Chondroitin & Glucosamine
Glucosamine and chondroitin are important components of cartilage, the tissue that protects the joints. Both glucosamine and chondroitin are naturally occurring substances; the body produces them itself. Glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly used as dietary supplements to support the joints.
Glucosamine acts as a mild anti-inflammatory. It is also needed by the joints to produce components of cartilage.
Chondroitin is an important basic component of cartilage. Chondroitin contributes to water retention – the retention of moisture – and the elasticity of cartilage. As a result, the cartilage can optimally absorb shocks and the tissues surrounding it are optimally nourished. Like glucosamine, with which it is often given in combination, chondroitin may also help reduce the production of substances that trigger inflammation, since inflammation in a joint is destructive to the joint.
The joint
Normally, the two bones of a joint, such as the head and socket of the hip joint, fit together precisely. To protect the bones from damage, their ends are covered with a smooth layer of cartilage – an elastic form of connective tissue that can withstand high pressure. The bones are held together by a joint capsule. The inside of this joint capsule contains the synovial membrane – a soft tissue that lines the inside of the joint capsule. This synovial membrane secretes a fluid: synovial fluid. This fluid keeps the joint moving smoothly and supplies the cartilage with the nutrients it needs.
Joint problems
As animals grow older, or when osteoarthritis or other joint problems occur, the cartilage becomes less smooth and wears down. When this happens, the bones can no longer move smoothly against each other. The resilience and elasticity of the cartilage also decrease, placing more pressure on the joint capsule. As a result, the joint capsule has to absorb the shocks and becomes damaged more quickly. This can cause inflammation in the joints. Because inflammation develops in the joint, the joint capsule produces less synovial fluid; less synovial fluid means that the joints are less well ‘lubricated’ and that fewer nutrients are available to the cartilage.
In response to these problems, the bones of the joint may begin to grow abnormally, creating a larger weight-bearing surface. When the abnormally grown parts of the bone come under pressure, this causes pain.
For various joint problems, supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin may provide support and potentially relieve pain.
Research
Medical studies in humans have shown that glucosamine contributes to the formation and repair of cartilage. Glucosamine also reduces inflammation and helps prevent cartilage deterioration. Chondroitin improves the elasticity of cartilage and also reduces painful swelling in the joints. Research in dogs has shown that glucosamine can reduce pain in animals with osteoarthritis.
Taking glucosamine and chondroitin in combination may reduce joint pain and improve mobility. They may also have a positive effect on cartilage metabolism, and both substances may have anti-inflammatory properties. Long-term treatment with these nutrients may even alter the progression of osteoarthritis.
In addition, administering glucosamine through the diet may contribute to collagen synthesis.
Other research has shown that supplementation with glucosamine and chondroitin can relieve arthritis-related symptoms.
Several studies have shown that adding glucosamine and chondroitin to the diet produces a significant difference in terms of pain, weight-bearing and the overall condition of dogs with osteoarthritis. The substances may also reduce subjectively assessed pain; this occurs after approximately 90 days. The effect of the nutrients was greatest after 150 days.
A study involving 32 adult dogs of different breeds found that preventive treatment with glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate can reduce various symptoms of induced synovitis – inflammation of the joint lining, the synovial membrane –. Dogs that received preventive treatment with glucosamine and chondroitin had less scintigraphic activity – scintigraphy is an examination in which a radioactive substance is used to investigate skeletal disorders – in the soft-tissue phase. These dogs also had a significantly lower lameness score.
It is important to administer glucosamine and chondroitin together. This is because the substances have a synergistic effect, meaning that they enhance each other’s effects when given in combination.
