(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Two new studies suggest there may be a role for glucosamine in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

The first study comes from European researchers who randomly assigned 318 patients to receive treatment of glucosamine sulfate soluble powder, acetaminophen three times a day, or a placebo. Patients could also take ibuprofen if they needed extra relief. Those taking glucosamine sulfate and acetaminophen both reported improvement in pain, but glucosamine sulfate appeared to deliver the best relief.

The second study was conducted in the United States and involved 1,600 patients with knee osteoarthritis. Each patient was randomly assigned to receive another form of glucosamine known as glucosamine hydrochloride, a different supplement called sodium chondroitin sulfate, both supplements, the pain reliever celecoxib, or a placebo. All were allowed to take acetaminophen as well.

Celecoxib was the top pain reliever in the study, and neither of the supplements proved effective by themselves. Further analysis, however, showed the combination of the two supplements might be effective in relieving the pain of knee osteoarthritis.

Glucosamine is produced naturally by the body and plays a role in keeping connective tissue healthy. Chondroitin sulfate helps cartilage retain water. The glucosamine sulfate given in the European study is slightly different from the glucosamine hydrochloride given in the American study and is not comparable to glucosamine formulations available in the United States.

SOURCE: The American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego, Nov. 12 - Nov. 17, 2005