Chondroitin sulfate reliable treatment for diabetic osteoporosis: Study

China: A new study by Shan Shan Qi and the team revealed chondroitin sulfate could prevent streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) and repair bone microstructure. The main mechanism is through regulating bone metabolism, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammatory. The findings of the study, published in the Frontiers in Endocrinology, indicate that chondroitin sulfate could be used for the development of anti-DOP functional foods and diet interventions for diabetes. 

The results showed that chondroitin sulfate can reduce blood sugar and relieve symptoms in diabetic rats. In addition, it can significantly increase bone mineral density, reduce bone marrow adipocyte number in diabetic rats, and improve bone microstructure. After 10 weeks of chondroitin sulfate administration, the SOD activity level was upregulated, as well as CAT levels, indicating that chondroitin sulfate can alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic rats

People with type 1 diabetes, often show poorer bone quality and an increased risk of fractures. People with persistent disease and poor blood sugar control, and under insulin treatment have the highest fracture risk reportedly. Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) belongs to secondary osteoporosis caused by diabetes; it has the characteristics of high morbidity and high disability.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of chondroitin sulfate on diabetic osteoporosis.

The study was an animal-based study were a type 1 diabetic rat model was constructed and administered chondroitin sulfate (200 mg/kg) for 10 weeks to observe the preventive effect of chondroitin sulfate on bone loss of diabetic rats.

The results of the study were

• Chondroitin sulfate can reduce blood glucose and relieve symptoms of diabetic rats, in addition it can significantly increase the bone mineral density, improve bone microstructure, and reduce bone marrow adipocyte number in diabetic rats.

• After 10 weeks of chondroitin sulfate administration, the Superoxide Dismutase activity level was upregulated, as well as COPD Assessment Test levels, indicating that chondroitin sulfate can alleviate oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

• Chondroitin sulfate was also found to reduce the level of serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and MCP-1) and alleviate the inflammation in diabetic rats.

• Bone metabolism marker detection results showed that chondroitin sulfate can reduce bone turnover in diabetic rats. Other transcription factors were also high.

Qi and team concluded that "All of the above indicated that chondroitin sulfate could prevent STZ-induced DOP and repair bone microstructure; the main mechanism was through anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and regulating bone metabolism. Chondroitin sulfate could be used to develop anti-DOP functional foods and diet interventions for diabetes."

Reference: doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.759843