Taking glucosamine supplements does not help stop the deterioration of knee cartilage, a new study has found.
The widespread condition osteoarthritis can cause painful knee bone marrow lesions, also known as bone bruises. Many patients try alternative therapies such as glucosamine to treat their joint pain.
Dr C. Kent Kwoh from the University of Arizona, USA, and colleagues undertook a trial of 201 participants with mild to moderate pain in one or both knees. Each participant took either 1,500 mg of a glucosamine hydrochloride in a 16-ounce bottle of diet lemonade, or placebo, daily for 24 weeks.
At the end of the trial, participants were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess cartilage damage. This showed no decrease in cartilage damage in participants taking glucosamine group, compared with those on placebo.
In 70% of the knees scanned there was no change in bone marrow lesions. Eighteen percent worsened and 10% improved. The placebo group actually showed a slightly greater improvement in bone marrow lesions.
Urine tests were carried out, and glucosamine was not found to decrease urinary excretion of a predictor of cartilage destruction called C-telopeptides of type II collagen.
Findings were published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology yesterday (11 March). The authors say this study is the first to investigate whether glucosamine supplements prevent the worsening of cartilage damage or bone marrow lesions.
"Our study found no evidence that drinking a glucosamine supplement reduced knee cartilage damage, relieved pain, or improved function in individuals with chronic knee pain," they concluded.
Kwoh, C. K. et al. The Joints on Glucosamine (Jog) Study: The Effect of Oral Glucosamine on Joint Structure, A Randomized Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatology 11 March 2014 doi: 10.1002/art.38314 [abstract]
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