Clean Run Magazine - May 2007 - 64

>Joint Supplements Glucosamine and How They Work Glucosamine is an amino monosaccharide unit of glycosaminoglycan, which is the building block of the cartilage matrix seen within joints. Glucosamine has been proposed in the Congress of Rheumatology as a slow-acting agent in OA based on its pharmacologic and clinical profile. Its mechanism of action may involve inhibition of inflammatory enzyme activity and stimulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) synthesis. The actual chemical makeup of glucosamine accounts for its favorable absorption through the gastrointestinal tract and favorable cartilage reaction. However, there are limited studies within living organisms or whole dogs, thereby also limiting documentation of its disease modification effects. glycosaminoglycans in cartilage found on the moving surfaces of joints, or articular cartilage. Its bioavailability is well documented with up to 70% absorption after oral administration in animals and humans. Published data indicate that chondroitin sulfate has variable effects including contributing to a pool of substrate available for cartilage matrix deposition, inhibition of proteases, stimulation of glycosaminoglycan, and collagen synthesis. The efficacy of chondroitin sulfate in protecting articular cartilage has been documented in many animal models. For example, Uebelhart et al examined oral and intramuscular delivered agents in an inflammatory model of OA in the rabbit. Ingestion of the chondroitin sulfate resulted in lowered cartilage degeneration. Chondroitin sulfate Glucosamine/Chondroitin Combination cellular studies, many in vivo studies have been performed evaluating the efficacy of the glucosamine chondroitin sulfate combination. Hanson et al treated equine OA with a combination of glucosamine and low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate with substantial improvement in clinical symptoms, and Canapp et al reported the same combination has a significant antiinflammatory effect against chemicallyinduced inflammatory synovitis in dogs. Clinical trials in humans are numerous, more so in Europe than in the United States. The remarkable acceptance of these agents and recent positive clinical trials in the United States attest to their efficacy in treatment of OA. Recent reviews suggest that they potentially may become a basic drug for OA therapy. However, because these compounds are dietary supplements, purity is dependent on the manufacturer and varies greatly. Cosequin contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate, long used in animals and humans to support and maintain cartilage health. In addition to the glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate that are found in Cosequin, the new product Dasuquin contains the ingredient avocado/ Chondroitin sulfate is a long-chain polymer of repeating disaccharide units containing galactosamine sulfate and glucuronic acid and constitutes the majority of When given in combination, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate reportedly support cartilage production and protect existing cartilage by inhibiting enzymes in the joints that break down cartilage. In addition to the multiple in vitro, or CONGRATULATIONS ROBIN COMP-ZELLES AND CH/MACH LABARGE’S QUITE THE DAREDEVIL, TD, UD © TAMARA FANTER, FOTOPUP CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY ANDIE ZELLES, BETH AND JOHN ELLIOTT, TINA FIELDS, JAN BROIDA, JENNIE MULDOON, DEE AND BOB OLSON, DEE GAJDA, COLLEEN DEVORE, LISE AND CHARLES MASON, LIZ AND DAN STARMACH, BOB AND LEE MELKA, TERI PINNEY, KATHY GUERRA, NORA MERHAR, MARY DRENNAN, PAM DURAL, JAMIE BROWN, MAXINE BRINKER, BECKY CEMBROWICZ, KELLEE FISHER, SYLVIA KRPAN, SHERRY WALKER, BILL AND LINDA PARRILLI 64 Clean Run | May 07
Clean Run Magazine - May 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine - May 2007
