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.