Oral Glucosamine Effect on Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels in Patients With Non-Diabetic Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to determine the effects of oral glucosamine on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients with osteoarthritis in Northeastern Iran. Patients and methods:This placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial included 40 non-diabetic patients with osteoarthritis (15 males, 25 females, mean age 63.8±7.64 years; range 49 to 80 years). Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups and treated with oral glucosamine sulfate 1500 mg a day or placebo for 90 days. Fasting blood sugar, glucose tolerance test with 75 grams glucose and serum insulin levels, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance were evaluated initially and at the end of intervention. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of blood sugar, glucose tolerance test, and insulin levels at the beginning and end of the study. In the oral glucosamine group, there were no significant changes in fasting blood sugar (94.1±7.14 mg/dL versus 93.5±9.45 mg/dL, p=0.15), glucose tolerance test (99.3±8.99 mg/dL versus 103.3±10.1 mg/dL, p=0.07), and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (1.57±0.21 versus 1.48±0.21, p=0.13) after treatment. Also, placebo did not significantly affect serum glucose levels and insulin resistance. Conclusion: Oral glucosamine with routine dosage was safe in our non-diabetic patients with osteoarthritis and had no significant effect on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.

The Effect of Glucosamine With or Without Chondroitin Sulphate on Glucose Monitoring Parameters in Humans – A Systematic Review

“…14 This paper was later removed from the review group of studies. Five studies were assessed as Fair [15][16][17][18][19] while 6 articles scored as Good. 11,[17][18][19][20][21] Two of the studies fulfilled 26 and 27 criteria and scored excellent.…”

“…11,[15][16][17]21,22,25 Only two studies recruited osteoarthritic patients. 19,26 One study randomised the subjects according to obesity status i.e. lean and obese categories.…”

“…17 Five of the studies merely reported the mean BMI 10,15,17,18,21 from which three of the studies reflected that the subjects were mostly obese as the mean BMI was more than 30. 18,22,23 Glucosamine Dosing Six of the studies followed the recommendation of dosing in the CPG Management of Osteoarthritis 2 nd Ed 2013 11,[18][19][20]22,26 while one prospective study reported affirmative use of glucosamine but no specific information provided on the dosing. 21 Three of the studies used the recommended dose but at a shorter duration of between 14 to 42 days.…”

“…21 Three of the studies used the recommended dose but at a shorter duration of between 14 to 42 days. 17,23,24 Nine studies used multiple dosing of glucosamine 11,17,[19][20][21][22][23][24]26 while four studies tested single doses of glucosamine. [15][16]18,25 Measured Outcome…”

“…11,17,20,22 Fasting glucose was used as a measuring parameter in most studies. 11,[15][16][17][18][19][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Three out of the thirteen studies measured OGTT as a parameter. 11,18,19 In order to determine insulin resistance, eight studies performed fasting insulin test as a secondary outcome.…”