HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: ard.2006.068882v1 67/6/735    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Google Scholar Articles by Monfort, J Articles by Martel-Pelletier, J PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Monfort, J Articles by Martel-Pelletier, J

Biochemical basis of the effect of chondroitin sulphate on osteoarthritis articular tissues

¹ Hospital del Mar, Passeig del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
² Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Correspondence to:
Johanne Martel-Pelletier, Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Notre-Dame Hospital, 1560 rue Sherbrooke Est, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2L 4M1; jm{at}martelpelletier.ca

ABSTRACT
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease characterised by irreversible damage to joint structures, including loss of articular cartilage, osteophyte formation, alterations in the subchondral bone and synovial inflammation. Pain, functional disability and impairment of health-related quality of life are major complaints in patients with osteoarthritis. Several compounds have been investigated for their positive effects on the relief of clinical symptoms and improvement of structural changes in osteoarthritis. It has been shown that chondroitin sulphate interferes with the progression of structural changes in joint tissues and is used in the management of patients with osteoarthritis. This review summarises data from relevant reports describing the mechanisms of action of chondroitin sulphate involved in the beneficial effects of the drug.