ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride on chronic lumbago and backache. MethodsWe selected 328 outpatients with chronic lumbago and backache diagnosed between May 2014 and May 2015, and randomly (with single blind method) divided them into study group (n=172) and control group (n=156). Patients in the control group were treated with ibuprofen and placebo, while those in the study group were treated with ibuprofen and glucosamine hydrochloride. The short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ) was used for investigation at three time points (before the treatment, one month and two months after the treatment). ResultsThe score of SF-MPQ in the study group was 64.34±23.35 before the treatment, 44.04±13.22 one month after the treatment, and 19.87±8.11 two months after the treatment. While in the control group, the results at those three time points were 65.19±24.12, 47.04±11.36, and 54.44±21.39, respectively. There was no obvious difference between the two groups one month after the treatment (P>0.05). The pain was alleviated in both of the two groups one month after the treatment, while the therapeutic effect in the study group was significantly better than that in the control group two months after the treatment (P<0.05). Archenteric complications were found in 3 patients (1.74%) in the study group and 2 (1.28%) in the control group without a significant difference (P>0.05). ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride may effectively alleviate the lumbago and backache without any obvious adverse reactions.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of the glucosamine hydrochloride combined with risedronate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) associated with cold pain of knee. MethodsThe clinical data of 50 KOA patients including 25 with cold pain and 25 without cold pain, treated in the Department of Rheumatology between January and December 2015 were collected. The clinical symptoms, Western Ontario and McMater Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis score, knee cold pain score, knee joint therml texture maps (TTM) score, serum osteoprotegerin (OPG), Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) , and sclerostin levels (SO) were recorded for comparison between patients with and without cold pain in order to investigate the correlation between these indicators and cold pain degree. Patients in the cold pain group were treated with glucosamine hydrochloride combined with risedronate. Follow-up lasted for six months, and the improvement of above indexes and the treatment safety were analyzed. ResultsThere were significant differences between the two groups in the disease course, TTM score of knee front and popliteal fossa, ΔTTM, DKK-1 and SO (P ＜ 0.05) . After 6 months of treatment, patients in the cold pain group improved significantly in WOMAC score, knee cold pain score, TTM score of knee front and popliteal fossa, ΔTTM, OPG, DKK-1 and SO (P ＜ 0.05) . ConclusionsAs one of the main complaints of patients with advanced OA, knee cold pain is associated with the metabolic activity of osteoclasts. It can be alleviated by the treatment with risedronate combined with glucosamine.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein for patients with knee osteoarthritis and the MRI variation. MethodsBetween January and June 2014, 90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized into three groups: group A (treated by glucosamine hydrochloride), group B (treated by diacerein) and group C (treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein). The score of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis, MRI cartilage injury Recht grading and the curative effects for bone marrow edema, joint cavity effusion and meniscus injury were compared before and after the treatment. ResultsThe scores of WOMAC after treatment in all the groups were improved, while the therapeutic effect of group C lasted longer when medical treatment suspended. The number of articular surface with different degrees of cartilage injury showed no statistically significant change in all three groups (P ＞ 0.05) . The state of bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion were improved with a statistically significant difference in all groups (P ＜ 0.05) . Patients with lateral meniscus degeneration in group A and patients with medial meniscal tear in group B both increased with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) . However, in group C, patients with lateral meniscus degeneration or meniscal tear decreased with statistically significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) . ConclusionsThe treatment for osteoarthritis by glucosamine hydrochloride is effective, and the curative effect lasts longer when treated by both glucosamine hydrochloride and diacerein. Glucosamine hydrochloride ameliorates the bone marrow edema and joint cavity effusion. Treatment together with diacerein leads to a better therapeutic effect for patients with meniscus degeneration, yet further studies are needed to prove its effects in ameliorating cartilage injury.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of combined traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodsA total of 180 KOA patients treated between January 2012 and June 2015 were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Chinese medicine group (group A, n=60) with acupuncture and irradiation therapy of specific electromagnetic wave therapeutic apparatus , western medicine group (group B, n=60) with oral glucosamine hydrochloride tablets and knee joint cavity injection of sodium hyaluronate, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group (group C, n=60) with treatments combining those in both group A and B. The treatment course was 6 weeks. The Western Ontario & McMaster University (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index score and total effective rate were evaluated before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment, end of treatment and 5 months after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the average improvement of WOMAC scores in the three groups was significantly different (P ＜ 0.05) . The total effective rate was 78.33% in group A, 83.33% in group B, and 91.67% in group C. The difference of total effective rate between group C and A, and between group C and B was statistically significant (P＜0.05) ; and it was also statistically significant between group A and B (P ＜ 0.05) . There were two cases of adverse reactions in group A, two in group B, and two in group C, and the reactions were all relatively mild without any serious adverse events. ConclusionsChinese medicine and western medicine are both effective and safe for the treatment of KOA. When they are combined, the effect is further enhanced with no increase of adverse reactions.
Objective To access the protective effects of glucosamine hydrochloride capsules (OTL) on articular cartilage in osteoarthritis of rabbit. Methods Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were divided randomly into three groups (n=12): sham group (group A), anterior cruciate l igament transection (ACLT)/normal sal ine group (group B), and ACLT/ OTL group (group C). Rabbits in groups B, C received ACLT on the right knee. Rabbits in group A were not given ACLT ascontrol. Group C received a daily administration of OTL at a dose of 150 mg/kg of body weight for 12 weeks; in contrast, group B received normal sal ine at the same dose. All rabbits were sacrificed after 12 weeks. The right femoral condyle were removed and observed at pathologic changes with HE staining and graded by Mankin’s scale, the expression level of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results All rabbits survived at the end of experiment and incision healed well. The gross observation showed that joint synovia increased and articular surface was smooth and integrity in group A; that ulcer was observed on the articular surface of group B; and that articular surface was smooth and integrity in group C. There were sigificant differences in articular cartilage scores between 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). The histological observation showed that the articular cartilage had normal structure and the cells arranged regularly in group A; that the articular cartilage became thin and the cells arranged irregularly in group B; and that the cells arranged with a clear layer and had regular shape in group C. The Mankin scores were 1.04 ± 0.13, 7.97 ± 0.12, and 2.81 ± 0.36 in groups A, B, and C, respectively; showing significant difference between 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the expressions of TGF-β1 were 50.62 ± 1.51, 24.81 ± 1.28, and 41.57 ± 1.69 and the expressions of IL-1β were 13.12 ± 1.21, 62.53 ±2.37, and 30.67 ± 1.28; showing significant differences between 3 groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion A daily administration ofOTL at a dose of 150 mg/kg for 12 weeks can partially decrease the expression levels of IL-1β and increase the expression levels of TGF-β1, which delays the development of osteoarthritis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in treating knee cartilage injury resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsWe selected 200 knee cartilage injury patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in our hospital from January 2011 to January 2015 as the research subjects. They were divided into control group (n=98) and observation group (n=102) according to the time of admission. The control group was treated with conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), while the observation group was treated with glucosamine hydrochloride tablets on the basis of DMARDs. The treatment effect was evaluated and compared between the two groups of patients 18, 36 and 54 weeks after the treatment. ResultsFifty-four weeks later, knee pain score of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05) . The observation group had a lower Noyes evaluation level than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05) . Adverse reaction in the observation group was 3.92% and it was 3.06% in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05) . ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride tablets combined with conventional anti-rheumatic treatment is effective for knee cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which can promote cartilage repair, and it is worthy of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of glucosamine hydrochloride combined with Tenghuangjiangu tablets on knee osteoarthritis. MethodsFrom August 2012 to February 2014, 180 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into three groups with 60 in each. Patients in group A were treated with glucosamine hydrochloride; patients in group B were treated with Tenghuangjiangu tablets; and patients in group C were treated with the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets. After the 12-week treatment, clinical efficacy and safety of the treatment were observed and compared with those before the treatment. ResultsThe twenty-meter walking pain, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the joint tenderness in the three groups 12 weeks after the treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal improved obviously compared with those before the treatment (P<0.05), and the difference between the results of 12 weeks after treatment and 4 weeks after withdrawal was not significant (P>0.05). The improvement in group C was better than both group A and B with significant differences (P<0.05), while the difference between group A and B was not significant (P>0.05). There was no obvious abnormal routine blood and urine test result or damage of liver and lung functions during the treatment in all the three groups. Twelve weeks after treatment, six patients with abdominal ache were found in group A with an incidence of 10.0%; 5 abdominal ache and 2 diarrhea were in group B with a rate of 12.5%; and 4 abdominal ache and 3 diarrhea were in group C with a rate of 12.5%. All the patients completed the treatment. No significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions was found among the three groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe therapeutic effect of combined glucosamine hydrochloride and Tenghuangjiangu tablets is obvious on knee osteoarthritis with low incidence of adverse reactions.
ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of combined glucosamine hydrochloride and antiosteoporosis drugs in the treatment of senile knee osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 120 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee treated from January 2014 to December 2015 were randomly divided into observation group and control group with 60 cases in each. The observation group received not only oral glucosamine hydrochloride, but calcium D3, alfacalcidol, and sodium phosphate for anti-osteoporosis treatment, while the control group was only given oral glucosamine hydrochloride. Lequesne score, curative effect and adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the beginning of treatment. ResultsWithin two weeks of treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the effective rate (P ＞ 0.05) . But four and six weeks after treatment, the efficiency in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (χ2=6.806, P ＜ 0.01; χ2=24.762, P ＜ 0.01) . Four and six weeks after treatment, Lequesne score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (t=2.199, P ＜ 0.05; t=4.748, P ＜ 0.001) . There was no significant difference in terms of adverse reactions between the two groups before and after treatment (χ2=0.617, P ＞ 0.05) . ConclusionCompared with single hydrochloric amino glucose treatment, glucosamine hydrochloride combined with anti-osteoporosis treatment for senile knee osteoarthritis has better treatment effect without increase in adverse drug reactions, and it is worth of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of oral glucosamine hydrochloride and cupping therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. MethodsA total of 113 patients treated from February 2013 to February 2015 were randomly divided into three groups. All the three groups of patients underwent conventional treatment. The Cupping treatment group had 39 patients; 37 patients were treated with oral glucosamine hydrochloride, and another 37 patients accepted combined treatments of cupping therapy with oral glucosamine hydrochloride. Six weeks after treatment, pain degree of the patients and Lequesne index were used to assess the clinical efficacy of the treatments. Patients who had oral glucosamine hydrochloride underwent routine examinations of blood and urine, and received liver and kidney examinations. One year later, telephone follow-up was conducted to observe long-term efficacy. ResultsSix weeks after treatment, the combined treatment group was significantly better than the other two groups in terms of pain relief degree and effective rate (P ＜ 0.05) . One year after treatment, the combined treatment group and the oral treatmentgroup had a significant advantage over the cupping treatment group (P ＜ 0.05) , while there was no significant difference between the combined treatment group and oral treatment group. ConclusionsThe combined oral glucosamine hydrochloride and cupping therapy has an obvious short-term efficacy, which quickly relieves pain and improves the activity function of the knee. Oral glucosamine hydrochloride has a very good effect in the long-term treatment of osteoarthritis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of early knee osteoarthritis. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 172 patients with knee osteoarthritis treated between March 2007 and August 2013. The patients were divided into observation group (n=82) and control group (n=90) according to their treatment. Patients in the control group only underwent arthroscopic debridement and cartilage defect microfracture surgery, while those in the observation group underwent arthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride. The Lysholm knee functional scores, the Lequesne index and X ray image were used to compare the clinical efficacy between the two groups. ResultsThe postoperative symptoms of both the two groups were significantly alleviated. The Lequesne index was not significantly different between the two groups before surgery, and 1 and 3 months after surgery (P>0.05), but it was significantly difference between the two groups 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). Before surgery, the Lysholm score was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), and the score increased significantly after surgery in both the two groups (P<0.05). One and 3 months after surgery, the Lysholm score was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), but it was significantly higher in the observation group 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery. ConclusionArthroscopic microfracture surgery combined with oral glucosamine hydrochloride is effective in treating patients with early knee osteoarthritis, and the clinical efficacy becomes more significant with the time of treatment.