title: [Polymeric chondroitin sulfate vs. monomeric glucosamine for the treatment of osteoarthritis].
abstract: Two potentially chondro-protective substances are compared with each other: polymeric chondroitin sulfate and monomeric glucosamine. Chondroitin-sulfate is characterized by tropism for cartilage, i.e. it is preferentially incorporated into cartilagenous tissue. This quality could be of interest in the SPECT-analysis of osteoarthritic knee joints. In contrast to the classic agents Ibuprofen and Indomethacin, the antiinflammatory action of chondroitin-sulfate is less prominent, but the drug does not show any toxic side effects. Glucosamine on the other hand is a multifunctional precursor of the glycosaminoglycan synthesis in general. It lacks the cartilage tropism of chondroitin-sulfate. Into what sort of a glycosaminoglycan glucosamine is eventually integrated, depends therefore on the nature of the cells participating in the biosynthesis.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Immunologie, Universität Wien. ernst.johannes.menzel@univic.ac.at
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Menzel
mesh_terms: D053674:Aggrecans; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
chemical_list: D053674:Aggrecans; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D011509:Proteoglycans; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D005944:Glucosamine