Effective Treatment for Arthritis?

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Effective Treatment for Arthritis?

Glucosamine, an amino-monosaccharide found in crustacean shells, has been observed to stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycans, possesses anti-inflammatory properties, and does not inhibit the synthesis of prostoglandins in the body.

Chondroitin sulfate is a long chain polymer extracted from bovine tracheas; chondroitin sulfate has been proposed to inhibit synovial degradative enzymes and stimulate the production of glycosaminoglycans in articular cartilage.
Recent observations involving the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate suggest some effectiveness in the management of joint pain in the knee. Among patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), long-term use of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate appears to prevent changes in joint structure and significantly improve symptoms.
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 93 patients with knee osteoarthritis evaluated the oral combination of glucosamine hydrochloride, sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate for the treatment of OA of the knee. Patients in the treatment group were given preparations of the compounds twice a day orally, while the control group was given a placebo. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and every two months for six months. In addition to physical examination and functional status questionnaires, radiographs of each patient's knees were taken and evaluated using the Kellgren and Lawrence atlas.
A significant improvement was noted in the 72 patients who had mild or moderate OA of the knee; patients with severe OA of the knee did not show significant improvements. There was a slightly higher rate of adverse events in the placebo group than in the treatment group.
Conclusion: This study, the first of its kind in the United States, suggests that preparations containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and are effective in the treatment of mild to moderate OA of the knee.
Das A, Hammad T. Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49 glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH122 low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, September 2000:8, pp. 343-350.