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MEDIA ADVISORY
TWO SEMINAL STUDIES DEMONSTRATE BENEFIT OF GLUCOSAMINE AND
CHONDROITIN IN OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS
National Institutes of Health (NIH) trial shows effectiveness of glucosamine/chondroitin
combination for moderate to severe pain, while multi-center European study favorably
compares glucosamine to over-the-counter remedy for joint pain
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2005 — Initial results of two highly anticipated clinical trials involving the use of glucosamine and/or chondroitin by individuals experiencing pain from osteoarthritis were announced Sept. 28 in abstract form, and demonstrate strong support for use of both by osteoarthritis patients to relieve pain. Both studies, which will be presented at an upcoming conference of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), add further support to the growing scientific literature demonstrating the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
• The multi-centered Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT)
conducted by NIH involved nearly 1,500 osteoarthritis patients who were supplemented with 1,500 mg/day glucosamine hydrochloride and/or 1,200 mg/day chondroitin sulfate vs. 200 mg/day of the common prescription pain medication celecoxib (Celebrex™) or • Preliminary results indicate that both celecoxib and glucosamine-chondroitin combination significantly reduced knee pain compared to placebo, and that all treatments were well tolerated by the study subjects. • Preliminary conclusions from the researchers are that, “The combination of glucosamine and chondroitin is effective in treating moderate to severe knee pain due to Studies Demonstrate Benefit of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Osteoarthritis Patients
• These findings were mirrored by the preliminary results of another multi-centered clinical study released yesterday, the European-sponsored Glucosamine Unum in Die Efficacy
(GUIDE) Trial, which compared the effect of glucosamine sulfate (1,500 mg/day) vs.
acetaminophen (3,000 mg/day) or placebo over 24 weeks on various pain and mobility • Researchers reported that glucosamine sulfate was more effective than acetaminophen, and concluded that “glucosamine sulfate…might be the preferred symptomatic medication in knee osteoarthritis,” and “There were no differences among groups in • The abstracts of both trials were posted on the ACR website (www.rheumatology.org/annual/index.asp), and will be formally presented at the upcoming ACR Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 12–17. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of both trials, and look forward to their presentation at ACR and subsequent publication,” said Andrew Shao, Ph.D., vice president of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN). “These are two well-designed, well- conducted, gold-standard studies that we believe will offer further support to the already long list of studies demonstrating the safety and benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin for joints.” CRN will provide additional information on these studies when the full papers are made Note to Editor: The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a
Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing dietary supplement industry ingredient
suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of ethics, comply with
dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good
manufacturing practices.

Source: http://www.crnusa.org/prpdfs/CRNAdvisory050929.pdf