Efficacy of glucosamine sulfate in lowering serum level of interleukin-1β in symptomatic primary knee osteoarthritis: Clinical and laboratory study

Abstract

Objective: To identify the effect of α-d glucosamine sulfate (GS) on serum level of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in patients with symptomatic primary knee OA. Methods: Sixty patients (mean age = 52.2 ± 8.6 years), fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria of idiopathic knee OA, were randomized to receive either 1500 mg α-d GS and 1200 mg Ibuprofen (group I), or only 1200 mg Ibuprofen (group II) daily for 12 weeks. Patients were followed up by the Visual Analogue knee pain Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) functional index and quantitative detection of IL-1β serum levels. Reference serum level of IL-1β was determined in 20 matched healthy volunteers. Results: Group I showed significant progressive improvement in pain VAS and total WOMAC scale, pain, stiffness and function subscales during the follow up visits compared to group II. At baseline, both groups had significantly higher IL-1β serum level than the control group. On follow up group I showed significant progressive reduction in IL-1β serum level with a final level that was significantly lower than group II and was not significantly higher than the control group. In group II the reductions in IL-1β serum level did not reach the level of statistical significance and the final level persisted significantly higher than that of the control group. Conclusion: Adding α-d GS to treatment of primary symptomatic knee OA could relieve symptoms, improve function and affect some of the disease mechanisms.

Keywords

• Glucosamine sulfate
• Interleukin-1β
• Primary knee osteoarthritis