title: What is the current status of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis?
abstract: Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate exert beneficial effects on the metabolism of in vitro models of cells derived from synovial joints: chondrocytes, synoviocytes and cells from subchondral bone, all of which are involved in osteoarthritis (OA). They increase type II collagen and proteoglycan synthesis in human articular chondrocytes and are able to reduce the production of some pro-inflammatory mediators and proteases, to reduce the cellular death process, and improve the anabolic/catabolic balance of the extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM). Clinical trials have reported a beneficial effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate on pain and function. The structure-modifying effects of these compounds have been reported and analyzed in recent meta-analyses. The results for knee OA demonstrate a small but significant reduction in the rate of joint space narrowing. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulphate are recommended by several guidelines from international societies for the management of knee and hip OA, while others do not recommend these products or recommend only under condition. This comprehensive review clarifies the role of these compounds in the therapeutic arsenal for patients with knee OA.
authors.affiliation: Bone and Cartilage Research Unit, Arthropôle Liège, University of Liège, Institute of Pathology, CHU Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium. Electronic address: yhenrotin@ulg.ac.be.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Henrotin
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department, Teaching Hospital H Mondor, Creteil, France.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Duke of Kent Building, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XH, United Kingdom; Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre, Medical Research Council and Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Fahd Medical Research Center (KFMRC), King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mobasheri
mesh_terms: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000187:drug effects*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D005944:Glucosamine
keywords: Cartilage; Chondroitin; Glucosamine; Osteoarthritis