Abstract
Arthritis is one of the most spread illnesses and is treated using essentially glucosamine. Since some years, the efficiency and even the safety of this drug is debated. Indeed, a placebo has often an effect similar to that of glucosamine, and in some cases, this drug appeared to induce cells’ death. In the present work, we examined the ethological and physiological effects of glucosamine using ants as models. No severe adverse effect was found: the ants’ sensitive perception, social relationship, cognition, learning and memory were not impacted by glucosamine consumption. Moreover, this drug leaded to no dependence, and its effect slowly vanished in about 14hours after weaning. Glucosamine only increased the ants’ activity and locomotion. Body movements are known as being beneficial to patients suffering from arthritis. Therefore, we cautiously hypothesize that one potential beneficial effect of glucosamine may result from an increase of activity and locomotion it induces.
Highlights
Arthritis, a disease characterized by cartilage wearing, is one of the most common illnesses, in aged persons
Arthritis is commonly treated by an oral intake of glucosamine, a complementary medication or nutritional supplement for the purpose of decreasing articulation pain as well as of slowing the development of the disease, i.e. inducing mechanisms devoted to cartilage maintenance and repair.[2]
These traits were somewhat affected by glucosamine consumption (Table 1)
Summary
A disease characterized by cartilage wearing, is one of the most common illnesses, in aged persons. Glucosamine, a compound naturally synthesized from glucose and glutamine in almost every human tissue, has several functions in joint tissues Among others, it is a key element in the synthesis of glycoaminoglycan (GAG) and proteoglycans, components of the cartilage matrix and of the synovial fluid; it prevents collagen degeneration in chondrocytes and inhibits cartilage inflammatory processes.[1] Arthritis is commonly treated by an oral intake of glucosamine, a complementary medication or nutritional supplement for the purpose of decreasing articulation pain as well as of slowing the development of the disease, i.e. inducing mechanisms devoted to cartilage maintenance and repair.[2] The most used glucosamine preparations are its sulfate and hydrochloride salts. Both salts dissociate in the stomach by releasing the glucosamine molecule[1] and have a similar bioavailability.[4]
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