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Home / Equine Research Bank / Osteoarthritis Cartilage / The effects of oral glucosamine on joint health: is a change...
Osteoarthritis and cartilage2009; 18(1); 5-11; doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2009.07.005

The effects of oral glucosamine on joint health: is a change in research approach needed?

Abstract: Oral glucosamine (GlcN) has been widely studied for its potential therapeutic benefits in alleviating the pain and disability of osteoarthritis (OA). Its popularity has grown despite ongoing controversy regarding its effectiveness vs placebo in clinical trials, and lack of information regarding possible mechanisms of action. Here, we review the state of knowledge concerning the biology of GlcN as it relates to OA, and discuss a framework for future research directions. Methods: An editorial "narrative" review of peer-reviewed publications is organized into four topics (1) Chemistry and pharmacokinetics of GlcN salts (2) Biological effects of GlcN salts in vitro (3) Therapeutic effects of GlcN salts in animal models of OA and (4) GlcN salts in the treatment of clinical OA. Results: Data reporting potent pleiotropic activities of GlcN in in vitro cell and explant cultures are discussed in the context of the established pharmacokinetic data in humans and animals. The available clinical trial data are discussed to place the patient in the context of controlled research on disease management. Conclusions: Future research to determine therapeutic mechanisms of GlcN salt preparations will require use of standardized and clinically relevant in vitro assay systems and in vivo animal models for testing, as well as development of new outcome measures for inflammation and pain pathways in human OA.
Copyright 2009 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2009-09-01 PubMed ID: 19733270DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2009.07.005Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study examined the potential benefits and shortcomings of glucosamine, a supplement often used for osteoarthritis management, and suggests areas that need further research to understand its therapeutic mechanisms.

Research Methodology

  • The methodology includes an editorial “narrative” review of peer-reviewed research articles. The review is organized into different modules: Glucosamine’s Chemistry and Pharmacokinetics, Biological Effects In Vitro, Therapeutic Effects in Animal Models, and Therapeutic Effects in Clinical Osteoarthritis.

Chemistry and Pharmacokinetics of Glucosamine Salts

  • The research provides insight into glucosamine’s chemical properties, including its pharmacokinetics–how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes it. This is fundamental in understanding how glucosamine functions in the body once administered orally.

Biological Effects of Glucosamine Salts In Vitro

  • The research reviews glucosamine’s influence on cells in laboratory settings (in vitro). It’s important to comprehend these effects to hypothesize potential therapeutic mechanisms inside the body.

Therapeutic Effects of Glucosamine Salts in Animal Models of Osteoarthritis

  • The researchers reviewed studies that evaluated the therapeutic effects of glucosamine on animal models with osteoarthritis. This type of evaluation helps determine the potential benefits glucosamine might have on humans.

Glucosamine Salts in the Treatment of Clinical Osteoarthritis

  • The paper also reviews clinical trials where glucosamine was used in treating patients with osteoarthritis. Some controversies arise from these trials as findings on glucosamine’s effectiveness in alleviating pain and improving mobility vary.

Conclusions and Future Directions

  • Given the existing data, it’s seen that glucosamine possesses potent activities in in vitro cell cultures. The review suggests that further investigation is required on the active mechanisms of glucosamine in treating osteoarthritis.
  • Future research should utilize standardized and clinically relevant in vitro assays and in vivo animal models as testing grounds. There is also a call for developing new outcome measures to assess inflammation and pain pathways.

Cite This Article

APA
Block JA, Oegema TR, Sandy JD, Plaas A. (2009). The effects of oral glucosamine on joint health: is a change in research approach needed? Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 18(1), 5-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2009.07.005

Publication

Osteoarthritis and cartilage
ISSN: 1522-9653
NlmUniqueID: 9305697
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 5-11

Researcher Affiliations

Block, J A
  • Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology), Rush University Medical Center, Chicago IL 60612, USA. jblock@rush.edu
Oegema, T R
    Sandy, J D
      Plaas, A

        MeSH Terms

        • Administration, Oral
        • Animals
        • Cattle
        • Dogs
        • Glucosamine / analogs & derivatives
        • Glucosamine / chemistry
        • Glucosamine / pharmacokinetics
        • Glucosamine / therapeutic use
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Joints / drug effects
        • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
        • Pain / drug therapy
        • Rabbits
        • Rats

        Citations

        This article has been cited 23 times.
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