The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management

Abstract To explore the therapeutic efficacy of L-glutamine (L-Gln) on pathological progression and clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), and compare with glucosamine sulfate (GS), and celecoxib (CXB). Rats were administered sodium chloride, L-Gln, GS, or CXB via gavage for eight weeks starting...

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Main Authors: Zhongyao Hu, Changming Wang, Chen Wang, Junyan He, Yiqun Yan, Zelin Xu, Yangmang Yu, Ya Yu, Huan Cheng, Lei Liu, Miao Tang, Chun Zhang, Haoran Yu, Juehua Jing, Wendan Cheng
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Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93357-y
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author Zhongyao Hu
Changming Wang
Chen Wang
Junyan He
Yiqun Yan
Zelin Xu
Yangmang Yu
Ya Yu
Huan Cheng
Lei Liu
Miao Tang
Chun Zhang
Haoran Yu
Juehua Jing
Wendan Cheng
author_facet Zhongyao Hu
Changming Wang
Chen Wang
Junyan He
Yiqun Yan
Zelin Xu
Yangmang Yu
Ya Yu
Huan Cheng
Lei Liu
Miao Tang
Chun Zhang
Haoran Yu
Juehua Jing
Wendan Cheng
author_sort Zhongyao Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To explore the therapeutic efficacy of L-glutamine (L-Gln) on pathological progression and clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), and compare with glucosamine sulfate (GS), and celecoxib (CXB). Rats were administered sodium chloride, L-Gln, GS, or CXB via gavage for eight weeks starting from the fifth week after sham operation or Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection (ACLT) + Medial Meniscectomy (MMx). Then the severity of knee OA in rats was evaluated by serological analysis, histological examination and imaging examination. In addition, patients with mild primary OA were administered L-Gln, GS, or CXB orally for 12 weeks in accordance with the randomization principle. The efficacy end points were the change from baseline to week 24 in the pain and physical function subscale scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne score. Treatment with L-Gln alleviated the increased concentration of serum cartilage degradation markers caused by OA in rats. Histological tests showed improvement in knee joint cartilage destruction after treatment. Three-dimensional CT scans and reconstructions revealed a reduction in osteophyte formation and subchondral bone loss. L-glutamine performed as well as or better than glucosamine sulfate and celecoxib in all comparative measures among the three treatment groups. In clinical trials, the WOMAC pain and physical function subscale scores, as well as the Lequesne score, decreased from baseline in all three patient groups during follow-up, with no significant differences observed between the groups. Our research indicates that L-Gln is comparable to GS and CXB in improving the pathological progression and clinical efficacy of OA, which makes it a promising drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
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spelling doaj-art-19439389a6264d60b75eebb4c4f992362025-08-20T02:56:09ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-93357-yThe comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis managementZhongyao Hu0Changming Wang1Chen Wang2Junyan He3Yiqun Yan4Zelin Xu5Yangmang Yu6Ya Yu7Huan Cheng8Lei Liu9Miao Tang10Chun Zhang11Haoran Yu12Juehua Jing13Wendan Cheng14Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityEZhou central HospitalDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityHuoshan County HospitalHuoshan County Hospital of Traditional Chinese MedicineSuzhou Municipal Hospital in Anhui ProvinceSuzhou Municipal Hospital in Anhui ProvinceDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityDepartment of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical UniversityAbstract To explore the therapeutic efficacy of L-glutamine (L-Gln) on pathological progression and clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), and compare with glucosamine sulfate (GS), and celecoxib (CXB). Rats were administered sodium chloride, L-Gln, GS, or CXB via gavage for eight weeks starting from the fifth week after sham operation or Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection (ACLT) + Medial Meniscectomy (MMx). Then the severity of knee OA in rats was evaluated by serological analysis, histological examination and imaging examination. In addition, patients with mild primary OA were administered L-Gln, GS, or CXB orally for 12 weeks in accordance with the randomization principle. The efficacy end points were the change from baseline to week 24 in the pain and physical function subscale scores of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC), and Lequesne score. Treatment with L-Gln alleviated the increased concentration of serum cartilage degradation markers caused by OA in rats. Histological tests showed improvement in knee joint cartilage destruction after treatment. Three-dimensional CT scans and reconstructions revealed a reduction in osteophyte formation and subchondral bone loss. L-glutamine performed as well as or better than glucosamine sulfate and celecoxib in all comparative measures among the three treatment groups. In clinical trials, the WOMAC pain and physical function subscale scores, as well as the Lequesne score, decreased from baseline in all three patient groups during follow-up, with no significant differences observed between the groups. Our research indicates that L-Gln is comparable to GS and CXB in improving the pathological progression and clinical efficacy of OA, which makes it a promising drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93357-yOsteoarthritisL-glutamineGlucosamine sulfateCelecoxib
spellingShingle Zhongyao Hu
Changming Wang
Chen Wang
Junyan He
Yiqun Yan
Zelin Xu
Yangmang Yu
Ya Yu
Huan Cheng
Lei Liu
Miao Tang
Chun Zhang
Haoran Yu
Juehua Jing
Wendan Cheng
The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
Scientific Reports
Osteoarthritis
L-glutamine
Glucosamine sulfate
Celecoxib
title The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
title_full The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
title_fullStr The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
title_full_unstemmed The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
title_short The comparative efficacy of L-glutamine, celecoxib, and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
title_sort comparative efficacy of l glutamine celecoxib and glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis management
topic Osteoarthritis
L-glutamine
Glucosamine sulfate
Celecoxib
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-93357-y
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