Glucosamine, Chondroitin indicate favorable response in osteoarthritis patients

07/10/05 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) last week released an abstract of a highly anticipated clinical study involving the use of glucosamine and chondroitin, indicating favorable support for use of both ingredients by osteoarthritis patients to relieve pain. The study findings will be reported at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Annual Scientific Meeting in November. In addition, preliminary results of the European Glucosamine Unum in Die Efficacy (GUIDE) Trial were released, also indicating a favorable glucosamine finding for osteoarthritis.

Cargill, manufacturer of REGENASURE glucosamine and OptaFlex natural chondroitin, is encouraged by the clinical trial results and what they may mean for its customers and consumers.

“Cargill developed OptaFlex™ natural chondroitin and REGENASURE® glucosamine because we’re committed to helping our food and beverage customers develop products that address a wide range of consumer health states, including joint and bone health, heart health and weight management,” said John Geisler, Cargill corporate vice president.

OptaFlex™ chondroitin was created in response to consumer demand for natural chondroitin (Cargill’s proprietary process eliminates the need for organic solvents). In addition, Cargill created REGENASURE® glucosamine, a unique fermentation-derived glucosamine that is produced from a vegetable source. It is the only non-animal, non-shellfish derived glucosamine, making it suitable for vegetarians and people with shellfish allergies.

The multi-centered Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT), sponsored by NIH, involved nearly 1,500 osteoarthritis patients who were supplemented with 1,500/mg/day glucosamine hydrochloride and/or 1,200 mg/day chondroitin sulfate vs. 200 mg/day of a common Cox-2 inhibitor or placebo for 24 weeks. Preliminary results indicate that both the Cox-2 inhibitor and the glucosamine-chondroitin combination significantly reduced knee pain compared to a placebo, and that all treatments were well-tolerated by the study subjects.

The European-sponsored GUIDE Trial, a multi-centered clinical study, compared the effect of glucosamine sulfate (1,500 mg/day) vs. acetaminophen (3,000 mg/day) or a placebo over 24 weeks on various pain and mobility indices of osteoarthritis.

The abstracts of both trials are posted on the ACR web site (www.rheumatology.org/annual/index.asp) and will be formally presented at the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 12-17, 2005.

Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 124,000 employees in 59 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed.

http://www.cargill.com/news/news_releases/051005_glucosaminetrial.htm