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

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 Aug

Association of urinary biomarker COLL2-1NO-2 with incident clinical and radiographic knee OA in overweight and obese women

__Objective:__ To investigate the association between urinary biomarker Coll2-1NO2 (uColl2-1NO2) and incident knee OA after 2.5 years follow-up in middle-aged overweight and obese women at high risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA). __Design:__ Data were used from PROOF, a randomized controlled trial with 2.5 years follow-up evaluating the preventive effects of a diet and exercise program and oral glucosamine sulphate (double blind and placebo controlled), on development of incident knee OA in women with body mass index≥27kg/m2 without signs of knee OA at baseline. Baseline and 2.5 years uColl2-1NO2 concentrations were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Primary outcome measure was incidence of knee OA in one or both knees, defined as incidence of either Kellgren & Lawrence grade ≥2, joint space narrowing of ≥1.0mm or knee OA according to the combined clinical and radiographic ACR-criteria. We used binary logistic regression for the association analyses. __Results:__ 254 women were available for analyses. At 2.5 years follow-up, incident knee OA was present in 72 of 254 women (28.3%). An inversed association was found between baseline uColl2-1NO2 and incident knee OA at 2.5 years (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99). The concentration at 2.5 years and the change in concentration over 2.5 years did not show significant associations with the outcome. Conclusions: In overweight and obese middle-aged women, not higher but lower baseline uColl2-1NO2 concentration was significantly associa

Regulation of the chondrocyte metabolism by a new divalent strontium salt (S12911)

peer reviewe

2002-525.aug

ABSTRACT. Objective. To investigate the effects of avocado (A)/soybean (S) unsaponifiables on the metabolism of human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes cultured in alginate beads over 12 days. Methods. Enzymatically isolated OA chondrocytes were cultured in alginate beads in a well defined culture medium for 12 days, in the presence or not of 10 -10 M interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß). DNA content was measured using a fluorometric method. Production of aggrecan (AGG), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß (MIP-1ß), IL-6, and IL-8 were assayed by specific enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassays. Prostaglandin (PG) E 2 was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay and nitrite by a spectrophotometric method based on the Griess reaction. A commercial avocado and soybean mixture of unsaponifiables (A1S2) and each component separately were tested in a range of 0.625 to 40.0 µg/ml. Results. After 12 days' incubation, A1S2 increased AGG synthesis and accumulation in alginate beads in a dose and time dependent manner. A1S2 promoted the recovery of aggrecan synthesis after 3 days of IL-1ß treatment. A1S2 was a potent inhibitor of basal and IL-1ß stimulated MMP-3 production. The procedure also weakly reversed the inhibitory effect of IL-1ß on TIMP-1 production. A1S2 inhibited basal production of MIP-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, NO•, and PGE 2 by OA chondrocytes and partially counteracted the stimulating effect of IL-1 on PGE 2 . Compared to avocado or soybean added separately, the mixture had a superior effect on NO• and IL-8 production. Conclusion. A1S2 stimulated aggrecan production and restored aggrecan production after IL-1ß treatment. In parallel, A1S2 decreased MMP-3 production and stimulated TIMP-1 production. These results suggest A1S2 could have structure-modifying effects in OA by inhibiting cartilage degradation and promoting cartilage repair. (J Rheumatol 2003;30:1825-3

CURCUMA LONGA AND BOSWELLIA SERRATA EXTRACTS MODULATE DIFFERENT AND COMPLEMENTARY PATHWAYS TO EXERT ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTI-OXIDATIVE AND ANTI-CATABOLIC ACTIVITIES ON CHONDROCYTES: DECIPHERING OF A TRANSCRIPTOMIC STUDY

peer reviewe