Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan as a treatment for osteoarthritis in veterinary medicine: Summary of the pharmacological, laboratory, and clinical data.

Abstract

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is an antiarthritic drug that has been used in veterinary medicine for many years. PSGAG is rapidly distributed to diseased joint tissue after intraarticular or intramuscular administration, as shown in pharmacological studies conducted on a variety of animal species. In diseased joint tissue, PSGAG stimulates: 1) its own incorporation into the cartilage matrix, 2) inhibition of catabolic enzymes, 3) anabolic effects in the synovial and cartilage tissue, and 4) anti-inflammatory effects. Laboratory and clinical studies in humans, rabbits, horses, and dogs have shown reduced severity of clinical signs and beneficial biochemical and morphological effects in inflamed or damaged joints. The drug has minimal side effects and adverse reactions in horses and dogs. Due to the above findings, PSGAG has been classified as a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD), and the drug remains a popular treatment for synovial inflammation and osteoarthritis in horses and dogs. Herein, we review the experimental and clinical evidence that led PSGAG to its classification as a DMOAD.