New Study Confirms Not All Chondroitin Sulfates Are the Same.

EDGEWOOD, Md. -- A study presented in January at the 6th ICRS Symposium in San Diego confirmed that there are significant differences in activity between the various chondroitin sulfate (CS) ingredients found in joint health supplements. The research delineated below was supported by Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.

The study compared effects of ten commercially available CS raw materials to a reference standard, which was the CS used in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) GAIT study, the largest federally funded trial evaluating clinical effects of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride. In the NIH GAIT study, safety and effectiveness evaluations were conducted on both agents individually as well as in combination. One of the outcomes of the study showed that the response rate to the combination of glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate in those study participants with moderate to severe knee pain was 79.2%, statistically higher than that of a placebo agent (54.3%) and higher than Celecoxib (69.4%).

The NIH GAIT study raised awareness that there are differences in raw materials as the NIH used a rigorous selection process in choosing both the chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride used.

In the ICRS presented study, researchers sought to determine if differences exist in the ability of various CS raw materials to inhibit gene expression of three mediators (COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta) involved in cartilage breakdown. Effects were assessed in both cartilage cells (chondrocytes) and THP-1 monocyte-macrophage- like cells. Of the ten materials tested, only one approximated the reference standard by inducing a greater than 50% reduction in the gene expression of all three markers. Two had no detectable activity. The remaining materials had inconsistent effects on each of the markers.

The results of the study are important in that using cell-based assays, it was verified that materials from different sources and manufacturers vary widely with respect to their biologic activity. This observation may account for variability in clinical efficacy. Therefore, it is important for the consumer selecting and the physician recommending these products that the choice of combination CS and glucosamine hydrochloride products be based on the quality and pharmaceutical grade of the CS in the product.

Chondroitin sulfate is available in many U.S. dietary supplement products. Shown in published research to reduce joint pain and improve mobility, CS may differ in its effectiveness due to its source, size (molecular weight), and degree of sulfation.

The CS selected for the GAIT study was supplied by Bioiberica SA, who provides this material exclusively in the U.S. to Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. for its joint health product, Cosamin(R)DS.

About Nutramax Laboratories, Inc.: Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. researches, develops, and markets products to support the active lifestyles of people. Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. Consumer Products Division markets Cosamin(R)DS joint health supplement that contains the exclusive chondroitin sulfate selected for inclusion by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) GAIT study and supplied to NIH by Bioiberica SA.. Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. was happy to be one of five testing sites (and the only glucosamine HCl/chondroitin sulfate manufacturer) evaluating blinded ingredients for the GAIT study. CosaminDS is the number one recommended brand by orthopedic surgeons and rheumatologists.(1)

(1) SLACK Incorporated Market Research Survey, June 2005, July 2003, November 2001 and April 2000. Surveys conducted of Orthopedic Surgeons & Rheumatologists relating to glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate brands.