Chondroprotective therapy of osteoarthritis: a tribute to tradition or a proven necessity?

Abstract

The study of cellular and molecular patterns of osteoarthritis (OA) shows that, since the key sign of the disease is progressive cartilage loss, today it is considered as a spectrum of conditions affecting all joint tissues. The disease is based on special tissue mechanisms: some of them are unique to a single tissue, and some are common to several tissues and joints. Recent studies allowed to identify individual subtypes of OA, depending on the development of pathological changes in certain tissue: bone tissue, articular cartilage, inflammation or changes in the synovial membrane. Therefore, chondroprotection requires a holistic approach, stratification of patient groups and achievement of their respective final goals. Given the past therapeutic experience (including unsuccessful), it is necessary to develop medicinal products using modern technologies and the latest knowledge. The main aim of chondroprotection is to provide the suitable treatment to the appropriate patient at the right time. Despite the abundance of new technologies and pharmacological developments, European experts still recommend a combination of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine as the treatment of choice at the initial stage of OA. KEYWORDS: chondroprotection, osteoarthritis, treatment tactics, development of medicinal products, chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine. FOR CITATION: Egorov I.V. Chondroprotective therapy of osteoarthritis: a tribute to tradition or a proven necessity? Russian Medical Inquiry. 2022;6(8):480–485 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2022-6-8-480-485.