Comparative Effects of Prophylactic and Post-Induction Glucosamine on Experimental Osteoarthritis in Rabbits

Introduction: Glucosamine is a disease modifying osteoarthritis agent commonly administered in humans and dogs.Aim: This study compared the effect of prophylactic and post-induction administration of glucosamine on experimental osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbits.Materials and Methods: Twenty female rabbits were assigned into four groups of five rabbits each. OA was induced using ovariectomy method. Group A rabbits were induced with OA but left untreated, while Group B rabbits were administered glucosamine (75mg/kg) daily for 12 weeks after radiographic confirmation of OA. Group C were neither induced with OA nor treated, while Group D were pretreated with glucosamine daily until OA confirmation. Gaits, knee radiographs and blood were evaluated before ovariectomy and at 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 weeks post ovariectomy (PO). Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione transferase (GST), total cholesterol (tCHOL), total triglycerides (TRIG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined. Results were compared using analysis of variance and considered significant at p < 0.05.Results: The gait assessment score was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in Group A compared with Groups B, C, and D at 24 weeks post-operation (PO). In contrast, the radiographic score at 24 weeks PO was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Group A than in Groups B, C, and D.With regard to oxidative stress markers, the plasma concentration of TBARS was highest in Group B and lowest in Groups A and D. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) between weeks 4 and 12 PO. However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), total cholesterol (tCHOL), triglycerides (TRIG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) between the control and treatment groups throughout the entire observation period.Conclusion: Glucosamine alters lipid peroxidation in rabbits OA. However, there is no advantage of prophylactic administration of glucosamine on OA.