chondroitin and Chronic-Pain

Neuropathic pain (NP) is an abnormality resulting from lesion or damage to parts of the somatosensory nervous system. It is linked to defective quality of life and often poorly managed. Due to the limited number of approved drugs, limited efficacy and side effects associated with the approved drugs, drugs or drug combinations with great efficacy and very minimal or no side effects will be of great advantage in managing NP. This study aimed at investigating the synergistic antinociceptive effects of the combination of glucosamine sulphate (GS) (240 mg/kg) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) (900 mg/kg) in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathy in rats. Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly distributed into seven groups (n = 6). Sciatic nerve was ligated with four loose ligatures to induce NP. Effects of drugs were examined on stimulus and non-stimulus evoked potentials, expression of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) pain modulators and structural architecture of DRG. Oral administration of GS and CS for 21 days reduced hyperalgesia, allodynia, sciatic nerve functional aberration and DRG pain modulators. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed restoration of structural integrity of DRG. Our result showed that the combination of GS and CS produced antinociceptive effects by attenuating hyperalgesia, allodynia and downregulation of NP mediators. GS and CS additionally produced synergistic analgesic effect over its individual components.

Topics: Animals; Chondroitin; Chronic Pain; Constriction; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Ganglia, Spinal; Glucosamine; Inflammation; Male; Neuralgia; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sciatic Nerve

Osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic and often painful disease for which there is no cure, accounts for more mobility issues in older adults than any other disease. Cross-sectional studies have found that arthritis is the most common reason for older adults to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Although previous research has profiled the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of CAM users, few studies have provided information on variation in CAM use over time and most only considered use of any CAM, which was often a mixture of heterogeneous therapies.. This study sought to describe the longitudinal patterns of CAM use among older adults with knee OA and to identify correlates and predictors of different commonly used CAM therapies.. The Osteoarthritis Initiative included 1121 adults aged ≥65 years with radiographic tibiofemoral OA in one or both knees at baseline. Annual surveys captured current use of conventional therapies and 25 CAM modalities (grouped into 6 categories) for joint pain or arthritis at baseline and during the 4-year follow-up. We assessed longitudinal use of CAM modalities by summing the number of visits with participants reporting use of each modality. Correlates of CAM use under consideration included sociodemographic indicators, body mass index, overall measures of mental and physical well-being, and clinical indices of knee OA. Generalized estimation equations provided adjusted odds ratio estimates and 95% CIs.. Nearly one-third of older adults reported using ≥1 CAM modality for treating OA at all assessments. With the exception of glucosamine and chondroitin (18%), few were persistent users of other CAM modalities. One in 5 of those using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or glucosamine and/or chondroitin were using them concurrently. Adjusted models revealed the following: (1) adults aged ≥75 years were less likely to use dietary supplements than those between ages 65 and 75 years; (2) persons with more severe knee pain or stiffness reported more CAM use; (3) better knee-related physical function was correlated with more use of chiropractic care or massage; and (4) older adults with more comorbidities were less likely to report use of dietary supplements.. Patterns of CAM use are, to some extent, inconsistent with current guidelines for OA treatment. Evaluating the potential risks and benefits in older adults from commonly used CAM modalities, with or without combination use of conventional analgesics, is warranted.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Chondroitin; Chronic Pain; Combined Modality Therapy; Complementary Therapies; Female; Glucosamine; Humans; Knee Joint; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Manipulation, Chiropractic; Manipulation, Orthopedic; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Pain Management; Radiography; Socioeconomic Factors