GlucoSelene

[Nutritional Advisers Product Information]

Overview

This product is designed to provide nutritional support for the maintenance of healthy connective tissue, particularly that of the joints. Glucosamine has been shown to enhance the production of substances that are essential for the maintenance and repair of joint tissues, whilst the antioxidants selenium, manganese, vitamins C and E have been included for their protective function against free radical damage. Vitamin B6 plays an important role in the regeneration of body tissues.

Glucosamine is normally produced by the body. There is a possibility, however, that due to the ageing process, the production of glucosamine may be impaired. Insufficient glucosamine production, possibly in combination with other nutrient deficiencies, may adversely affect cartilage function, due to a reduced synthesis of substances such as proteoglycans, glycosaminolglycans and glycoprotein. All these substances are components of healthy cartilage. (1) As glucosamine is not available from food sources, it can at present only be obtained from food supplements or by injection. There is strong evidence that oral supplementation of glucosamine sulfate has a beneficial effect on conditions involving the joints, as indicated by clinical trials. (2,3,4,24) Sulphate is believed to potentiate the function of glucosamine.

Wassen GlucoSelene also provides antioxidants in the form of selenium, manganese, vitamins C and E. The trace elements selenium and manganese are essential components of certain antioxidant enzymes, which play a part in counteracting free radical activity. Inflammation is usually associated with increased free radical formation. Vitamin E enhances selenium function and plays an important role as a lipid phase antioxidant, whilst Vitamin C is not only an essential co-factor in the production of collagen but an aqueous phase antioxidant. (5) Vitamin B6 is required by over 60 different enzymes to function properly. This vitamin is of critical importance for the replication of cells and thus the maintenance of all the body tissues including those of the joints and bones. (22, 23)

Connective tissue

Healthy connective tissue is of the utmost importance in the maintenance of well functioning joints. Connective tissue varies in its basic structure, depending where it is found in the body, however, it always consists of protein fibres, which are embedded in a fluid, gel or solid ground substance.

Both collagen and proteoglycans form part of this ground substance. It has been discovered recently that the fluid, gel or solid ground substance is not just an inert scaffolding, but is quite active in functions, such as influencing tissue development, migration, proliferation, shape and even metabolic functions. (6)

Cartilage forms a protective cushion around the bone ends, that terminate in the joints, to ensure movement without friction. Water is the main component of cartilage comprising about 60 - 80%. The rest is made up of collagen, proteoglycans and glycoproteins. (7,8) Glycoproteins are present in cartilage in concentration inverse to that of collagen. Collagen, proteoglycans and low molecular weight glycoproteins are produced by chondrocytes, a type of cell sprinkled throughout the cartilage matrix. (8)

Absorption of glucosamine from food supplements

When taken orally, glucosamine is first concentrated in the liver, where it is either incorporated into plasma proteins, degraded into smaller molecules or utilised for other biosynthetic processes. Glucosamine is extremely well taken up by the body, with absorption in the region of 90% in humans. (9) The type of cartilage present in joints, referred to as 'articular cartilage', appears to concentrate glucosamine more rapidly than other structural tissue. This affinity of articular cartilage for glucosamine may explain why it has been shown to have a positive effect in the maintenance of joint health.

Glucosamine and proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronate and glycoproteins

Overview

Proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans and glycoproteins are all components of cartilage and other connective tissues, whilst hyaluronate forms the backbone of all proteoglycans. (11)

Proteoglycans

Proteoglycans are giant molecules made up of protein and sugars. These molecules are woven around the collagen fibres within cartilage thus making cartilage more resilient. (10) Proteoglycans also have the ability to absorb water, which plays a part in joint flexibility.

Glycosaminoglycans

Glycosaminoglycans (GAG's) are composed of carbohydrate chains and form a component of proteoglycans. (11) Glucosamine acts as a substrate for the biosynthesis of both proteoglycans and GAG's. (12)

Glycoproteins

Glycoproteins, a combination of protein, short carbohydrate chains and GAG's, are essential components of cell membranes and cell surface proteins as well as interstitial structural molecules that hold cells together. (13)

Summary

As glucosamine sulfate is a component of these glycoproteins and GAG's, it plays a role in the formation of joint surfaces, tendons, ligaments, synovial fluid, skin, bone, nails, heart valves, blood vessels as well as the mucus secretions of the digestive, respiratory and urinary tracts.

The type of glucosamine found in the body, is in the form of Glucosamine 6-phosphate (GP-6). This is produced by a process that combines glucose with glutamine, through the enzymatic action of glucosamine synthesase. (11)

Function of glucosamine sulfate

The effectiveness of glucosamine has been attributed to its ability to act as an essential substrate, as well as a stimulant, for the formation of proteoglycans, GAG's and hyluronate, found in the structural matrix of the joints. (11) In fact the mere presence of glucosamine acts as a stimulant for the chondrocytes to produce these substances, (7) which provide the framework for collagen to follow. (13) This can have a stimulative effect on cartilage regeneration. In addition glucosamine inhibits the breakdown of proteoglycans. (14,15) Sulfate, an essential component of proteoglycans, is believed to potentiate the function of glucosamine. (11)

Selenium

Selenium is used as a co-factor in the function of the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase and thioredoxin reductae. These enzymes deal primarily with the neutralisation of hydrogen peroxide created in and around the body's cells. This function is thought to make selenium particularly important in the prevention of lipid peroxidation, which appears to be involved in diseases such as cancer or heart disease as well as certain types of arthritis. (17) Research indicates that various antioxidant enzymes enhance the body's ability to deal with free radicals, which are destructive molecules or atoms created by pollutants such as cigarette smoke, smog or exposure to ultraviolet light. (18) Free radical damage appears to be linked to the etiology of degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease or arthritis. (19)

Functions of vitamins C and E

Selenium appears to work synergistically with vitamin E. (16) Vitamin E has been shown to play an important part in protecting lipids while vitamin C is more effective in aqueous solutions. Vitamin C potentiates vitamin E by freeing it up from complexes with free radicals so that it can be used over and over again. (17)

Manganese

Deficiency of this trace element has been linked to poor growth and skeletal abnormalities in animals. Human manganese deficiency is not as well defined as in animals. However, several human studies, where subjects were fed a manganese deficient diet, resulted in numerous metabolic abnormalities, which affected bone remodelling and resulted in a reduced growth of hair and nails. This indicates a role for manganese for good bone health. This mineral is also required for the improvement of collagen.

Manganese is often used as nutritional support for strains, sprains and inflammation. Although no clinical evidence is available to confirm this, there is evidence that sufferers with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases have an increased need for manganese. (20) The benefit exerted in these conditions by manganese is most likely due to its role as the key mineral in the production of one form of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme. (21)

Vitamin B6

This vitamin is required for numerous enzyme reactions in the body, including those involved in the formation of body proteins and structural compounds. The production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that can influence inflammatory processes in the body, is also dependent on sufficient vitamin B6 stores. (22) There is evidence from research studies that people with rheumatoid arthritis often are deficient in vitamin B6. (23)

References

1. M.T. Murray, Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements, Prima Publishing, 1996, p 336

2. Tapadinhas M.J., Rivera I.C., Bignamini A.A., Oral glucosamine sulfate in the management of arthrosis: report on a multi-centre open investigation in Portugal, Pharmatherapeutica, 1982; 3: pp 157-68

3. Vaz A.L., Double blind clinical evaluation of the relative efficacy of ibuprofen and glucosamine sulphate in the management of osteoarthrosis of the knee in out-patients, Curr Med Res Opin, 1982; 8: 145-149

4. Giordano N. Nardi P. Senesi M. et al., The efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of gonarthritis, Clin Ter, 1996; 147: pp 99-105

5. Barry Halliwell, Biological Sciences Review - A radical look, Biological Sciences Review, March 1995, pp 21-24

6. G.J. Tortora, S.R. Grabowski, Seventh Edition Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, Harper Collins College Publishers, 1992

7. Brandt K.D., Mankin H. J., Arthritis Surgery, Chapter 24: Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1994, pp 450-468

8. Sledge, C.B. Arthritis Surgery, Chapter 1: Biology of the joint. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company, 1994, pp 1-21

9. Setnikar et al., Pharmacokinetics in Man, Arzneim. - Forsch./Drug Res. 43 (11), Nr. 10 (1993) pp 1109-1113

10. A.I. Caplan, 'Cartilage', Scientific American, 251 (1), : 84-97, October 1984

11. Gregory S. Kelly, The Role of Glucosamine Sulfate and Chondroitin Sulfates in the Treatment of Degenerative Joint Disease, Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 3, No.1, 1998, pp 27-39

12. E. D'Ambrosio et al., Glucosamine sulphate, a controlled clinical investigation for arthrosis, Pharmatherapeutica, 2 (8), pp 504-508, 1981

13. Martin D, Harper's Review of Biochemistry, Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, CA. pp 448, 457

14. Karzel K., Lee K.J., Effect of hexosamine derivatives on mesenchymal metabolic processes of in vitro cultured fetal bone explants, Z. Rheumatol, 1982; 41: 212-218

15. Setnikar I., Cereda R., Pacini M.A., Revel L., Antireactive properties of glucosamine sulfate, Arzneim. Forsch., 1991; 41: pp 157-161

16. Dr. Robert Erdmann & Meirion Jones, Minerals the Metabolic Miracle Workers, Century Hutchinson Ltd, 1988

17. Hans Larsen, Antioxidant update, International Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, October 1995, pp 12-14

18. Vitamin E Research & Information Service (VERIS), Vitamin E Fact Book, VERIS, LaGrange, IL U.S.A., 1995

19. Barry Halliwell, Biological Sciences Review A radical look, Biological Sciences Review, March 1995, pp 21-24

20. Pasquier C. et al., Manganese-containing superoxide-dismutase deficiency in polymorphonuclear leukocytes of adults with rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammation, 1984, Vol. 8, pp 27-32

21. M.T. Murray, Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements, Prima Publishing, 1996, pp 214-215

22. M.T. Murray, Encyclopaedia of Nutritional Supplements, Prima Publishing, 1996, pp 100-110

23. R.C. Atkins, Dr Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution Natures Answer to Drugs, Simon & Schuster, 1998, pp 63-66

24. J. Y. Reginster et al., Long term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial, The Lancet, 2001, Vol. 357, pp 251-256