[Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate do not enhance anticoagulation activity of warfarin in mice in vivo].

As an adverse event, it has been reported that anticoagulation activity of warfarin was enhanced by simultaneous intakes of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. However, it is unclear whether these is a causative relation. Therefore, in the present study, we evaluated whether glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate enhanced the anticoagulant action of warfarin in mice in vivo, focusing on hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYPs)-mediated mechanisms. Mice were fed a diet containing various doses of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate (0, 0.3, 1% (w/w)) for 2 weeks, and given warfarin by gavage on the last 2 days of the treatment regimen. Doses of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate were 443 mg/kg and 464 mg/kg in the 0.3% diet groups, and 1523 mg/kg and 1546 mg/kg in the 1% diet groups. We found that 1% glucosamine significantly shortened prothrombin time and thrombotest Owen in animals given warfarin. However, the two ingredients did not induce or inhibit hepatic CYPs, including (S)-warfarin hydroxylase. These findings suggest that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate do not affect the anticoagulation activity of warfarin through hepatic CYP mediated-mechanisms.