Effects of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate, alone and in combination, on normal and interleukin-1 conditioned equine articular cartilage explant metabolism

• Published in: Equine veterinary journal 2005-05, Vol.37 (3), p.227-231
• Main Authors: Dechant, J.E, Baxter, G.M, Frisbie, D.D, Trotter, G.W, McIlwraith, C.W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; articular cartilage; biosynthesis; cartilage; Cartilage, Articular - drug effects; Cartilage, Articular - metabolism; chondroitin sulfate; Chondroitin Sulfates - pharmacology; Chondroitin Sulfates - therapeutic use; chondroitin sulphate; Culture Media; dosage; dose response; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; drug evaluation; drug interactions; Drug Synergism; explants; glucosamine; Glucosamine - pharmacology; Glucosamine - therapeutic use; Glycosaminoglycans - metabolism; horse; horse diseases; Horse Diseases - drug therapy; Horse Diseases - immunology; Horses; in vitro culture; interleukin-1; Interleukin-1 - pharmacology; Interleukin-1 - physiology; medical treatment; metabolism; osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis - drug therapy; Osteoarthritis - immunology; Osteoarthritis - veterinary; Random Allocation; Recombinant Proteins - pharmacology; Tissue Culture Techniques - veterinary; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0425-1644; 2042-3306
• DOI: 10.2746/0425164054530687

Summary Reasons for performing study: 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. Objectives: To assess varying dosages of GU and CS on normal and interleukin‐1α (IL‐1) conditioned equine cartilage explants and rationalise the use of these products. Hypothesis: 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 μg/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. Potential relevance: The combination of GU and CS may be more effective in preventing or treating osteoarthritis in horses than either product alone.