[Glucosamine: its value for the metabolism of articular cartilage. 1. Biochemistry of proteoglycans, studies on in-vitro cultures of embryonal mouse fibroblasts and bone germs].

Mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycanes) are essential constituents of the cartilage (chondroitin sulfate) and the synovial fluid (hyaluronic acid). They are formed within the chondrocyte preferably from glucosamine or from glucose and bound to protein constituting proteoglycanes. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids inhibit this synthesis. Primary fibroblast cultures and in vitro cultured mouse embryo tibiae show a dose-dependent increased synthesis of mucopolysaccharides and an enhanced growth of the bones after addition of glucosamine to the culture medium. This finding underlines the importance of a sufficient supply of the joints with glucosamine.