Effects of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate, alone and in combination, on normal and interleukin-1 conditioned equine articular cartilage explant metabolism.
BACKGROUND
Clinical trials in human and veterinary literature have documented the benefits of oral nutraceutical joint supplements containing glucosamine (GU) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) to treat mild to moderate osteoarthritis, but the effects of these components have not yet been conclusively determined.


OBJECTIVE
To assess varying dosages of GU and CS on normal and interleukin-1alpha (IL-1) conditioned equine cartilage explants and rationalise the use of these products.


OBJECTIVE
Treatment would not be detrimental to cartilage metabolism and higher dosages and the combination of GU and CS would be more beneficial than lower dosages and. GU or CS alone.


METHODS
Articular cartilage explants collected from the femoral trochlea and condyles were cultured in normal and IL-1 conditioned media. Treatment groups included 0, 12.5, 25,125 and 250 microg/ml concentrations of GU alone, CS alone, or GU+CS in combination. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis and total GAG content in the explants and media were analysed.


RESULTS
There were no detrimental effects of GU, CS or GU+CS on cartilage metabolism. High dosages of GU+CS reduced total GAG release into the media (degradation).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggests that GU+CS may prevent cartilage GAG degradation.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of GU and CS may be more effective in preventing or treating osteoarthritis in horses than either product alone.
Dechant
J E
JE
Equine Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
Baxter
G M
GM
Frisbie
D D
DD
Trotter
G W
GW
McIlwraith
C W
CW
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D006736:Horses; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003470:Culture Media; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D007375:Interleukin-1; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C020341:glucosaminoglycans; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D005944:Glucosamine