【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the results of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of knee degenerativeosteoarthritis (DOA) . Methods From February 2006 to January 2007, 60 patients with knee DOA were treated with glucosaminehydrochloride,including 15 males and 45 females. The ages of patients ranged from 41 to 67 years with an average ageof 57.5 years. The disease course ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Oral glucosamine hydrochloride was given twice a day, each750 mg, for a 6-week course of treatment; another course of treatment was repeated after 4 months. After two courses of treatment,the international standard DOA score of Lequesne index was used to evaluate the rest of knee pain, sports pain, tenderness,joints activity, morning stiffness and walking abil ity. Results All 60 patients finished treatment, various cl inical symptomsfor DOA disappeared completely in 31 cases and subsided in 27 cases; the cure rate was 51.7% and the total response rate was96.7%. The scores of rest pain, sport pain, tenderness, joints activity, morning stiffness and the abil ity to walk for knee after treatmentwere 0.5±0.2,0.7±0.4,0.8±0.3,0.9±0.4,0.6±0.3 and 0.9±0.4, showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.01) whencompared with preoperation (1.6±0.5,2.1±0.4,2.2±0.5,1.8±0.6,1.7±0.4 and 2.0±0.4). Adverse effect occurred in 3 cases (5%)and the patients recovered without special treatment. Conclusion Glucosamine hydrochloride can cure knee DOA withsymptom-rel ieving and joint function-improving action.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effect of glucosamine-hydrochloride (Glu/Ch) in protecting and repairing the cartilage in blood-induced joint damage (BJD) in vivo. MethodsThirty-two adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8):high-dose Glu/Ch treated group (group A), low-dose Glu/Ch treated group (group B), positive control group (group C), and negative control group (group D). A joint bleeding model was established by blood injection into articular cavity in groups A, B, and C. Glu/Ch was given by gavage in groups A (250 mg/kg) and B (21.5 mg/kg) once a day for 8 weeks, and the same dosage of saline was given in groups C and D. The serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), serum chondroitin sulfate 846(CS846), and urinary C-terminal telopepide of type II collagen (CTX-II) were measured at 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks after modeling. The expressions of cytokines such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in synovial fluid were analyzed by ELISA at 8 weeks after modeling. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP-13) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Alcian blue staining and Safranin-O staining were performed to calculate the percentage of the positive staining areas. The proteoglycan content was detected by semi-quantitative analysis in the articular cartilage. ResultsThe COMP concentration was significantly higher in groups A, B, and C than group D, and in groups B and C than group A at 3 days after modeling (P<0.05); no significant difference was found among groups A, B, and D at 7 days (P>0.05), and it was significantly lower in groups A, B, and D than group C (P<0.05); there was no significant difference among 4 groups after 2 and 8 weeks (P>0.05). Difference in CS846 concentration had no significance among 4 groups at each time point (P>0.05). The CTX-II concentration of groups A, B, and C was significantly higher than that of group D at each time point (P<0.05); it was significantly lower in group A than groups B and C at 7 days, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks (P<0.05). The TNF-α concentration of groups A and B was significantly higher than group D, and was significantly lower than group C at 8 weeks (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between groups A and B (P>0.05). The IL-1β concentration was significantly higher in group C than the other groups (P<0.05), and in group B than groups A and D (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and D (P>0.05). The MMP-13 expression was significantly higher in group C than groups A, B, and D (P<0.05), in groups A and B than group D (P<0.05). A significant decrease in the area stained with Alcian blue and Safranin-O was observed in group C. There were significant differences in the percentage of the positive stained areas of Alcian blue and Safranin-O among 4 groups (P<0.05). The relative quantities of proteoglycan from small to large in order was groups C, B, A, and D, respectively, showing significant differences (P<0.05). ConclusionThe metabolism disorder of cartilage matrix and synovium inflammatory reaction can be observed in rat joint bleeding model. Glu/Ch has certain protective effect on the cartilage after BJD by down-regulating IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-13, as well as increasing proteoglycan content in the cartilage.
ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness and safety of glucosamine for osteoarthritis (OA) in Asian population. MethodDatabases of PubMed, Embase, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang were searched from the time of establishment till May 2014 and controlled trials of glucosamine compared with placebo or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were included. Quality evaluation and Meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.1 were performed. ResultsA total of 17 studies including 2 251 cases were included. The efficiency rate in the glucosamine group was higher than that in the NSAIDs group[OR=3.03, 95% CI (1.78, 5.18), P<0.000 1]. The efficiency rate in the glucosamine combined NSAIDs group was higher than that in the NSAIDs group[OR=4.30,95%CI (1.84,10.06),P=0.000 8]. The safety analysis showed that the adverse event rate in the glucosamine group was lower than that in the NSAIDs group[OR=0.23,95%CI (0.14,0.37),P<0.000 01], while the difference between the glucosamine combined NSAIDs group and the NSAIDs group was not statistically significant[OR=0.84, 95%CI (0.50, 1.41), P=0.50]. ConclusionsCompared with NSAIDs, glucosamine is better and safer for OA treatment in Asian population.
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride on chronic lumbago and backache. MethodsWe selected 328 outpatients with chronic lumbago and backache diagnosed between May 2014 and May 2015, and randomly (with single blind method) divided them into study group (n=172) and control group (n=156). Patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen and placebo, while those in the study group were treated with ibuprofen and glucosamine hydrochloride. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was used for investigation at three time points (before the treatment, one month and two months after the treatment). ResultsThe score of SF-MPQ in the study group was 64.34±23.35 before the treatment, 44.04±13.22 one month after the treatment, and 19.87±8.11 two months after the treatment. While in the control group, the results at those three time points were 65.19±24.12, 47.04±11.36, and 54.44±21.39, respectively. There was no obvious difference between the two groups one month after the treatment (P>0.05). The pain was alleviated in both of the two groups one month after the treatment, while the therapeutic effect in the study group was significantly better than that in the control group two months after the treatment (P<0.05). Archenteric complications were found in 3 patients (1.74%) in the study group and 2 (1.28%) in the control group without a significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride may effectively alleviate the lumbago and backache without any obvious adverse reactions.
ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride combined with calcium and vitamin D on knee osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 120 female outpatients with knee osteoarthritis from January 2014 to January 2015 were selected. The patients were randomly divided into study group and control group (60 patients in each group) according to their treatment sequence. The patients in the study group were given oral calcium citrate, alfacalcidol and glucosamine hydrochloride while those in the control group were given glucosamine hydrochloride only. Both groups were investigated and scored by Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire before and three and six months after treatment. ResultsThree and six months after the treatment, WOMAC scores of both groups were lower than those before the treatment with significant differences (P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, WOMAC scores between the two groups didn't differ much (P>0.05), while the difference between the two groups was significant 6 months after the treatment (P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, the difference of total effective rate in the study group (43.3%) and control group (41.7%) was not significant (P>0.05), while the rate in the study group (65.0%) was obviously higher than that in the control group (46.7%) 6 months after the treatment (P<0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride has exact effect on knee osteoarthritis. There are differences in the therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis between glucosamine hydrochloride combined with calcium and vitamin D and glucosamine hydrochloride alone after six-month treatment.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 150 patients with osteoarthritis treated between April 2014 and April 2015 were randomly divided into control group and trial group with 75 in each. Patients in the trial group accepted oral glucosamine hydrochloride, while those in the control group were given diclofenac sodium. Lequesne index, total effective rate and the incidence of adverse reactions of both groups were calculated before and 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after treatment, and 2 weeks after drug withdrawal. ResultsIn both groups, Lequesne index started to decrease after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), and reached the minimum value at treatment week eight (P<0.05). The Lequesne index 2 weeks after drug withdrawal was still obviously lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in the total effective rate at treatment week eight (83.1% for the control group and 80.9% for the trial group) or the total effective rate 2 weeks after drug withdrawal (80.0% for the control group and 79.4% for the trial group) between the control group and the trial group (P>0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions of the trial group (6.7%) was significantly lower than that of the control group (21.3%) (P<0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride is effective and safe in the treatment of osteoarthritis, which is suitable for long-term treatment.
ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of electro-acupuncture combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, and compare it with the curative effect of the two methods separately. MethodsA total of 168 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated from March 2006 to December 2012 were randomly divided into 3 groups. Electro-acupuncture combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules were given to the 58 patients in the treatment group, single acupuncture treatment was given to the 57 patients in control group A, and simple oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules were given to the 53 patients in control group B. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Assessment of knee osteoarthritis by Lequesne international standard index number and the total efficiency was carried out before treatment and 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months after treatment, respectively. ResultsThe total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.38%, of control group A was 68.42%, and of control group B was 79.25%. There was a significant difference between the treatment group and control group A, and between the treatment group and control group B (P<0.05). No blood, liver or kidney damage or gastrointestinal adverse reaction occurred among patients in all the three groups. ConclusionThe efficacy of electro-acupuncture plus oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules is better than simple acupuncture and simple oral glucosamine hydrochloride capsules treatment.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of combined traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsA total of 180 KOA patients treated between January 2012 and June 2015 were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Chinese medicine group (group A, n=60) with acupuncture and irradiation therapy of specific electromagnetic wave therapeutic apparatus , western medicine group (group B, n=60) with oral glucosamine hydrochloride tablets and knee joint cavity injection of sodium hyaluronate, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group (group C, n=60) with treatments combining those in both group A and B. The treatment course was 6 weeks. The Western Ontario & McMaster University (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index score and total effective rate were evaluated before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment, end of treatment and 5 months after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the average improvement of WOMAC scores in the three groups was significantly different (P < 0.05) . The total effective rate was 78.33% in group A, 83.33% in group B, and 91.67% in group C. The difference of total effective rate between group C and A, and between group C and B was statistically significant (P<0.05) ; and it was also statistically significant between group A and B (P < 0.05) . There were two cases of adverse reactions in group A, two in group B, and two in group C, and the reactions were all relatively mild without any serious adverse events. ConclusionsChinese medicine and western medicine are both effective and safe for the treatment of KOA. When they are combined, the effect is further enhanced with no increase of adverse reactions.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein for patients with knee osteoarthritis and the MRI variation. MethodsBetween January and June 2014, 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized into three groups: group A (treated by glucosamine hydrochloride), group B (treated by diacerein) and group C (treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein). The score of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis, MRI cartilage injury Recht grading and the curative effects for bone marrow edema, joint cavity effusion and meniscus injury were compared before and after the treatment. ResultsThe scores of WOMAC after treatment in all the groups were improved, while the therapeutic effect of group C lasted longer when medical treatment suspended. The number of articular surface with different degrees of cartilage injury showed no statistically significant change in all three groups (P > 0.05) . The state of bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion were improved with a statistically significant difference in all groups (P < 0.05) . Patients with lateral meniscus degeneration in group A and patients with medial meniscal tear in group B both increased with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) . However, in group C, patients with lateral meniscus degeneration or meniscal tear decreased with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) . ConclusionsThe treatment for osteoarthritis by glucosamine hydrochloride is effective, and the curative effect lasts longer when treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein. Glucosamine hydrochloride ameliorates the bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion. Treatment together with diacerein leads to a better therapeutic effect for patients with meniscus degeneration, yet further studies are needed to prove its effects in ameliorating cartilage injury.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of combined air pressure wave and oral glucosamine in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. MethodsWe chose 200 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated in the Department of Rehabilitation between April 2013 and March 2015 as our research subjects. The patients were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 100 in each. The control group accepted conventional physical therapy, while the observation group underwent normal physical therapy in combination with air pressure wave and oral glucosamine treatment. We compared the two groups in terms of curative effects. ResultsThe total effective rate was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05) , but in terms of efficiency rate, the observation group (85.0%) was significantly superior to the control group (73.0%) (P < 0.05) . ConclusionCombined air pressure wave and oral glucosamine treatment for knee osteoarthritis is high efficient, which is worthy of being popularized.