Supplement research


Glucosamine

What is Glucosamine?

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring aminomonosaccaharide (a combination of an amino acid (glutamine) and  a sugar (glucose)). It is produced in the body by the addition of an amino group to glucose. It is a component of almost all human tissue, including cartilage. Glucosamine is the basic building block for the biosynthesis of glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans which are important constituents of cartilage.

Proposed Benefits of Glucosamine

Glucosamine is purported to improve joint health. It is used as an agent to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is believed that glucosamine may be effective at stimulating cartilage synthesis which may repair joint damage and slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

Mechanism of Action of Glucosamine

In vitro studies (vitro = a biological process occurring outside the body in an artificial environment as part of an experiment) suggest that glucosamine stimulates cartilage cells to synthesise glycoaminoglycans and proteoglycans (the building blocks for cartilage) which may repair joint damage.

Glucosamine may also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Research on Glucosamine

In vitro studies suggest that glucosamine has a favourable effect on cartilage, particularly stimulating cartilage cells to synthesise glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans (1,2). Two randomised clinical trials provide evidence of a structural efficacy of glucoamine on minimum joint space narrowing (3,4). Results from these two studies suggest that glucosamine supplementation of 1500mg per day over 3 years results in a potential minimal joint space narrowing difference between placebo and the active group of 0.27mm (5).

There have been many randomised clinical trials which have investigated the effects of glucosamine supplementation with those with osteoarthritis. On the whole these studies have tended to slow progressive and gradual reduction of joint pain and tenderness (3,4,6-12), improve mobility (6,7,9,13), and appears to be superior to placebo and as effective as non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (10,14).

A recent meta-analysis (a statistical combination of results from a number of clinical trials) showed that glucosamine supplementation had significant beneficial effects on joint space narrowing, pain scores and mobility in those with osteoarthritis of the knee (5).

Rating of Efficacy for Glucosamine

Glucosamine appears to work very effectively on the structure and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

9/10

 

References

  1. Bassleer C., Henrotin Y. and Franchimont P. In-vitro evaluation of drugs proposed as chondroprotective agents. Int J Tissue React. 14:231-241, 1992.
  2. Vidal Y., Plana R.R., Bizzarri D. and Rovati A.L. Articular pharmacology I. In vitro studies on glucosamine and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Pharmacol Res Commun. 10:557-569, 1978.
  3. Pavelka K., Gatterova J., LOlejarova M., Machacek S., Giacovelli G. and Rovati L.C. Glucosamine sulfate delays progrssion of knee osteoarthritis: a 3 year, ransomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Arch Int Med. 162:2113-2123, 2002.
  4. Reginster J.Y., Derioisy R. and Rovati L.C. Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomized. placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet. 357:251-256, 2001.
  5. Richy F., Bruyere O., Ethgen O., Cucherat M., Henrotin Y. and Reginster J.-Y. Structural and symptomatic efficacy of glucosamine an dchondroitin in knee osteoarthritis. Arch Intern Med. 163:1514-1522, 2003.
  6. Drovanti A., Bignamini A.A. and Rovati A.L. Therapeutic activity of oral glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthrosis: a placebo-controlled double-blind investigation. Clin Ther. 3:260-272, 1980.
  7. Houpt J.B., McMillan R., Wein C. and Paget-Dellio S.D. Effect of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of pain of osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rhuemat. 26:2423-2430, 1999.
  8. Leffler C.T., Philippi A.F., Leffler S.G., Mosure J.C. and Kim P.D. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese ascorbate for degenerative joint disease of the knee or low back : a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Military Med. 162:85-91, 1999.
  9. Pujalte J.M., Llavore E.P. and Ylescupidez F.R. Double-blind clinical evaluation of oral glucosamine sulphate in the basic treatment of osteoarthritis. Curr Med Res Opin. 7:10-114, 1980.
  10. Qui G.X., Gao S.N., Giacovelli G., Rovati L. and Setnikar I. Efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate versus ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Arzneimittel-Forschung. 48:469-474, 1998.
  11. Rovati L.C. The clinical profile of glucosamine sulfate as a selective symptom modifying drug in osteoarthritis: current data and perspectives. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 5:72, 1997.
  12. Vajaradul Y. Double-blind clinical evaluation of intra-articular glucosamine in outpatients with gonathrosis. Clin Ther. 3:336-343, 1981.
  13. Hughes R. and Carr A. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of glucosamine sulphate as an analgesic in osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheumat. 41:279-284, 2002.
  14. Vaz A.L. Double-blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthosis of the knee in out-patients. Curr Med Res Opin. 8:145-149, 1982.