Arthritis Relief: Chondroprotection

Millions of Americans are afflicted by some form of arthritis ranging from rare to common and from trivial to serious.

Arthritis has left medical science searching for explanations. Many products are available to relieve the symptoms such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ironically, several studies indicate that long-term use of NSAIDs actually inhibits cartilage repair and accelerates its destruction.

The long-held view of medicine has been that cartilage can not repair itself, at least not efficiently enough to make substantial improvement after it has been damaged. Little has been found to control or reverse the condition until recently.
 

Chondroprotective Agents
The results of more than a decade of European research has led to the emergence of a new class of nutrients.

According to the January issue of The Townsend Letter for Doctors, chondroprotective agents as defined by leading researchers, Ghosh and Smith, must include four actions. First, they must support or enhance macromolecular synthesis by chondrocytes. Second, they must support or enhance synthesis of hyaluronan by synoviocytes in synovial fluid. Third, they must inhibit degradative enzymes or inflammatory mediators. Lastly, they must remove or prevent formation of fibrin, thrombi and plaque in synovium and/or subchondral blood vessels.

The substance that can do all four of these functions are found inside cartilage and chondrocyte metabolism.

Two such clinically tested chondroprotective agents are Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfate.
 

Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine Sulfate, found in high concentrations in healthy joints, is critical to the integrity of joint tissues. Its main function is to stimulate the synthesis of cartilage components allowing joints to be repaired. It has been shown to exert a protective effect against joint destruction.

During the early 1980s, a total of 1500 people in nine European studies were given 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate three times per day and showed a significant reduction in joint pain, joint tenderness and joint swelling. The studies were so convincing that Glucosamine Sulfate has become the preferred treatment for osteoarthritis in several European countries.

Although 10 years of European research have been completed, Glucosamine Sulfate has not been available in the United States until recently. A U.S. study cited in July 1993 Townsend Letter showed a number of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who received 500 milligrams of Glucosamine Sulfate per day and 10 who received a placebo. At the conclusion of the 6-8 weeks, the patients taking Glucosamine Sulfate rated their treatments as excellent whereas the placebo patients rated their results as fair and poor.

When taken orally, this amino acid sugar is a small and highly absorbable molecule. Although it is neither an analgesic nor an anti-inflammatory, it initiates repair of damaged joint tissue. Double-blind studies have shown Glucosamine Sulfate relieves pain and inflammation and has passed tests required for safety and bioavailability.
 

Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin Sulfate, a mucopolysaccharide, contains a ling chain of chondrosine units containing glucoronic acid and glucosamine.

Although the body must expend energy to break down this large molecule, it has been shown to reduce pain and improve joint function in osteoarthritic patients.

According to the January Townsend article, in long-term clinical studies, osteoarthritis was slowed, radiographic evidence of reversal was found, and previously disabled subjects were able to return to work.
 

Other chondroprotective agents include
manganese, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids,


Joint health nutrients include
niacin, magnesium, pantothenic acid, boron, zinc,


and the antioxidants:
selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E, and especially vitamin C.

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