.Glycosaminoglycans are the most important components in the matrix of molecules in vertebrate connective tissues.

In protein functionality, chondroitin sulfate, the second most present and most heterogeneous group after heparan sulfate among glycosaminoglycans (linear anionic polysaccharides), plays a key role among glycosylation components.

This study explored the effects of chondroitin sulfate on knee osteoarthritis in a 1-year, randomized, double-blind dose comparison study. In the subgroup with severe symptoms (Lequesne index ≥8), the chondroitin sulfate dose of 1560 mg/day improved pain faster after 6 and 9 months of therapy. However, no dose-related effects on cartilage oligomeric matrix protein or hyaluronic acid levels were found (1).

This review evaluates published studies on the effect of glucosamine salts and chondroitin sulfate preparations on the progression of knee or hip osteoarthritis. Several potential confounding factors, including response to placebo, use of prescription drugs versus over-the-counter pills or dietary supplements, or use of glucosamine sulfate versus glucosamine hydrochloride, may have relevance when attempting to interpret the seemingly contradictory results of several clinical trials. Based on the results of recent randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses, we can conclude that glucosamine sulfate (but not glucosamine hydrochloride) and chondroitin sulfate have small to moderate symptomatic efficacy in osteoarthritis, although this is still debated. Regarding the structure-modifying effect, there is convincing evidence that glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate can interfere with the progression of osteoarthritis (2).

Chondroitin sulfate has numerous roles in matrix stabilization and cellular regulation and specific cellular regulatory roles that control tissue function and homeostasis. Studies in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans have provided extensive information on neural interconnectivity and the role of ECM and its PGs in neural development and tissue morphogenesis in a whole organism environment (3)

The pharmacological effects described in this study indicate that chondroitin sulfate is a potential molecule for further studies on the relationship between the structures and functions of chondroitin sulfates as antioxidants (4).

A study of patients aged 40 to 99 years tested the hypothesis that the use of chondroitin sulfate may reduce the risk of acute myocardial infarction.  A total of 23,585 incident cases of acute myocardial infarction and 117,405 controls were included. The results support a cardioprotective effect of chondroitin sulfate, whereas glucosamine appears to be neutral. Protection was notable among subgroups at high cardiovascular risk (5).

Chondroitin sulfate studies

Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₂₁NO₁₅S

Molecular Weight: 463.37 g/mol

CAS: 9007-28-7     9082-07-9     25322-46-7     39455-18-0

UNII 

EC Number: 232-696-9    246-844-5    609-686-1    618-658-8

DSSTox Substance ID: DTXSID8031021

NACRES:  NA.24

Sinonimi: 

• Chondroitin sulfate sodium salt
• Chondroitin sulfate C
• Chondroitin sulfuric acid

References__________________________________________________________________

(1) Morita M, Yamada K, Date H, Hayakawa K, Sakurai H, Yamada H. Efficacy of Chondroitin Sulfate for Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: A One-Year, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Clinical Study in Japan. Biol Pharm Bull. 2018 Feb 1;41(2):163-171. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b17-00556. 

(2) Bruyere O, Reginster JY. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate as therapeutic agents for knee and hip osteoarthritis. Drugs Aging. 2007;24(7):573-80. doi: 10.2165/00002512-200724070-00005.

(3) Hayes AJ, Melrose J. Neural Tissue Homeostasis and Repair Is Regulated via CS and DS Proteoglycan Motifs. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021 Aug 2;9:696640. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2021.696640.

(4) Medeiros LHC, Vasconcelos BMF, Silva MB, Souza-Junior AA, Chavante SF, Andrade GPV. Chondroitin sulfate from fish waste exhibits strong intracellular antioxidant potential. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2021 Jul 16;54(10):e10730. doi: 10.1590/1414-431X2020e10730. 

(5) Mazzucchelli R, Rodríguez-Martín S, García-Vadillo A, Gil M, Rodríguez-Miguel A, Barreira-Hernández D, García-Lledó A, de Abajo FJ. Risk of acute myocardial infarction among new users of chondroitin sulfate: A nested case-control study. PLoS One. 2021 Jul 12;16(7):e0253932. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253932.