氨糖软骨素？到底有用吗？
通过对大量高质量研究的系统审查，NIH目前对于氨基葡萄糖和软骨素对骨关节炎的有效性结论总结成如下两条： 1、软骨素并不会缓解骨关节炎的疼痛。 2、目前并不清楚氨基葡萄糖是否有助于缓解骨关节炎的疼痛，也不清楚氨基葡萄糖和软骨素联合使用能否缓解骨关节炎的疼痛。    这里我再简单补充说明一下： 对软骨素的所有高质量研究都一致显示软骨素对缓解骨关节炎疼痛的作用没有超过安慰剂，所以得出结论软骨素无效。 而关于氨基葡萄糖的高质量研究则呈现出相互矛盾的结果，所以目前还不能得出结论氨基葡萄糖或氨基葡萄糖和软骨素联合使用能否缓解骨关节炎的疼痛。 总的来说，氨基葡萄糖和软骨素补充剂连对缓解骨关节炎疼痛的效果都缺乏证据，就更不要说氨基葡萄糖和软骨素补充剂厂商经常宣传的促使软骨生长和关节液分泌等机理分析了。 所以，对提问者问题的直接回答就是三个字：不可靠。 顺便再说一下安全性：还没有发现这两种补充剂有明显副作用，除了可能会与一种抗凝血药物（华法林）产生作用之外。 具有代表性的高质量研究，可参考阅读以下文献： 【1】Ali AA, Lewis SM, Badgley HL, et al. Oral glucosamine increases expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in rat cartilage and kidney: implications for human efficacy and toxicity. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2011.【2】Cahlin BJ, Dahlström L. No effect of glucosamine sulfate on osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joints—a randomized, controlled, short-term study. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology,and Endodontics. 2011.【3】Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, et al. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2006.【4】Dostrovsky NR, Towheed TE, Hudson RW, et al. The effect of glucosamine on glucose metabolism in humans: a systematic review of the literature. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2011.【5】Gabay C, Medinger-Sadowski C, Gascon D, et al. Symptomatic effects of chondroitin 4 and chondroitin 6 sulfate on hand osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial at a single center. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2011;63(11):3383-3391.【6】Herrero-Beaumont G, Ivorra JA, Del Carmen Trabado M, et al. Glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using acetaminophen as a side comparator. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2007.【7】Hochberg MC, Altman RD, April KT, et al. American College of Rheumatology 2012 recommendations for the use of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies in osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care & Research. 2012.【8】Knudsen JF, Sokol GH. Potential glucosamine-warfarin interaction resulting in increased international normalized ratio: case report and review of the literature and MedWatch database. Pharmacotherapy.2008.【9】Pavelká K, Gatterová J, Olejarová M, et al. Glucosamine sulfate use and delay of progression of knee osteoarthritis: a 3-year, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Archives of Internal Medicine.2002.【10】Reginster JY, Deroisy R, Rovati LC, et al. Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet. 2001.【11】Reichenbach S, Sterchi R, Scherer M, et al. Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip.Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007.【12】Sawitzke AD, Shi H, Finco MF, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, their combination, celecoxib or placebo taken to treat osteoarthritis of the knee: 2-year results from GAIT.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2010.【13】Sawitzke AD, Shi H, Finco MF, et al. The effect of glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate on the progression of knee osteoarthritis: a report from the glucosamine/chondroitin arthritis intervention trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism. 2008.【14】National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health 6 Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis Thie NM, Prasad NG, Major PW. Evaluation of glucosamine sulfate compared to ibuprofen for the treatment of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: a randomized double blind controlled 3 month clinical trial.Journal of Rheumatology. 2001.【15】Wilkens P, Scheel IB, Grundnes O, et al. Effect of glucosamine on pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2010.