Glucosamine Sulphate by drdoc on-line
Health and nutrition stores recently have promoted nutritional supplements of glucosamine sulfate as a treatment for nonspecific arthritis. Consumers may be under the impression that this is an arthritis medication. Glucosamine is a substance synthesized in the body.It plays an important role in the repair and maintenance of Articular cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is an artificially synthesized salt of glucosamine. This compound has been tried experimentally in the treatment of osteoarthritis.Osteoarthritis is a form of degenerative arthritis occurring when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bone joints breaks down, causing pain, stiffness and deformity.
Based on animal models of arthritis, glucosamine sulfate has been reported to have the potential to slow the degradation of cartilage.Its mode of action is believed to involve stimulation of cartilage cells to synthesize glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, the building blocks of cartilage. It also has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties through a mechanism that inhibits the activity of proteolytic enzymes.
In the early 1980s, a number of small, controlled human trials were conducted in Europe and Asia to study the clinical use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Small trials were then done in the early 1990's. These tended to be poor design and of limited general acceptance.
Recent publication in the Lancet Vol 357 Jan 2001 showed optimistic results with an increase in joint space (cartilage) when used over 3 years.
This suggests a fairly definite positive response
Therefore in my personal opinion there is no evidence that there is any benefit in this product with Rheumatoid Arthritis, but a potential benefit in osteoarthritis - based on other previously reported animal data. The medication has never fully been studied in a scientific manner - and perhaps a large study in osteoarthritis may be appropriate.
The USA FDA position:
No drug company in the United States has submitted an application on this compound for FDA review and approval.
Glucosamine sulfate therefore has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of arthritis.
Substances promoted as dietary supplements, including glucosamine salts such as glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride do not require premarket review by the FDA. Manufacturers only are required to comply with FDA safety guidelines and to have substantial evidence regarding claims to a compound¹s benefit. There are no criteria defining substantial evidence, and suppliers are not required to share this information with the FDA.The FDA has not reviewed any studies to confirm or refute the claims made for glucosamine dietary supplements.The studies conducted during the past 10 years appear promising. However, more recent, long-term, rigorously controlled studies with a large number of patients are needed to evaluate the value of glucosamine sulfate as a treatment for osteoarthritis.
Studies should use outcome measures other than pain and disability, include markers of cartilage stabilization or deterioration and use state-of-the-art technology to evaluate cartilage.
The studies conducted during the past 10 years do not indicate that glucosamine sulfate benefits other forms of arthritis. People with arthritis should seek proper medical care from their family physician or a rheumatologist and should check with their doctor before self-treating with products claimed to help arthritis.