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Article Date: 03 Oct 2011 - 1:00 PDT

A glucosamine-like dietary supplement suppresses the damaging autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis, according to a UC Irvine study.

UCI's Dr. Michael Demetriou, Ani Grigorian and others found that oral N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), which is similar to but more effective than the widely available glucosamine, inhibited the growth and function of abnormal T-cells that in MS incorrectly direct the immune system to attack and break down central nervous system tissue that insulates nerves.

Study results appear online in The Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Earlier this year, Demetriou and colleagues discovered that environmental and inherited risk factors associated with MS - previously poorly understood and not known to be connected - converge to affect how specific sugars are added to proteins regulating the disease.

"This sugar-based supplement corrects a genetic defect that induces cells to attack the body in MS," said Demetriou, associate professor of neurology and microbiology & molecular genetics, "making metabolic therapy a rational approach that differs significantly from currently available treatments."

Virtually all proteins on the surface of cells, including immune cells such as T-cells, are modified by complex sugar molecules of variable sizes and composition. Recent studies have linked changes in these sugars to T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmune disease.

In mouse models of MS-like autoimmune disease, Demetriou and his team found that GlcNAc given orally to those with leg weakness suppressed T-cell hyperactivity and autoimmune response by increasing sugar modifications to the T-cell proteins, thereby reversing the progression to paralysis.

The study comes on the heels of others showing the potential of GlcNAc in humans. One reported that eight of 12 children with treatment-resistant autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease improved significantly after two years of GlcNAc therapy. No serious adverse side effects were noted.

"Together, these findings identify metabolic therapy using dietary supplements such as GlcNAc as a possible treatment for autoimmune diseases," said Demetriou, associate director of UCI's Multiple Sclerosis Research Center. "Excitement about this strategy stems from the novel mechanism for affecting T-cell function and autoimmunity - the targeting of a molecular defect promoting disease - and its availability and simplicity."

He cautioned that more human studies are required to assess the full potential of the approach. GlcNAc supplements are available over the counter and differ from commercially popular glucosamine. People who purchase GlcNAc should consult with their doctors before use.

Lindsey Araujo and Dylan Place of UCI and Nandita N. Naidu and Biswa Choudhury of UC San Diego also participated in the research, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

1eye wrote:Another EAE mouse cure. All I know about Glucosamine is that my dog's vet said that was why his blood sugar was still out of control, so couldn't have it anymore.

A glucosamine-like dietary supplement suppresses the damaging autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis, according to a UC Irvine study.

The study comes on the heels of others showing the potential of GlcNAc in humans. One reported that eight of 12 children with treatment-resistant autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease improved significantly after two years of GlcNAc therapy. No serious adverse side effects were noted.

Of the five responders to GlcNAc monotherapy, one patient had a clinical response within 3 days of starting treatment with complete resolution of bleeding and discharge, two were asymptomatic or with minimal symptoms after 4 weeks and two responded more slowly, with clear improvement noted by 3 months.
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Volume 14, Issue 12, pages 1567–1579, December 2000

A pilot study of N-acetyl glucosamine, a nutritional substrate for glycosaminoglycan synthesis, in paediatric chronic inflammatory bowel disease
S. Salvatore1, R. Heuschkel1, S. Tomlin2, S. E. Davies3, S. Edwards4, J. A. Walker-Smith1, I. French5, S. H. Murch1

MarkW wrote:If you are trying GlcNAc (PointsNorth and others) then try emptying the capsule into your mouth (via a spoon) and keep it below your tongue for a few minutes before swallowing. I am guessing the GlcNAc tastes OK but do not know.

HappyPoet wrote: When I start taking NAG, perhaps in November or December, I'm going to start at 3 grams/day and will increase from there. I bought mine from http://www.Drugstore.com which offers free shipping on orders over $25: Jarrow Formulas N-A-G 750mg which means I'll take two 750mg capsules twice a day to start. Will update.