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Learning how glucosamine works
What is the problem and what is
already known?
Glucosamine is a dietary supplement used alone or in combination with
chondroitin sulfate to reduce pain in osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, recent
studies suggest that it may be a “disease-modifying” agent for OA, i.e., one
that can prevent or treat cartilage breakdown and delay the onset of OA. Exactly
how glucosamine works isn’t known. It has been suggested that glucosamine may increase the
production of a key type of protein found in cartilage, called proteoglycan, and as a result help to
build or repair cartilage. More studies are needed to better understand the
mechanism of action of glucosamine, and in particular its effects on cartilage.
Researcher
funded by the Arthritis Foundation who was involved in the study: Theodore Oegema, PhD, Rush Medical College,
Chicago.
Who was studied and what was
done?
Young, growing rabbits with normal knees were compared to rabbits with a
recently-damaged knee joint. All were fed glucosamine in a dose comparable to
the recommended human dose. After eight weeks the rabbits were examined to
determine the effects on their knee cartilage.
What were the study results?
Glucosamine did not affect the rabbits with normal knees, but did increase the
amount of proteoglycan content in the cartilage in both the damaged joint and
the opposite joint in the experimental animals.
What’s the relevance to people
with arthritis?
This type of research is helping to provide the scientific rationale for
using glucosamine in people with OA, and will help to clarify when the use of
this supplement is warranted.
Source: Arthritis
and Rheumatism, September 2002
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12355498&dopt=Abstract
 
Research Update is compiled by
Michele Boutaugh, BSN, MPH, Medical and Scientific Affairs Department,
National Office.
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