Chondroitin sulfates (CS 4 & 6): efficacy and tolerance

Authors
Citation
T. Conrozier, Chondroitin sulfates (CS 4 & 6): efficacy and tolerance, PRESSE MED, 27(36), 1998, pp. 1862-1865
Citations number
22
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
PRESSE MEDICALE
ISSN journal
07554982 → ACNP
Volume
27
Issue
36
Year of publication
1998
Pages
1862 - 1865
Database
ISI
SICI code
0755-4982(19981121)27:36<1862:CS(4&6>2.0.ZU;2-B
Abstract
Chondroprotective drugs: long-acting chondroprotective drugs have a symptom atic effect. They are only effective in subjects with osteoarthritis and ha ve no pure pain relieving effect. They act within several weeks, improve fu nctional manifestations and have a remnant effect. Chondroitin sulfates 4&6: CS 4&6 are glycosaminoglycans which participate i n the matrix structure of cartilage. They are well absorbed after oral inta ke. They have a dose-dependent inhibitor effect in vitro an proteoglycan an d collagen catabolism and have been shown to stimulate matrix synthesis. Se veral clinical studies have demonstrated the chondroprotective efficacy of CS 4&6 in osteoarthritis involving the hip, knee and finger joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee: A controlled randomized double-blind study venu s placebo was conducted in 104 patients with femorotibial osteoarthritis. T he objective was to demonstrate that CS 4&6 given orally in a sequential re gimen at the dose of 800 mg/d has a beneficial effect both in terms of clin ical manifestations and in terms of the anatomic progression in patients wi th osteoarthritis of the knee. The main efficacy criteria was the Lequesne functional score. After 1 year of treatment with CS 4&6, the functional imp airment was reduced by approximately 50%, a significant improvement over pl acebo for all clinical criteria. Tolerance was excellent or good in more th an 90% of the cases. A structure modulator: This study suggests that chondroitin sulfates act as structure modulators as shown by the improvement in the interarticular spa ce visualized on the x-rays of patients treated with CS 4&6.