Glucosamine sulfate is the preferred form of glucosamine for therapeutic use, mainly as an antiarthritic agent. It is an effective means of providing glucosamine orally and as a building block for the regeneration of cartilage glycosaminoglycans lost during the progression of osteoarthritis.

1. Glucosamine sulfate occurs naturally in the human body and is almost devoid of toxicity, making it suitable for long-term clinical use¹
2. The chondrometabolic, antireactive and antiarthritis properties of this form have been investigated extensively and are supported by controlled clinical trials²
3. Pharmacokinetic studies revealed that close to 90% of orally administered glucosamine sulfate is absorbed³
4. Glucosamine sulfate, in vivo, breaks down into glucosamine and sulfate ions. Glucosamine hydrocholoride, on the other hand, breaks down into glucosamine and free hydrochloric acid. The acid would increase gastric acidity and produce the associated disturbances in vivo
5. The sulfate ions produced from glucosamine sulfate, on the other hand, participate in chondrometabolic processes. They influence the incorporation of glucosamine and sulfate into the tissues. In a study with gastric mucosal segments, a sulfate content of 300µ mole was found to induce maximum incorporation. Chlorate was found to inhibit glycosylation and induce the formation of low molecular weight mucin polymer. The results of this study revealed that sulfate availability is essential for the formation of high molecular weight mucin polymer. The presence of sulfate ion would therefore enhance the antiarthritic properties of glucosamine

References:

1. Rovalti, L.C., (1992). Antireactive properties of chondroprotective drugs. Int. J. Tissue Reactions, 14(5), 253-261
2. Reichelt, A. et al. (1994). Efficacy and safety of intramuscular glucosamine sulfate in osteoarthritis of the knee, a randomized, placebo-controlled double blind study. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res. 44(l)(1), 75-80
3. Setnikar, 1. et al. (1993). Pharmacokinetics of glucosamine in man. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res. 43(11)(10), 1109-1113
4. Liau, Y. H. et al. (1992). Role of sulfation in post-translational processing of gastric mucins. Int. J. Riochem. 24(7), 1023-1028