Glucosamine Research (Glucosamine supplements)

Background to Glucosamine

• Glucosamine is found naturally in the body.
• Glucosamine is normally synthesized from glucose (blood sugar).
• Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage.
• Glucosamine stimulates the formation and repair of cartilage. The ability to synthesize and maintain cartilage declines with age.
• Glucosamine supplementation has been shown to relieve joint pain in osteoarthritis by exerting a protective effect on joint tissue and in supporting cartilage repair. (recommended dose 1500mg per day)
• Glucosamine is a natural sugar produced by the body and found in certain foods (especially ground up chicken bone!).
• Glucosamine stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, two structural materials needed for healthy joints.
• Glucosamine is also a component of mucins, slippery materials that are part of mucous secretions, and cell coat materials.

Glucosamine Sulphate may help symptoms of osteoarthritis in knees

This was a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial, in which 212 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned 1500mg of glucosamine sulphate or placebo once daily for 3 years.

Results showed that the group given the 1500mg of Glucosamine showed little or no deterioration in their joints, whilst the other group on the placebo showed the expected deterioration of an osteoarthritis sufferer.

Those on the glucosamine sulphate showed improvement in regrowth of cartilage, whilst those on the placebo showed a marked wasting of cartilage.

Lancet 2001; 357:251-56

(Patients received 1500mg of Glucosamine. This is usually the required dose.)

Glucosamine Sulphate in Osteoarthritis - A Systematic Review

Glucosamine Sulphate has been the subject of many studies carried out in relation to arthritis. This particular study reviewed other studies and clinical trials that have taken place on Glucosamine, as well as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and placebo.

In every study, Glucosamine was shown to be more effective in all cases than placebo, and at least as effective or more effective than Ibuprofen. (Ibuproven carries risks such as Leaky Gut when used for longer periods of time.)

Overall, Glucosamine has been shown to be an effective therapeutic nutraceutical for certain kinds and locations of arthritis, with almost no side effects.

Towheed, T.E., American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting, November 10, 1998. Abstract:995. Poster Session D: Osteoarthritis: Clinical Trials.

Glucosamine Slows Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis

This was a randomised, placebo-controlled trial. Its aim was to determine whether a 3-year treatment with glucosamine sulphate could modify the progression of joint space width and symptoms changes in osteoarthritis of the knee, as had been previously suggested.

The American College of Rheumatology selected 202 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. They were randomised to receive oral glucosamine sulphate, 1500mg once a day, or placebo. Changes in minimum joint space width of the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint were measured radiographically, and symptoms were assessed.

Results showed that the joint space narrowing continued with the use of the placebo, but was stopped with the use of the glucosamine sulphate. The glucosamine sulphate also produced a greater alleviation of pain.

As a long term treatment, glucosamine sulphate was effective at reducing pain of osteoarthritis and stopping the joint space narrowing. There were no side effects reported.

Pavelka K. et al, Glucosamine Sulphate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis - Department of Medicine and Rheumatology, Charles University, Prague: Archives of Internal Medicine. 162(18):2113-23, 2002 Oct 14

Oral glucosamine sulphate in the management of arthrosis: report on a multi-centre open investigation in Portugal

252 doctors in Portugal carried out an open study to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of oral glucosamine sulphate for arthritis. A total of 1208 patients were given 3 divided doses of 500mg (1500mg per day) over an average period of 30 days.

Results showed that the symptoms of pain at rest, on standing and on exercise, and limited active and passive movements, improved steadily throughout the treatment period. The improvement obtained lasted for a period of 6 to 12 weeks after the end of treatment.

59% of patients were rated by doctors as having 'good' benefit, and a further 36% showed 'sufficient' benefit. These results were significantly better than those obtained with previous treatments (except for injectable glucosamine) in the same patients.

Oral glucosamine was fully tolerated by 86% of patients, which was significantly higher proportion than other previous treatments. Possible side effects were related to pre-existing gastrointestinal disorders and related treatments.

Tapadinhas JI, et al. Oral glucosamine sulphate in the management of arthrosis: report in a multi-centre open investigation in Portugal. Pharmatherapeutica 3:157-168: 1982.

Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthrosis of the knee in out-patients.

A double-blind trial was carried out in 40 out-patients with osteoarthrosis of the knee, to compare the efficacy and tolerance of oral treatment with 1500mg glucosamine sulphate or 1200mg ibuprofen daily, over a period of 8 weeks.

Pain scores decreased more quickly during the first 2 weeks in the ibuprofen than in the glucosamine treatment group. However, the reduction in pain scores in those patients receiving glucosamine was continued throughout the trial period, and the difference between the two groups turned significantly in favour of glucosamine at week 8.

Tolerance was satisfactory with both treatments, with only minor complaints being reported by 2 patients on glucosamine compared with 5 patients on ibuprofen.

Vaz AL. Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthrosis of the knee in out-patients. Curr Med Res Opin 8:145-149; 1982.

The influence of glucosamine on the antiexudative effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

This study showed that when glucosamine is added to treatment protocol, it is possible to decrease the effective doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (voltaren, indomethacin and piroxicam) by 2-2.7 times.

The influence of glucosamine on the antiexudative effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Zupanets et al. Farmakol Toksikol (USSR) 54:61-3; 1991.

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