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PROVET

EVIDENCE-BASED NUTRITION FOR PETS

PRO-FLEX

Glucosamine & Chondroitin Supplement 

 

Provet Data Sheet/Technical Briefing

V: 14.06.04

(Scientific References are numbered in brackets)

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Description

Glucosamine is a naturally occurring amino monosaccharide found in chitin, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans (mucopolysaccharides). Glucosamine salts increase the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) including hyaluronic acid, which are important structural components of hyaline cartilage providing resilience to biomechanical  forces on the articular joint surfaces.(3,4)

Glucosamine is usually derived from marine exoskeletons and it available as water soluble salts : glucosamine hydrochloride, glucosamine sulphate and N-acetyl-glucosamine. (7)

Chondroitin sulphate is the main naturally occurring polysaccharide (glycosaminoglycans) found in cartilage (3,4). It is also present in other tissues including bone, cornea, skin and arterial walls (7) Chondroitin sulphate is a fundamental component of aggrecan which provides shock-absorbing properties  in articular cartilage.

Both glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation are thought to promote and maintain the structure and function of cartilage in joints and may also have anti-inflammatory properties. Glucosamine may have antioxidant properties and chondroitin may confer chondroprotection by increasing the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) which inhibit enzymes that damage the cartilage or that block nutrient transport to the cartilage (7).

Commercial sources of chondroitin sulphate used for nutritional supplementation include cartilage from cattle, sharks and rays, green-lipped muscles and seaweed.(3).

PRO-FLEX Product Presentation

Provet's glucosamine and chondroitin combination (Pro-flex) consists of sprinkle capsules or powder containing 

PRO-FLEX REGULAR Glucosamine sulphate 2 KCl (250mg) and Chondroitin sulphate (90%) (200mg)

PRO-FLEX SUPER Glucosamine sulphate 2 KCl  (500g) and Chondroitin sulphate (90%) (400mg)  

Uses for Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplements

Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplementation is recommended as a nutritional aid in the maintenance of normal joint structure and function.

Oral supplementation with both glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate has been shown to be bioavailable when given orally, and there is significant accumulation of chondroitin sulphate following multiple administrations.(5)

Recommended Feeding Rates

Cats:

Minimum Requirement:

As far as is known there is no minimum dietary requirement for glucosamine or chondroitin in cats. However, in their natural environment as wild, carnivorous species it would be usual for them to ingest these substances as part of their food intake. (1,2,3)

Recommended feeding rate for  PRO-FLEX for Cats

PRO-FLEX REGULAR: 1 capsule/5kg body weight/day

Dogs:

Minimum requirement:

As far as is known there is no minimum dietary requirement for glucosamine or chondroitin in dogs. However, in their natural environment as wild, carnivorous species it would be usual for them to ingest these substances as part of their food intake. (1,2,3)  

Recommended feeding rate for  PRO-FLEX for Dogs

PRO-FLEX REGULAR : 1 capsule/5kg body weight/day

PRO-FLEX SUPER       :  1 capsule/10kg body weight/day

Some authors recommend feeding an initial  loading dose at twice the maintenance feeding rate for 6-8 weeks.

Contraindications, Warnings etc

Nutritional supplement for animal use only.

Use as directed by your veterinarian.

Keep out of the reach of children

Glucosamine and chondroitin are regarded as being non-toxic when administered orally.

Precautions

Store in a cool dry place

Legal Category

Nutritional supplement

Package Sizes

Bottle containing 90 x 500:400 PRO-FLEX SUPER Sprinkle capsules 

Bottle containing 30 x 250:200 PRO-FLEX REGULAR Sprinkle capsules

Scientific References

1.      Nutrient Requirements of Dogs (1985) National Research Council, Washington DC, Academic Press

2.      Nutrient Requirements of Cats (1986) National Research Council Washington DC, Academic Press  p13-15

3.      Hand M et al. (2000) Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4e Mark Morris Institute, Topeka, Kansas p 114-115

4.      Newton CD and Nunamaker DM T(1985) Textbook of Small Animal Orthopaedics  J.B.Lippincott. Philadelphia p94-103

5.      Adebowale et al (2002) The bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of glucosamine hydrochloride and low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate after single and multiple doses to beagle dogs. Biopharmaceutics and Drug Disposition 23 (6) : 217-225

6.      Canapp SO et al (1999) Scintigraphic evaluation of dogs with acute synovitis after treatment with glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulphate . American Journal of Veterinary Research 60(12) : 1552-1557

7.   PDR for Nutritional Supplements  (2001) Published by Thomson Healthcare Montvale NJ p 93-96  and 186-189

 

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