grams/day group as compared to the 1 gram/ morning hours each day. Subjects returned their capsule bottles to day group and were also higher for the 3 grams/day group as compared investigators at the end of each four week period and the remaining to the 2 grams/day group (p<0.05). Values at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 capsules were counted to determine compliance to intake. Compliance were higher as compared to baseline (p<0.05) but no differences were was calculated as 91% for the 1 gram and 2 gram groups, and 90% for noted between weeks 4-16 (p>0.05).