Possible effects of glucosamine on gait assessment and lipid peroxidation in ovariectomized rabbits

In routine physiological procedures and/or pathological conditions, the living tissues produce free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been well documented that the primarily responsible mechanism for cell damage and destruction would be the lipid peroxidation conducted by ROS. It is approved that human articular chondrocytes actively lead to significant ROS production. DNA damage and telomere shortening have been known as the most important consequences of any increase in ROS production. Therefore, the current research was designed to investigate the effect of pre-and post-osteoarthritis administration of glucosamine on induced osteoarthritis in rabbits. In this experiment, 20 adult female New Zealand white rabbits with an average weight of 2.14 ± 0.45 kg were used. Visual inspection evaluated the animals to be free of any joints and muscular disorders. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 5); Group A was ovariectomized without any treatments, while rabbits in Group B were ovariectomized, and after radiographic confirmation of OA, they were administered 75 mg kg-1 glucosamine. Rabbits in Group C were neither ovariectomized nor administered glucosamine, while rabbits in Group D were ovariectomized and administered glucosamine immediately after ovariectomy. Rabbits' gaits were scored before ovariectomy and at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 weeks post-ovariectomy (PO). Stifle joints radiographs and blood samples were obtained at 12, 18, and 24 weeks PO. Gait assessment score (GAS) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in group A than in groups B, C, and D. Plasma concentration of TBARS was higher in groups A and B than in groups C and D, while plasma SOD decreased significantly (p < 0.05) between weeks 4 and 12 PO in all the groups. However, there were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of GSH, GPx, GST, tCHOL, TRIG, HDL, and LDL in all the groups. It was concluded that glucosamine inhibits lipid peroxidation; its prophylactic use has no significant advantage over its post-OA use. © The Author(s).