ObjectiveTo observe and study the clinical effect of glucosamine in the treatment of patients with knee articular cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsForty-six patients with knee articular cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis treated from January 2013 to June 2015 were selected as the research subjects, and they were randomly divided into control group (conventional treatment group, n=23) and observation group (conventional and glucosamine treatment group, n=23) . Then the Noyes classification and serum articular cartilage injury related indexes [cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3 and mouse tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1], inflammatory indexes [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)- 17 and IL-33] of the two groups before and after treatment were compared. ResultsIn the observation group, after treatment for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, Noyes grade was better than that in the control group, but with no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05) . In the observation group, after treatment for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, serum inflammatory markers serum COMP, MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 and other related indicators of cartilage damage and serum TNF-α, IL-17 and IL-33 were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05) . ConclusionIn the treatment of patients with knee articular cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis, glucosamine has active role for the improvement of articular cartilage injury and inflammatory stress state of patients.
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 investigate the effect of arthroscopic debridement combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. MethodsSixty-two patients with knee osteoarthritis treated between January 2013 and April 2015 were chosen to be our research subjects. They were randomly divided into trial group (n=31) and control group (n=31). The control group was treated with arthroscopic debridement, and the trial group was given glucosamine hydrochloride tablets for treatment, apart from arthroscopic debridement. We evaluated the clinical effects by visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Lysholm knee joint function score before, and 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery. ResultsOne week after surgery, the VAS score and Lysholm knee joint function score were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Four weeks, 3 months and 6 months after surgery, the VAS score of the trial group was respectively 3.08±0.91, 2.46±0.87, and 1.45±0.66, and was 5.47±1.02, 3.55±1.20, and 2.37±0.53 in the control group; the Lysholm score of the trial group was 80.55±2.24, 85.35±1.79, and 89.74±4.58, respectively, and of the control group was 72.55±4.47, 74.68±2.94, and 76.69±5.63. The VAS score and the Lysholm score of the trial group were both better than those of the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionArthroscopic debridement can alleviate the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, and oral administration of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets after surgery has obvious effects.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride combined with Tenghuangjiangu tablets on knee osteoarthritis. MethodsFrom August 2012 to February 2014, 180 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into three groups with 60 in each. Patients in group A were treated with glucosamine hydrochloride; patients in group B were treated with Tenghuangjiangu tablets; and patients in group C were treated with the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets. After the 12-week treatment, clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment were observed and compared with those before the treatment. ResultsThe twenty-meter walking pain, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the joint tenderness in the three groups 12 weeks after the treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal improved obviously compared with those before the treatment (P<0.05), and the difference between the results of 12 weeks after treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal was not significant (P>0.05). The improvement in group C was better than both group A and B with significant differences (P<0.05), while the difference between group A and B was not significant (P>0.05). There was no obvious abnormal routine blood and urine test result or damage of liver and lung functions during the treatment in all the three groups. Twelve weeks after treatment, six patients with abdominal ache were found in group A with an incidence of 10.0%; 5 abdominal ache and 2 diarrhea were in group B with a rate of 12.5%; and 4 abdominal ache and 3 diarrhea were in group C with a rate of 12.5%. All the patients completed the treatment. No significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions was found among the three groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of combined glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets is obvious on knee osteoarthritis with low incidence of adverse reactions.
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 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 observe the efficacy of self-behavior management combined with glucosamine hydrochloride for patients with early knee osteoarthritis. MethodsBetween October 2013 and March 2015, 240 patients with early knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to behavior therapy group (n=80) , drug treatment group (n=80) and combined treatment group (n=80) . Patients in the behavior therapy group were treated only by self-behavior management; patients in the drug treatment group were treated by glucosamine hydrochloride (0.48 g, three times per day); patients in the combined treatment group were treated by self-behavior management combined with glucosamine hydrochloride. The effect of treatment, adverse reactions, efficiency and expulsion rate were assessed 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. ResultsThe Lequesne index and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) significantly decreased from week 4 when compared with week 0 after treatment in the combined treatment group, and there was a significant difference between the combined treatment group and single therapy group at week 8 and 12 (P ＜ 0.05) . The Lequesne index in the behavior therapy group and drug treatment group began to significantly decrease from week 8, and the WOMAC score significantly decreased from week 4 in the drug treatment group and from week 8 in the behavior therapy group. The efficiency increased with the treatment time prolonged in all three groups, but the efficiency in the combined treatment group was significantly higher than the single therapy group (P ＜ 0.05) . The shedding rates in the behavior therapy group, drug treatment group and combined treatment group were respectively 12.5%, 7.5% and 6.3%, without statistically significant difference (P ＞ 0.05) . The adverse reaction rate was low in all the three groups. ConclusionThe self-behavior management combined with glucosamine hydrochloride is an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for early knee osteoarthritis.
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 analyze the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis, in order to provide the most appropriate treatment for lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis and low back pain treated between August 2014 and August 2015 were randomly divided into three groups with 40 in each. Group A was treated with glucosamine hydrochloride; group B accepted loxoprofen-sodium; and group C was given glucosamine hydrochloride plus loxoprofen-sodium. The courses of treatment were all 8 weeks in the three groups. Follow-up lasted for 16 weeks. Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue score (VAS) of the patients were compared before treatment, 8 weeks after treatment, and 8 weeks after withdrawal. ResultsThree patients in group B gave up treatment due to upper gastrointestinal moderate pain after taking the drug. Another 12 patients in group B suffered from upper gastrointestinal mild discomfort, and the symptoms alleviated after accepting symptomatic treatment. There were no drug-related adverse reactions in group A and C. A total of 117 patients completed the 8-week treatment and were all followed up. Before treatment, the ODI scores and VAS scores were not significantly different among the groups (P>0.05). After treatment, the scores changed significantly in all the groups (P<0.05). At week 8 after treatment, the clinical efficacy in group B and C was superior to that in group A, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group B and C (P>0.05). Eight weeks after withdrawal, the clinical efficacy in group A and C was better than that in group B, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A and C (P>0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride is effective for low back pain caused by lumbar facet joint osteoarthritis, which has no non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related complications. It is worthy of clinical application.
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.