Glucosamine sulfate has been in the news recently on account of an animal study which reported that the effects of glucosamine infusion in rats mimic the beta-cell dysfunction encountered in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. The authors of this study suggested that glucosamine may participate in the genesis of glucose toxicity1.

Detailed human studies performed at normal dosage levels did not however reveal any such abnormalities. In fact, glycosaminoglycans were found to delay the progression of kidney damage in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes2

Refernces:

• Shankar, R.R. et al. (1998) Metabolism, , 47(5):573-77
• Solini, A. et al. (1997) Diabetes Care, 20(5):819-23