The effect of glucosamine sulfate supplementation on serum copper, zinc, and C-reactive protein in patients with degenerative joint diseas

Serum copper, zinc, C-reactive protein and 3-day diet records were analyzed pre- and post-supplementation with 1500 mg glucosamine sulfate (GS)/day for 12-weeks. Degenerative joint disease (DJD) patients (men = 17; women = 11), 31--64 years, were randomly assigned to treatment or control groups. Serum copper and zinc were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum C-reactive protein was analyzed by rate nephelometry. Diets were analyzed by the Food Processor program.;There were no significant differences in the three serum variables pre- and post-supplementation with GS. Females had significantly lower intakes of dietary copper and zinc compared to the normal reference values. Men had lower than the recommended dietary intakes of copper and zinc, although these were not statistically significant. There were no correlations between dietary and serum copper and dietary and serum zinc. Based on this study, GS has no apparent effect on serum copper, zinc, and C-reactive protein.