Effects of intra-articular administration of glucosamine and a peptidyl-glucosamine derivative in a rabbit model of experimental osteoarthritis: a pilot study

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effects of glucosamine (GlcN) and its N-acetyl-phenylalanine derivative (NAPA) in Vitamin A model of osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbits. GlcN or NAPA or saline solution was intra-articularly administered in rabbit OA knees. Histological analysis revealed that treatment with GlcN or NAPA was associated with more homogeneous chondrocyte cellularity, absence of fissures and fragmentation and more intense staining of the matrix with Alcian Blue compared to the articular surfaces of the knees treated with saline solution. Comparative in vitro study performed on rabbit primary chondrocytes revealed that GlcN and NAPA were also able to counteract the IL-1beta-upregulation of genes coding for metalloproteases and inflammatory cytokines. Our preliminary in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that GlcN and NAPA could play a disease-modifying protective role in OA by an anti-catabolic effect and an anti-inflammatory activity on chondrocytes.

A peptidyl-glucosamine derivative affects IKKα kinase activity in human chondrocytes

“…Previously, we found that both in immortalized cell line and in rabbit primary chondrocytes, GlcN and NAPA were able to counteract the TNFα upregulation of some genes, such as TNFR -1 and TNFR -2, TRAF -6 and IGFBP -6, whose transcription is under the control of NF-κB [12,13]. To explore whether GlcN and NAPA affect the NF-κB pathway in HTB-94 cells, we also analyzed the expression of other NF-κB-regulated genes.…”

“…In the in vivo study, we found that both GlcN and NAPA were very effective in reducing cartilage changes induced in rabbit knee by intra-articular injection of vitamin A [12]. In the in vitro study, GlcN and NAPA were able to counteract the effects induced by inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β, both in human primary chondrocytes and in immortalized cell line lbvpa55 [13,14].…”

Intra‐articular delivery of glucosamine for treatment of experimental osteoarthritis created by a medial meniscectomy in a rat model

“…In vivo models are necessary to evaluate potential OA disease modifying interventions. Intra‐articular administration of GlcN in a Vitamin A induced rabbit OA model reduced some aspects OA progression . After treatment with GlcN, the articular cartilage exhibited more homogenous cellularity and increased staining of the cartilage matrix with Alcian Blue although histological scoring was not possible.…”

Effects of intra‐articular sodium pentosan polysulfate and glucosamine on the cytology, total protein concentration and viscosity of synovial fluid in horses

“…10,15 In contrast, a recent study using GLC in combination with HA and chondroitin sulfate, administered intravenously in an osteochondral fragment model of OA in horses, reported significant improvement in lameness scores and improvements in gross cartilage and lesion parameters. 17,18 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an IA injection of a combination of PPS and GLC on the cytological parameters, total protein (TP) concentration and viscosity of synovial fluid in adult horses. [3][4][5][6] In Australia, PPS is registered for intramuscular and intra-articular (IA) use in the horse, although there are no reports yet on the efficacy or potential side effects of IA use.…”

“…5 There are experimental data from investigations of IA injection of GLC for treatment of OA in animals and in humans, but no published reports of IA use in horses. 17,18 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an IA injection of a combination of PPS and GLC on the cytological parameters, total protein (TP) concentration and viscosity of synovial fluid in adult horses. We hypothesised that there would be no adverse effects of the drug combination on the synovial fluid parameters and that the combination of drugs would improve synovial fluid viscosity.…”