[The effect of glucosamine sulphate on the blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides--a clinical study].
BACKGROUND
This study was conducted in order to determine if glucosamine sulphate taken by patients as treatment for chronic joint pain influences the fasting blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.


METHODS
A 3 months', post-marketing, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was performed with parallel groups of 66 patients over 40 years of age with joint pain of long duration receiving either recommend dosage (1500 mg per day) of glucosamine sulphate or placebo. The primary outcome measures were cholesterol levels (total cholesterol, LDL (low density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and HDL (high density lipoprotein)-cholesterol) and triglycerides in fasting blood (plasma levels). Secondary outcome measures were self reported side-effects.


RESULTS
No significant differences between the glucosamine sulphate group and the placebo group with respect to cholesterol and triglycerides were observed. There were no differences between the treatment groups with respect to side-effects.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that glucosamine sulphate does not significantly influence blood levels of cholesterol or triglycerides.
Østergaard
Keld
K
Slidgigtinstituttet A/S, Ishøj. ostergaard@slidgigt.dk
Hviid
Thomas
T
Hyllested-Winge
Jacob L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D005944:Glucosamine