Do glucosamine or chondroitin cause regeneration of cartilage in osteoarthritis?

No direct evidence suggests glucosamine or chrondroitin cause regeneration of cartilage in osteoarthritis. Use of glucosamine sulfate in knee osteoarthritis prevents joint space narrowing on radiographs (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on 1 randomized controlled trial). Intramuscular chondroitin polysulfate prevents radiographic progression of finger osteoarthritis (SOR: B, based on 1 randomized controlled trial). Both chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate stimulate chondrocyte growth in vitro and in animal models (SOR: D, based on several bench research studies). * EVIDENCE SUMMARY A systematic review of glucosamine sulfate use for osteoarthritis, based on early research (1956-1991), found that it has anti-inflammatory properties and rebuilds damaged cartilage. (1) These studies evaluated chondrocytes grown in culture and animal models. (1,2) Chondroitin sulfate also stimulates chondrocyte biosynthesis in both animal and in vitro studies. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate glucosamine sulfate or chondroitin sulfate stimulates chrondrocyte growth in humans with osteoarthritis. (2,3) Joint space narrowing on radiographs suggests progression of osteoarthritis. This narrowing i