Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. Chondroitin sulfate reduces cartilage loss by 40% and bone marrow lesions by 35%.
Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disorder and the leading cause of pain and disability in the USA (1). Osteoarthritis affects more than one-half of adults over 65 years of age (2) and is estimated to cost our healthcare system more than $86 billion each year (3). With no known cure for arthritis, treatment is aimed at reducing pain and preventing further reductions in joint health and mobility (8). Exercise have been found to help maintain joint health(8), but additional treatments are needed.
Now a new study (9)has found that chondroitin sulfate may help joint health. In the study, 69 patients between the ages of 40 and 80 with knee osteoarthritis were first given either 800 mg of chondroitin sulfate or placebo per day for 6 months and then both groups were given 800 mg per day of chondroitin for another 6 months. Before the study, at 6 months and after the study, the patients had a knee MRI done to measure knee cartilage volume and bone marrow lesions (that occur from the bone-on-bone friction with arthritis).
The researchers found that those in the chondroitin group suffered 39% less cartilage loss at 6 months (2.67% vs. 4.67% loss, p = 0.03) and 40% less at 12 months (3.71% vs. 6.12%, p = 0.021) compared to the placebo group.
The researchers observed that the chondroitin sulfate in the 2nd half of the study for the placebo group led to a significantly less rate of cartilage loss compared to the first 6 months (1.45% loss in months 6-12 vs. 4.67% loss in months 1-5). The 2nd 6 months also benefited the chondroitin group, with a 1.04% loss in months 6-12 compared to a 2.67% loss in months 1-5.
For bone marrow lesions, although the chondroitin group had a 35% lower bone marrow lesion score at 6 months (0.13 vs. 0.20), the results were not statistically significant (p = 0.462). But there was a 161% lower score at 12 months (-0.57 vs. 0.43, p = 0.062) compared to placebo, suggesting it may take at least 6 months of chondroitin sulfate supplementation to benefit bone marrow lesions.
For the researchers, “These findings suggest a joint structure protective effect of Chondroitin Sulfate.”
Source: Wildi et al. Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as 6 months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study using MRI.Ann Rheum Dis 2011;70:982–989. doi:10.1136/ard.2010.140848
This paper is freely available under the BMJ journals unlocked scheme. See http://ard.bmj.com/info/unlocked.dtl
Click here to read the full text study.
Posted April 27, 2011.
References:
- Lawrence RC, National Arthritis Data Workgroup: Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Part II. Arthritis Rheum 2008, 58:26-35.
- D.T. Felson, An update on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of osteoarthritis, Radiol Clin North Am 42 (2004), pp. 1-9
- Arthritis Foundation Website.
- Kim LS. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online November 23.
- American College of Rheumatology 2005 Annual Conference – San Diego, CA. See the American College of Rheumatology website.
- “Human Proof that cod liver oil can really slow the onset of arthritis” posted on the Psych Central website.
- Ng N. Efficacy of a progressive walking program and glucosamine sulphate supplementation on osteoarthritic symptoms of the hip.
- McAlindon TE. Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Quality Assessment and Meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association 2000; 283:1469 – 1475.
- Wildi LM. Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as 6 months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study using MRI. Ann Rheum Dis (2011). doi:10.1136/ard.2010.140848.
