J209
GLUCOASAMINE AND CHONDROITIN SULFATE
Six reports from Europe show that chondroitin sulfate is a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis (1,2,3,4,5,6), while three reviews from the United States show that glucosamine is not (8,9,10). Two common types of arthritis are reactive and degenerative. Reactive arthritis, such as rheumatoid, may be caused by infection or an overactive immune system and can often be controlled by taking antibiotics for many months (See my reports on Reactive and Rheumatoid Arthritis).
However, one in 10 Americans suffers from osteo or degenerative arthritis, a disease in which the currently used medications, acetaminophen, aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, do not slow or reverse the progressive destruction of joints and no cause is known. Over the last decade, reports have shown that pills containing chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, two components of cartilage, may help alleviate the pain. Three major reviews in the scientific literature claim that the three studies showing that glucosamine relieves pain were poorly designed and therefore cannot be offered as proof of benefit (8,9,10). On the other hand, 6 recent studies from Europe (1,2,3,4,5,6) and another from the United States (7) show that chondroitin sulfate does help to slow joint destruction and pain caused by osteoarthritis. While most doctors are still skeptical of the benefits of chondroitin sulfate, it appears to be safe and may help relieve osteoarthritis. Also see reports #1093 and #8092.
1) D Uebelhart, EJMA Thonar, JW Zhang, JM Williams. Protective effect of exogenous chondroitin 4,6-sulfate in the acute degradation of articular cartilage in the rabbit. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6: Suppl. A (MAY 1998):6-13. Switzerland.
2) F Ronca, L Palmieri, P Panicucci, G Ronca. Anti-inflammatory activity of chondroitin sulfate. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6: Suppl. A (MAY 1998):14-21. Italy.
3) P Bourgeois, G Chales, J Dehais, B Delcambre, JL Kuntz, S Rozenberg. Efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg/day vs chondroitin sulfate 3 x 400 mg/day vs placebo. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6: Suppl. A (MAY 1998):25-30 France.
4) L Bucsi, G Poor. Efficacy and tolerability of oral chondroitin sulfate as a symptomatic slow-acting drug for osteoarthritis (SYSADOA) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6: Suppl. A (MAY 1998):31-36. Hungary.
5) D Uebelhart, EJMA Thonar, PD Delmas, A Chantraine, E Vignon. Effects of oral chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6: Suppl. A (MAY 1998):39-46. Switzerland.
6) T Hardingham. Chondroitin sulfate and joint disease. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 6: Suppl. A (MAY 1998):3-5. England.
7) Sugiuri N, et al. Suppresion of Pannus-like extension of synovial cells by lipid-derivatized chondroitin sulfate: in vitro and in vivo studies using Eschericia coli-induced arthritis rabbits. Int J Exp Pathol 1995(Oct);76(5):369-379.
8) TS Barclay, C Tsourounis, GM Mccart. Glucosamine. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 32: 5 (MAY 1998):574-579.
9) CC Dacamara, GV Dowless. Glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 32: 5 (MAY 1998):580-587.
10) CC Dacamara, GV Dowless. Glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis. Annals of Pharmacotherapy 32: 5 (MAY 1998):580-587. Fayetteville, NC 28304 USA.
Checked 9/3/05