Physiological effects of oral glucosamine on joint health: current status and consensus on future research priorities

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of the current knowledge and understanding of the potential beneficial physiological effects of glucosamine (GlcN) on joint health. The objective was to reach a consensus on four critical questions and to provide recommendations for future research priorities. To this end, nine scientists from Europe and the United States were selected according to their expertise in this particular field and were invited to participate in the Hohenheim conference held in August 2011. Each expert was asked to address a question that had previously been posed by the chairman of the conference. Based on a systematic review of the literature and the collection of recent data, the experts documented the effects of GlcN on cartilage ageing, metabolic/kinetic and maintenance of joint health as well as reduction of risk of OA development. After extensive debate and discussion the expert panel addressed each question and a general consensus statement was developed, agreeing on the current state-of-the-art and future areas for basic and clinical studies. This paper summarizes the available evidence for beneficial effects of GlcN on joint health and proposes new insight into the design of future clinical trials aimed at identifying beneficial physiological effect of GlcN on joint tissues.

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“…Although, the absorption and bioavailability of such dietary supplements have not been fully clarified, ingested chondroitin and glucosamine are partially absorbed and it has been documented that some reach the synovial fluid and cartilage. 38 , 55 - 57 …”

Management of Osteoarthritis with Avocado/Soybean Unsaponifiables

“… 58 They are produced by chondrocytes and syonivocytes or obtained through diet. 59 - 65 Hyaluronan and hyaluronic acid (Hyalgan hylan-GF20/Synvisc) can be injected into the knee joint of patients with OA who cannot tolerate NSAIDs or are awaiting joint surgery. 66 A recent report indicates that viscosupplementation with Hylan-GF20 slows type II collagen degradation and joint inflammation in patients with OA.…”

Joint health: What degree of evidence is necessary to support health claims for food supplements, taking glucosamine as an example?

“…The Hohenheimer consensus conference provided recommendations for further research to better understand the polyvalent nature of glucosamine in a healthy population [31]. As outlined above, the anti-inflammatory properties of glucosamine in the general population [23] were confirmed and another study suggesting chondroprotective activity of glucosamine in athletes (bicycle racers) was published [22].…”