title: Chondroitin sulfate for the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis: current status and future trends.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiga University of Medical Science, Tsukinowa-cho, Seta, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuhiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.forename: Kosei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mimura
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsusue
authors.forename: Kanji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mori
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates