題組內容

(2)請針對此文章以中文命出選擇題，此題須包含五個選項，並附上解答。(4 分)
Arthritis is a leading cause of disability, affecting 53 million Americans. While Osteoarthritis was traditionally viewed as simple "wear and tear," recent research reveals it shares a pro-inflammatory autoimmune component with Rheumatoid Arthritis. In both conditions, the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies collagen—the protein that cushions joints—as a foreign invader. This triggers "killer" T-cells to bombard cartilage with toxic chemicals, causing erosion, pain, and stiffness.
The Solution: Undenatured Type II Collagen (UC-II® ) Unlike typical drug treatments that mask symptoms, UC-II® addresses this underlying immune error. Studies show that a small daily dose (10-40 mg) can significantly reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in both arthritic patients and healthy adults experiencing exercise-induced pain.
Mechanism of Action: Oral Tolerance The efficacy of UC-II® relies on a specific biological process called Oral Tolerance. This is the desensitization of the immune response through the digestive tract.
1. Gut Recognition: When UC-II® is ingested, it interacts with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the intestinal tract.
2. Immune Training: The GALT "presents" the collagen fragments to the immune system. Because the collagen is introduced through the gut (as food), the immune system learns to recognize it as a harmless substance rather than an invader.
3. Stopping the Attack:
This process effectively retrains the immune system. It suppresses the production of killer T-cells that were previously attacking the body's own joint cartilage.
This mechanism explains why oral ingestion works: in animal studies, while injecting collagen induces arthritis, feeding small amounts of collagen prevents it. By restoring the immune system's tolerance to collagen, UC-II® halts the inflammatory cycle caused when the protective barrier between blood and cartilage diminishes with age.