Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in the repair of osteochondral defects in dogs - clinical-radiographic analysis

• Published in: Revista Ceres 2012-10, Vol.59 (5), p.587-596
• Main Authors: Eleotério, R.B, Borges, A.P.B, Pontes, K.C. de S, Fernandes, N.A, Soares, P.F, SIlva, M.B, Martins, N.J.S, Machado, J.P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; artrose; CHIEN; condroprotetor; CÃO; DISTÚRBIO FISIOLÓGICO; doença articular degenerativa; DOGS; FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2352; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_3144; nutracêutico; osteoartrite; PERRO; TRASTORNOS FUNCIONALES; TROUBLE FONCTIONNEL; VETERINÁRIA
• ISSN: 0034-737X; 2177-3491; 2177-3491; 0034-737X
• DOI: 10.1590/S0034-737X2012000500003

Among the proposed treatments to repair lesions of degenerative joint disease (DJD), chondroprotective nutraceuticals composed by glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are a non-invasive theraphy with properties that favors the health of the cartilage. Although used in human, it is also available for veterinary use with administration in the form of nutritional supplement independent of prescription, since they have registry only in the Inspection Service, which does not require safety and efficacy testing. The lack of such tests to prove efficacy and safety of veterinary medicines required by the Ministry of Agriculture and the lack of scientific studies proving its benefits raises doubts about the efficiency of the concentrations of such active substances. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a veterinary chondroprotective nutraceutical based on chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in the repair of osteochondral defects in lateral femoral condyle of 48 dogs, through clinical and radiographic analysis. The animals were divided into treatment group (TG) and control group (CG), so that only the TG received the nutraceutical every 24 hours at the rate recommended by the manufacturer. The results of the four treatment times (15, 30, 60 and 90 days) showed that the chondroprotective nutraceutical, in the rate, formulation and administration at the times used, did not improve clinical signs and radiologically did not influence in the repair process of the defects, since the treated and control groups showed similar radiographic findings at the end of the treatments. Dentre os tratamentos propostos para a doença articular degenerativa (DAD), os nutracêuticos condroprotetores à base de sulfato de condroitina constituem uma terapia não invasiva que favorece a manuteção da saúde da cartilagem. Além de utilizados em humanos, foram também disponibilizados para uso veterinário administrados na forma de suplemento nutricional independentemente de prescrição, uma vez que possuem somente o registro do Serviço de Inspeção Federal, que não exige testes de eficácia e segurança. A falta desses testes pelo Ministério da Agricultura para comprovação da eficácia e segurança de medicamentos veterinários e a carência de estudos científicos que comprovem seus benefícios geram dúvidas quanto à eficiência de tais substâncias ativas. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de um nutracêutico condroprotetor veterinário à base