Medical Evidence
[A German Pharmacokinetic Study on Oral
Chondroitin Sulfate] (Orale Chondroitinsulfatmedikation zur Behandlung
von Arthrosen) D. Gross Klinik fur Rheurnatologie
und Rehabilitation (Chefarzt: Prof. Dr. D. Gross), Stadtspital
Triemli, Zurich/Schweiz
Summary: The subject of this
paper is the question If chondroitin sulfate taken by mouth Is
resorbed by the gastro-Intestinal tract or not. For this the concentration
in plasma and in joint fluid has been measured after an oral medication
of 3.0 g Chondrosuf® IBSA. 3 and 6 hours after the administration
the levels of chondroitin sulfates were higher as before as well
in plasma as in joint synovia. In a second experiment 0.5 g and
1.0 g Chondrosuf® has been administrated for a long term of 40
weeks. The concentration in synovial fluid was measured. The levels
were elevated after the administration of 0.8 g and 1.0 g Chondrosuf®,
but not with a dosage of 0.5 g. By this reason an administration
of more than 0.8 g Chondrosuf® is not senseless as basic treatment
in patients with osteoarthritis. A clinical trial in 45 paVents
with osteoarthritis of knee joints had first the goal of compatibility
of Chondrosuf® of the gastrointestinal tract, and in a general
view (allergy). The compatibility of the drug is very good. In
45 patients 1 exanthema, 2 diarrheas and 1 troubles of the stomach
could be found. The effectivity of the drug from the subjective
point of view especially the reduction of osteoarthritic pains
was the second goal.
Source: THERAPIEWOCHE 33,
4238-4244 (1983)
Dr. Theo’s Comments: Another
study to show that oral chondroitin sulfate is absorbed in humans.