Effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate on the human intervertebral discs based on stature measurements.

Abstract

Glycosaminoglycan polysulphate has been shown to protect against loss of glycosaminoglycans in experimental osteoarthritis and has been used in humans to achieve the same result. It was assumed that if glycosaminoglycan polysulphate generally affects human connective tissues its use would increase or maintain intervertebral disc height by preventing water loss. Stature was measured during a resting-loading-resting period of 1.5 h. Four baseline measurements were taken of six subjects during a 4-week period. Thereafter each subject was given glycosaminoglycan polysulphate for 3 weeks and stature was measured once a week until a stable condition was reached; no less than three measurements were obtained. No effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate on the stature could, however, be seen in the mean values for all six subjects.