Glucosamine/chondroitin combinations

The landmark National Institutes of Health (NIH) study comparing glucosamine, chondroitin, glucosamine plus chondroitin, celecoxib, and placebo for OA was published recently.26 Glucosamine, chondroitin, and their combination were no more effective than placebo in decreasing pain symptoms in 1583 patients with knee OA after 24 weeks. 

Clegg D et al Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med 2006 354 795. [PMID 16495392]... 

In addition to single entity glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM products, there are also a number of combination products with glucosamine. Trials with combinations of glucosamine and chondroitin showed improvement of symptoms in one group of patients, but in another group, only those with mild to moderate OA showed improvement. Methylsulfonylmethane is also used in combination with glucosamine and... 

Celecoxib, however, was effective. In the subgroup of patients with moderate to severe OA pain, the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin appeared to have a moderate effect, although this subgroup analysis must be interpreted with caution. On the other hand, a European study (the GUIDE trial) that compared a prescription glucosamine product with acetaminophen and placebo in patients with knee OA reported that glucosamine performed better versus placebo than did acetaminophen.27... 

Q72 Gl ucosamine is a natural substance that is present in tendons and ligaments. Glucosamine is used for the symptomatic relief of mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis in combination with chondroitin. 

Glucosamine is an amino sugar derivative occurring naturally in healthy tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Its use has been shown to be effective in the symptomatic relief of osteoarthritis, especially in combination with chondroitin, also a derivative of cartilage. 

Chondroitin Chondroitin sulfate Bovine tracheal cartilage Osteoarthritis (combined with glucosamine]... 

Glucosamine 2-amino-2-deoxyglucose glucosamine sulfate Manufactured synthetically from sugar-protein precursors Osteoarthritis (combined with chondroitin]... 

For a number of years, there have been suggestions that glucosamine interferes with glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance may occur. This would be a significant risk in older patients, who often have concomitant illnesses. A recent study has demonstrated that oral glucosamine supplementation (1500 mg), in combination with 1200 mg chondroitin per day, did not adversely affect glycemic control when administered to patients with type 2 diabetes. ... 

Table 6 shows the range of values determined for levels of active constituents in samples of formulated combination glucosamine and chondroitin products. Two of the four products tested passed, and three out of the 12 tested by Consumer Reports passed on levels of both components, chondroitin levels being most frequently below 95% of the stated level. " ... 

Table 6 Levels of active constituents in combination glucosamine and chondroitin products...

The results of GAIT were further supported by findings of some scientists in Bern, Switzerland. They analyzed 10 clinical trials, which involved a total of 3803 patients, and concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin, either alone or in combination, did not outperform placebos in preventing joint damage. Their results left no room for doubt Coverage of costs by health authorities or health insurers for these preparations and novel prescriptions to patients who have not received other treatments should be discouraged. ... 

Uridine diphosphate also is found in combination with galactosamine (in liver) and with glucosamine phosphate and glucosamine sulfate (in oviduct). The metabolic functions of these nucleotides has not been ascertained, but there is an obvious tendency to suspect that they are intermediates in the biosyntheses of chondroitin sulfate and other polysaccharides. 

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