Chondroitin Sulfate

General Info

Active Forms
Chondroitin sulfate (CS), as chondroitin-4-sulphate and chondroitin-6-sulphate, found naturally combined with Type II collagen.

Absorption
Absorption is from the gastrointestinal tract.

Dietary Sources
There is no dietary source. As a supplement, it is manufactured from shark, porcine, and bovine cartilage.

Dosage Info

Dosage Range 200-2,000mg daily. Most Common Dosage 600mg, 3 times a day, with meals. For maintenance: 300mg, 2 to 3 times per day, with meals. Dosage Forms Tablets, capsules, and nasal spray.		Adult RDI None established Adult ODA None established		RDA None established

Overview

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is found naturally in the body and is one of the critical compounds in connective tissue which are responsible for building and supporting the substance of cartilage found in joints and elsewhere. CS is also found in the walls of blood vessels. Because CS attracts water, it is an important factor in keeping cartilage fluid and elastic; these are important features of healthy joints. With aging, the water content of cartilage decreases, causing problems in joint mobility. Acute traumatic injury, arthritis, malnutrition, and other conditions can also damage cartilage. CS is a nutritional supplement that provides support for strong, healthy cartilage and joints.

CS is a glycosaminoglycan, which plays a role in the physiology of joint cartilage. Glycosaminoglycans are generally able to inhibit enzymes present in the synovial fluid, which may damage or inflame joint cartilage (elastase, hyaluronidase). CS's role in halting or reversing joint degeneration appears to be due to its ability to act as a substrate for, and to stimulate the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid.

CS has been reported to act synergistically with glucosamine and galactosamine(1) though studies are not conclusive.

Toxicities & Precautions

Absorption is from the gastrointestinal tract.

General
There is no known toxicity associated with chondroitin sulfate.

Functions in the Body

Uses

Clinical Applications
	Osteoarthritis
	Snoring
	Sports Injury

Anti-inflammatory
Inhibits enzymes that damage the joint.(2)

Cartilage
Repair and maintenance of cartilage/connective tissue.

Clinical Applications

Osteoarthritis
Chondrotin sulphate has been shown to reduce symtoms of OA over an extended period of use.(3, 4, 5, 6) Chondroitin has also shown positive results when used in combination with glucosamine.(7)

Snoring
Results of a small placebo-controlled pilot study on snoring using chondroitin sulfate as a nasal spray were encouraging. 7 individuals were evaluated during sleep and the time spent snoring was reduced by a statistically significant percentage.(8)

Sports Injury
Research in animals suggests that CS supplementation may be useful in the healing of joint injuries in athletes.(9)

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Since humans can synthesize CS, there is no deficiency condition directly associated with it. However, endogenous production of CS tends to decrease with age.(10)

Footnotes

¹ Kim JJ, Howard H. Effects of D-Glucosamine Concentration on the Kinetics of Mucopolysaccharide Biosynthesis in Cultured Chick Embryo Vertebral Cartilage. J Biol Chem. May1974;249(10):3091-97.
² Rovetta G, Monteforte P, Molfetta G, Balestra V. A two-year study of chondroitin sulfate in erosive osteoarthritis of the hands: behavior of erosions, osteophytes, pain and hand dysfunction. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(1):11-6.
View Abstract
³ Morelli V. Alternative therapies for traditional disease states: osteoarthritis. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Jan 15;67(2):339-44.
View Abstract
⁴ Morreale P. Comparison of the antiinflammatory efficacy of chondroitin sulfate and diclofenac sodium in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 1996 Aug;23(8):1385-91.
View Abstract
⁵ Bourgeois P. Efficacy and tolerability of chondroitin sulfate 1200 mg/day vs chondroitin sulfate 3 x 400 mg/day vs placebo. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998 May;6 Suppl A:25-30.
View Abstract
⁶ Uebelhart D. Effects of oral chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998 May;6 Suppl A:39-46.
View Abstract
⁷ Reginster JY. Evidence of nutriceutical effectiveness in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2000 Dec;2(6):472-7.
View Abstract
⁸ Lenclud C, et al. Effects of Chondroitin Sulfate on Snoring Characteristics: A Pilot Study. Current Therapeutic Research. 1998;59(4):234-43.
⁹ Uebelhart D, et al. Protective Effect of Exogenous Chondroitin 4,6-sulfate in the Acute Degradation of Articular Cartilage in the Rabbit. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. May1998;6(Suppl A):6-13.
View Abstract
¹⁰ Hickery MS, Bayliss MT, Dudhia J, Lewthwaite JC, Edwards JC, Pitsillides AA. Age-related changes in the response of human articular cartilage to IL-1alpha and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta): chondrocytes exhibit a diminished sensitivity to TGF-beta. Biol Chem. Dec2003;278(52):53063-71.
View Abstract