N-Acetylglucosamine: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucose
Scientific name(s)
2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucose
Family or group:
Carbohydrates
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Osteoarthritis ✪✪✪✪✪
Many clinical trials have used glucosamine and its derivatives, such as glucosamine sulfate and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, to treat patients suffering from joint disorders, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cartilage lesions, and degenerative joint diseases. Preparations containing GlcNAc are administered parenterally, orally, and topically. An oral dose of 100 mg/day has been used. nn
Posologie
Orally
100 mg
Inhibition of elastase enzyme release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by N-acetyl-galactosamine and N-acetyl-glucosamine.
Oral polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and osteoarthritis
N-acetylglucosamine: production and applications
Pilot study of oral polymeric N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as a potential treatment for patients with osteoarthritis
Skin lightening ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study in women aged 40 to 60 years with cutaneous hyperpigmentation and solar lentigines, mainly due to aging and sun exposure, shows that applying a cream containing 2% N-acetylglucosamine and 4% niacinamide to the face twice daily with sunscreen for 10 weeks reduces facial hyperpigmentation compared with sunscreen alone. The effect of N-acetylglucosamine alone is unclear.
Posologie
Topically
Synergies
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation after use of moisturizers with a combination of topical niacinamide and N-acetyl glucosamine: results of a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial
Genomic expression changes induced by topical N-acetyl glucosamine in skin equivalent cultures in vitro
Bone health ✪✪✪✪✪
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 68 healthy subjects who did not have symptoms of arthritis. Participants were recruited and randomly assigned to receive a placebo or N-acetylglucosamine (at a dose of 500 or 1,000 mg/day) for 16 weeks. The results showed that oral administration of GlcNAc improves cartilage metabolism in healthy subjects without apparent adverse effects.
Posologie
Orally
500 - 1000 mg
Effect of N-acetylglucosamine administration on cartilage metabolism and safety in healthy subjects without symptoms of arthritis: A case report
N-acetylglucosamine: production and applications
Skin health ✪✪✪✪✪
Hyaluronic acid (HA), which is produced mainly by fibroblasts and keratinocytes, is a well-known ingredient that retains water in the stratum corneum and the dermis. However, it is absorbed inefficiently by topical or oral administration due to its high molecular weight. The addition of GlcNAc, which is the building block of hyaluronic acid (HA), to cultured keratinocytes results in a dose-dependent increase in HA production.
Posologie
Orally
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Effect of different concentrations of collagen, ceramides, N-acetyl glucosamine, or their mixture on enhancing the proliferation of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and the secretion of collagen and/or the expression of mRNA of type I collagen
N-acetylglucosamine: production and applications
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical study in children aged 8 to 17 years with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who did not respond to conventional treatment suggests that oral or rectal N-acetyl glucosamine (total daily dose of 3 to 6 g) may reduce symptoms. The validity of this result is limited by the absence of a control group.
Posologie
Rectal, oral
3 - 6 g
Wrinkles ✪✪✪✪✪
Because of GlcNAc's versatile functions, it is considered a valuable ingredient in cosmetics to improve wrinkles and skin tone. Indeed, hyaluronic acid (HA) levels decrease with age, which may contribute to wrinkle formation and reduced skin elasticity. Adding GlcNAc to cultured keratinocytes leads to an increase in hyaluronic acid production.
Posologie
Topical
Effect of different concentrations of collagen, ceramides, N-acetyl glucosamine, or their mixture on enhancing the proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and on the secretion of collagen and/or the mRNA expression of type I collagen
Wound ✪✪✪✪✪
Glucosamine has been shown to accelerate wound healing by stimulating the synthesis of hyaluronic acid
Posologie
Topical
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
It has been shown in vitro that glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) inhibit the production of nitric oxide, induced by IL-1β and TNF-α (inflammatory cytokines) in normal human articular chondrocytes (cartilage cells). Moreover, N-acetylglucosamine inhibits the production of cyclooxygenase-2 and IL-6 (which are involved in inflammatory responses). Many clinical trials have shown that GlcNAc significantly helps prevent joint damage in patients suffering from inflammatory joint disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Usages associés
Dermatological effect
In an in vitro study, the addition of N-acetylglucosamine to keratinocytes (epidermal cells) in culture resulted in a dose-dependent increase in hyaluronic acid production. The latter helps retain water in the stratum corneum and the dermis, and prevents the formation of wrinkles and the reduction of skin elasticity. nnIn addition to its moisturizing effects, in vitro studies have shown that GlcNAc reduces facial hyperpigmentation by decreasing melanin production.nn
Usages associés
Digestive effect
GlcNAc is able to increase the release of mucopolysaccharides (components with high elasticity due to their ability to absorb water) by fibroblasts (cells of connective tissue) and restore the protective structure of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, GlcNAc increases the elasticity of perivascular tissues, leading to an increase in arteriocapillary blood flow, and acts to protect the normal function of the mucous membrane in humans. nn
Usages associés
Wound healing
GlcNAc promotes the proliferation of keratinocytes (epidermal cells) and fibroblasts (cells present in connective tissue) and increases hyaluronic acid production in the skin, which promotes wound healing. nn
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adult: 100 mg - 1000 mg
The typical dosage of N-acetylglucosamine is not available. It has been used safely up to a dose of 1 g per day orally and 6 g rectally. A 2% N-acetylglucosamine cream has been used safely for up to 10 weeks.
Interactions
Médicaments
Warfarin: strong interaction
Glucosamine may increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin and raise the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Avoid use due to lack of reliable and sufficient information.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Avoid use due to lack of reliable and sufficient information.
