Oral remedy for rheumatoid arthritis and functional food

摘要

PCT No. PCT/JP96/01623 Sec. 371 Date May 18, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date May 18, 1998 PCT Filed Jun. 13, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/41644 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 27, 1996Oral drugs and functional foods of the present invention contain type-II collagen denatured (fragmented) under specific conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been considered to be an autoimmune disease against type-II collagen as an antigen. Since denatured type-II collagen of the invention induces high oral immune tolerance and inhibits immune responses against type-II collagen, it can prevent and treat RA. Particularly, RA can effectively be prevented and treated by simple oral administration of type-II collagen.