Arch Intern Med. 2002 Oct 14;162(18):2113-23.

Glucosamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis: a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Pavelka K, Gatterova J, Olejarova M, Machacek S, Giacovelli G, Rovati LC. Department of Medicine and Rheumatology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. pavelka@revma.cz BACKGROUND: Conventional symptomatic treatments for osteoarthritis do not favorably affect disease progression. The aim of this randomized, placebo-controlled trial was to determine whether long-term (3-year) treatment with glucosamine sulfate can modify the progression of joint structure and symptom changes in knee osteoarthritis, as previously suggested. METHODS: Two hundred two patients with knee osteoarthritis (using American College of Rheumatology criteria) were randomized to receive oral glucosamine sulfate, 1500 mg once a day, or placebo. Changes in radiographic minimum joint space width were measured in the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint, and symptoms were assessed using the algo-functional indexes of Lequesne and WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities). RESULTS: Osteoarthritis was of mild to moderate severity at enrollment, with average joint space widths of slightly less than 4 mm and a Lequesne index score of less than 9 points. Progressive joint space narrowing with placebo use was -0.19 mm (95% confidence interval, -0.29 to -0.09 mm) after 3 years. Conversely, there was no average change with glucosamine sulfate use (0.04 mm; 95% confidence interval, -0.06 to 0.14 mm), with a significant difference between groups (P =.001). Fewer patients treated with glucosamine sulfate experienced predefined severe narrowings (>0.5 mm): 5% vs 14% (P =.05). Symptoms improved modestly with placebo use but as much as 20% to 25% with glucosamine sulfate use, with significant final differences on the Lequesne index and the WOMAC total index and pain, function, and stiffness subscales. Safety was good and without differences between groups. CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment with glucosamine sulfate retarded the progression of knee osteoarthritis, possibly determining disease modification. Publication Types:

• Clinical Trial

• Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 12374520 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Mar;52(3):779-86.

Chondroitins 4 and 6 sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. Michel BA, Stucki G, Frey D, De Vathaire F, Vignon E, Bruehlmann P, Uebelhart D. University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. beat.michel@usz.ch OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chondroitin sulfate (CS) is effective in inhibiting cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 300 patients with knee OA were recruited from an outpatient clinic, from private practices, and through advertisements. Study patients were randomly assigned to receive either 800 mg CS or placebo once daily for 2 years. The primary outcome was joint space loss over 2 years as assessed by a posteroanterior radiograph of the knee in flexion; secondary outcomes included pain and function. RESULTS: Of 341 patients screened, 300 entered the study and were included in the intent-to-treat analysis. The 150 patients receiving placebo had progressive joint space narrowing, with a mean +/- SD joint space loss of 0.14 +/- 0.61 mm after 2 years (P = 0.001 compared with baseline). In contrast, there was no change in mean joint space width for the 150 patients receiving CS (0.00 +/- 0.53 mm; P not significant compared with baseline). Similar results were found for minimum joint space narrowing. The differences in loss of joint space between the two groups were significant for mean joint space width (0.14 +/- 0.57 mm; P = 0.04) and for minimum joint space width (0.12 +/- 0.52 mm; P = 0.05). CS was well tolerated, with no significant differences in rates of adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSION: While there was no significant symptomatic effect in this study, long-term treatment with CS may retard radiographic progression in patients with OA of the knee. However, the clinical relevance of the observed structural results has to be further evaluated, and further studies are needed to confirm the structural effects of CS. Publication Types:

• Clinical Trial

• Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 15751094 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

 

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2005 Jul;149(1):51-6.

The efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis: Are these saccharides drugs or nutraceuticals? Simanek V, Kren V, Ulrichova J, Gallo J. Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, Olomouc, 775 15 , Czech Republic. jiri.gallo@volny.cz. This review summarizes recent knowledge on the efficacy of glucosamine (GS) and/or chondroitin sulfate (CS) in the therapy of mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA). OA, the most common joint disease is a significant source of disability, quality of life impairment and a considerable burden to any health care system. In the Czech Republic, glucosamine sulfate (GS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are available both as prescription drugs and as foof supplements. Based on available data both are useful in the earlier stages of OA when combined with other modalities such as weight loss and exercises. They appear to relieve pain and improve range of the joint motion. In addition, they also display mild anti-inflammatory effects. However, controversy still exists over their ability to change significantly the natural history of the osteoarthritic joint. This effect is not easy to demonstrate for any other treatment modalities apart from joint replacement. Monitoring the cure efficacy by X-ray has been recently criticised and hence future techniques are anticipated for this reason. Further, long-term oral administration is required to obtain slightly increased levels of GS and/or CS in human blood. Both reviewed saccharides are well tolerated with negligible adverse reactions. In conclusion, the authors suggest that GS and CS should be classified as food supplements only. PMID: 16170388 [PubMed - in process]

 

 

Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Feb;43(2):187-201.

Glucosamine effects in humans: a review of effects on glucose metabolism, side effects, safety considerations and efficacy. Anderson JW, Nicolosi RJ, Borzelleca JF. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, 1030 South Broadway, Suite 5, Lexington KY 40504-2681, USA. jwandersmd@aol.com Glucosamine is widely used to relieve symptoms from osteoarthritis. Its safety and effects on glucose metabolism are critically evaluated in this review. The LD50 of oral glucosamine in animals is approximately 8000 mg/kg with no adverse effects at 2700 mg/kg for 12 months. Because altered glucose metabolism can be associated with parenteral administration of large doses of glucosamine in animals and with high concentrations in in vitro studies, we critically evaluated the clinical importance of these effects. Oral administration of large doses of glucosamine in animals has no documented effects on glucose metabolism. In vitro studies demonstrating effects of glucosamine on glucose metabolism have used concentrations that are 100-200 times higher than tissue levels expected with oral glucosamine administration in humans. We reviewed clinical trial data for 3063 human subjects. Fasting plasma glucose values decreased slightly for subjects after oral glucosamine for approximately 66 weeks. There were no adverse effects of oral glucosamine administration on blood, urine or fecal parameters. Side effects were significantly less common with glucosamine than placebo or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). In contrast to NSAID, no serious or fatal side effects have been reported for glucosamine. Our critical evaluation indicates that glucosamine is safe under current conditions of use and does not affect glucose metabolism. Publication Types:

• Review

PMID: 15621331 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]