Study on Structum® in Adult Patients With Osteoarthritis (TRUST)

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a natural biomacromolecule belonging to the class of glycosaminoglycans and is an unbranched complex polysaccharide consisting of a repeating disaccharide structure of glucuronic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine \[18\]. It is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), where it constitutes an essential component of proteoglycans. Oral bioavailability of CS has been demonstrated \[19\], and its use for the treatment of OA has been established in animal models \[20\], as well as in clinical trials \[21, 22\]. CS, is available as a pharmaceutical grade drug (Structum®), meaning that the product is manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) conditions, and is in excess of 99% purity with no binders, fillers, excipients, dyes, or unknown substances. According to the Instructions for Use (IFU), the recommended posology for Structum® is 500 mg twice daily.