1. Nagaoka, Isao et al. “Chondroprotective action of glucosamine, a chitosan monomer, on the joint health of athletes.” International journal of biological macromolecules vol. 132 (2019): 795-800. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.03.234
It has been reported that cartilage metabolism (type II collagen degradation) is enhanced in endurance athletes with intense joint loading. Notably, glucosamine, a chitosan monomer, exhibits a chondroprotective action on osteoarthritis by inhibiting type II collagen degradation. This study demonstrated that taking glucosamine daily for 3 months significantly decreased cartilage breakdown in collegiate soccer players and professional rugby players.
2. van der Merwe, Mariè, and Richard J Bloomer. “The Influence of Methylsulfonylmethane on Inflammation-Associated Cytokine Release before and following Strenuous Exercise.” Journal of sports medicine (Hindawi Publishing Corporation) vol. 2016 (2016): 7498359. doi:10.1155/2016/7498359
MSM, acting as an antioxidant, is able to blunt tissue damage and the resulting inflammation and, as a consequence, prevent leukocyte apoptosis. As inflammation induced by exercise may cause prolonged muscle soreness, these data are in agreement with the results noting a reduction in muscle soreness after exercise with MSM supplementation. Based on these results, we speculate that MSM taken during intense bouts of exercise would reduce post-exercise immunosuppression.
3. Barmaki, S et al. “Effect of methylsulfonylmethane supplementation on exercise - Induced muscle damage and total antioxidant capacity.” The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness vol. 52,2 (2012): 170-4.
Participants were randomized in a double-blind placebo-controlled fashion into two groups. Subjects consumed daily either placebo (200 mL water) or MSM supplement (50 mg/kg MSM in 200 mL water) for 10 days. Afterward, participants ran 14 km. Blood samples were taken before supplementation, before exercise, immediately, 30 min, 2, 24 and 48 hour after exercise. It seems that 10-day supplementation with MSM has allowed to decrease muscle damage via effect on antioxidant capacity.
4. Navarro, Sandi L et al. “Randomized trial of glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers and plasma proteomics profiles in healthy humans.” PloS one vol. 10,2 e0117534. 26 Feb. 2015, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117534
Glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation may lower systemic inflammation and alter other pathways in healthy, overweight individuals. This study adds evidence for potential mechanisms supporting epidemiologic findings that glucosamine and chondroitin are associated with reduced risk of lung and colorectal cancer.
5. Ma, Hao et al. “Glucosamine Use, Inflammation, and Genetic Susceptibility, and Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Study in UK Biobank.” Diabetes care vol. 43,4 (2020): 719-725. doi:10.2337/dc19-1836
Glucosamine is a widely used supplement typically taken for osteoarthritis and joint pain. Emerging evidence suggests potential links of glucosamine with glucose metabolism, inflammation, and cardiometabolic risk. Researchers prospectively analyzed the association of habitual glucosamine use with risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and assessed whether genetic susceptibility and inflammation status might modify the association. Their findings indicate that glucosamine use is associated with a lower risk of incident T2D.
6. Correa, Diego, and Steven A Lietman. “Articular cartilage repair: Current needs, methods and research directions.” Seminars in cell & developmental biology vol. 62 (2017): 67-77. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.07.013
Articular cartilage is a highly specialized tissue whose remarkable properties of deformability, resistance to mechanical loading, and low-friction gliding are essential to joint function. Due to its role as a cushion in bone articulation, articular cartilage is subject to many types of damaging insults, including decades of wear and tear, and acute joint injuries. However, this built-for-life tissue has a very poor intrinsic ability in adulthood to durably heal defects created by damaging insults.
7. Jerosch, Jörg. “Effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate on Cartilage Metabolism in OA: Outlook on Other Nutrient Partners Especially Omega-3 Fatty Acids.” International journal of rheumatology vol. 2011 (2011): 969012. doi:10.1155/2011/969012
Based on the preclinical and clinical data, it is obvious that chondroprotectives such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and other nutrients, such as antioxidants and PUFAs, can modulate osteoarthritis. In long-term use they exhibit, in contrast to NSAIDs, an excellent safety profile, with as few adverse events as placebo. The chondroprotectives are essential components of the cartilage metabolism and stimulate important cartilage regeneration processes, thereby adjusting the imbalance of catabolic and anabolic processes in osteoarthritis.
8. Xu, Gang et al. “Evaluation of the Effect of Mega MSM on Improving Joint Function in Populations Experiencing Joint Degeneration.” International journal of biomedical science : IJBS vol. 11,2 (2015): 54-60.
In summary, MSM shows positive effects in improving joint function, relieving symptoms associated with joint degeneration—including joint pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling, difficulty walking, difficulty getting up from bed and difficulty going down stairs—and improving quality of life, in elderly populations.
9. Withee, Eric D et al. “Effects of Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) on exercise-induced oxidative stress, muscle damage, and pain following a half-marathon: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.” Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition vol. 14 24. 21 Jul. 2017, doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0181-z
In this study, 22 healthy women received either MSM or a placebo per day for three weeks leading up to a half marathon. The MSM group reported less muscle soreness and joint pain than the placebo group.
