The effect of glucosamine-chondroitin supplementation on glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
With increasing use of glucosamine-containing supplements for the treatment of osteoarthritis, there is increasing concern in the medical community about possible toxic effects. The present study was undertaken to determine whether glucosamine supplementation altered hemoglobin A1c concentrations in patients with well-controlled diabetes mellitus.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate possible effects of glucosamine supplementation on glycemic control in a selected population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.


METHODS
Placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Outpatient, diabetes monitoring clinic.


METHODS
Patients were typically elderly patients, evenly divided between men and women. Most of the patients were being treated with 1 or 2 drugs for glycemic control.


METHODS
In daily doses for 90 days, patients received either placebo or a combination of 1500 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride with 1200 mg of chondroitin sulfate (Cosamin DS; Nutramax Laboratories Inc, Edgewood, Md). Main Outcome Measure Hemoglobin A1c levels before and after 90 days of therapy.


RESULTS
There were 4 withdrawals from the glucosamine-treated group. Three were related to comorbidities (myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and atrial fibrillation) and 1 to a possible adverse reaction (excessive flatus). No other patient reported any adverse effects of glucosamine therapy, and no patient had any change in their diabetes management. Mean hemoglobin A1c concentrations were not significantly different between groups prior to glucosamine therapy. Posttreatment hemoglobin A1c concentrations were not significantly different between groups, nor were there any significant differences within groups before and after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that oral glucosamine supplementation does not result in clinically significant alterations in glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Scroggie
Daren A
DA
Department of Rheumatology, 59th Medical Wing, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Lackland, TX 78236, USA. Daren.Scrogie@lackland.af.mil
Albright
Allison
A
Harris
Mark D
MD
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D002807:Chondroitin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002807:Chondroitin; D005944:Glucosamine; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin