Chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis: current status and future trends.
OBJECTIVE
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disorder and a major socio-economic burden. Chondroitin sulfate (CS), which has chondroprotective properties, is a promising candidate for the therapeutic treatment of OA. Here, we summarize current knowledge as well as future trends of CS for the treatment of hip and knee OA.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of CS for the treatment of OA.


RESULTS
The safety and tolerability of CS are confirmed. CS is effective, at least in part, for the treatment of OA, and its therapeutic benefits occur through three main mechanisms: 1) stimulation of extracellular matrix production by chondrocytes; 2) suppression of inflammatory mediators; and 3) inhibition of cartilage degeneration.


CONCLUSIONS
CS is a safe and tolerable therapeutic agent for the management of OA. Its effects include benefits that are not achieved by current medicines and include chondroprotection and the prevention of joint space narrowing. Such positive effects of CS represent a breakthrough in the treatment of hip and knee OA.
Kubo
Mitsuhiko
M
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa-cho, Seta, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan.
Ando
Kosei
K
Mimura
Tomohiro
T
Matsusue
Yoshitaka
Y
Mori
Kanji
K
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates