Glucosamine Hydrochloride and N -Acetylglucosamine Influence the Response of Bovine Chondrocytes to TGF-β3 and IGF in Monolayer and Three-Dimensional Tissue Culture

Background: Glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN·HCl) has been shown to inhibit cell growth and matrix synthesis, but not with N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) supplementation. This effect might be related to an inhibition of critical growth factors (GF), or to a different metabolization of the two glucosamine derivatives. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the synergy between GlcN·HCl, GlcNAc, and GF on proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis.