The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) on the joint health of healthy individuals without arthritic symptoms. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to investigate the effect of oral administration of a GlcNAc-containing test supplement (low dose, 500 mg/day and high dose, 1,000 mg/day) on cartilage metabolism in healthy individuals with a mean age of 48.6±1.3 years (range, 23-64 years) by analyzing the ratio of type II collagen degradation to type II collagen synthesis using type II collagen degradation (C2C) and synthesis (PIICP) markers. The results indicated that the changes in C2C/PIICP ratios from the baseline were suppressed in the treated with low and high doses of GlcNAc, compared with the placebo group at week 16 during intervention. To further elucidate the effect of GlcNAc, subjects with impaired cartilage metabolism were evaluated. Notably, the changes in the C2C/PIICP ratios were markedly suppressed in the groups treated with low and high doses of GlcNAc at week 16. Finally, to exclude the effect of heavy body weight on joint loading, subjects weighing <70 kg with impaired cartilage metabolism were analyzed. Notably, the changes in the C2C/PIICP ratios were suppressed in the groups treated with low and high doses of GlcNAc at weeks 12 and 16. No test supplement-related adverse events were observed during or following the intervention. Together, these observations suggest that oral administration of GlcNAc at doses of 500 mg and 1,000 mg/day exhibits a chondroprotective effect on healthy individuals by reducing the C2C/PIICP ratio (relatively decreasing type II collagen degradation and increasing type II collagen synthesis) without any apparent adverse effects.
Keywords: N-acetyl-glucosamine; biomarker; cartilage metabolism; joint health.