Effects of oral treatment with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine in an experimental model of metacarpophalangeal osteoarthritis in horses
The study evaluated the effects of an orally administered combination therapy of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and glucosamine (GlcN) in an experimental model of osteoarthritis of the equine metacarpophalangeal joint (the forelimb fetlock joint). The aim of the study was to determine whether this orally administered combination therapy could slow or modify the progression of osteoarthritis.
Glucosamine is effective in managing pain in osteoarthritis patients, while chondroitin sulfate can stimulate the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, thereby reducing the breakdown of cartilage and extracellular matrix.
Sixteen mares participated in the study. The horses were divided into two groups: a treatment group (GT) that received an oral CS and GlcN combination, and a control group (GC) that did not receive treatment. Assessments were conducted at days 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120, and included physical examinations, ultrasound evaluations, radiographs, and measurement of synovial fluid biomarkers. Finally, arthroscopy and histological analysis of tissue samples were performed.
Results:
Oral treatment proved effective in relieving clinical signs and slowing the inflammatory process in an equine osteoarthritis model.
Clinical improvements: The treatment group showed a significant improvement in the lameness test (AAEP scale) at the end of the study (T4). On ultrasound, the GT group had lower synovitis and osteochondral lesion scores compared with the GC group (p < 0.001).
Biomarkers: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in synovial fluid remained more stable in the treatment group, suggesting a dampened inflammatory response. However, no significant difference was observed between groups in the biomarker of type II collagen degradation (CTX II).
Joint mobility: The treatment group better preserved the joint flexion angle, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.158).
Conclusions
According to the study, combination therapy with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can be effective in clinically modulating osteoarthritis, improving some parameters in the treatment group. However, the treatment may not fully change the catabolic process in cartilage tissue and the progressive damage, but it may slow and alleviate it.
