Effects of oral glucosamine sulphate on serum glucose and insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test of subjects with osteoarthritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 2007 Feb;66(2):260-2. doi: 10.1136/ard.2006.058222. Epub 2006 Jul 3.

Abstract

Background: and objective: Glucosamine is suggested to affect glucose transport and insulin resistance. The effects of oral glucosamine on serum glucose and insulin levels at the initiation and throughout the duration of a 3-h oral glucose tolerance test were examined.

Methods: Sera from 16 patients with osteoarthritis, but with no other diagnosed medical condition who had fasted overnight, were obtained every 15-30 min during the 3 h of continued fasting and during the 3 h after ingestion of 75 g of glucose with or without ingestion of 1500 mg of glucosamine sulphate. Glucose was analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography using a Metrohm-Peak 817 Bioscan, and the area under the curve (AUC) for glucose was calculated. Insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay every 30 min for 2 h.

Results: Three participants who were found to have previously undiagnosed abnormalities of glucose tolerance demonstrated significant (p = 0.04) incremental elevations in glucose levels after ingestion of glucosamine sulphate. The other 13 participants also had mean incremental elevations that were not significant (p = 0.20). Glucosamine sulphate ingestion had no effect on insulin levels.

Conclusion: The results suggest that glucosamine ingestion may affect glucose levels and consequent glucose uptake in patients who have untreated diabetes or glucose intolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Area Under Curve
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Glucosamine / adverse effects*
  • Glucosamine / therapeutic use
  • Glucose Intolerance / blood
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy
  • Osteoarthritis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Glucosamine