Take care of your horses’ cartilage with chondroitin sulfate

Chondroitin sulphate is the main component of cartilage: it contributes to its elasticity and inhibits its degradation by lysosomal enzymes (elastase and hyaluronidase). Moreover, this substance strongly attracts water and, therefore, contributes to joint lubrication, thus increasing glucosamine’s beneficial effect on cartilage.

There are two different chemical fractions of chondroitin sulphate: fraction A (CSA) and fraction C (CSC). These fractions are fundamental for the body’s well-being and may be found in different amounts according to the animal from which they are extracted: CSA, also known as chondroitin-4-sulphate, generally derives from terrestrial animals and is one of the main components of cartilage. CSC or chondroitin-6-sulphate, on the other hand, is mainly present in products derived from marine animals and is one of the substances composing the cornea.

Nowadays, chondroitin sulphate is mainly used as an ingredient for creams for external use, for it can store water up to 30 times its own weight and, therefore, provides a hydrating effect to the skin. Nevertheless, this substance also has other important properties:

• it helps reduce articular inflammation;
• it facilitates the production of synovial fluid, thus rebuilding cartilage;
• it reduces arthritis-related pain without causing side effects, which, on the contrary, are typical of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• it is not considered as doping and, therefore, its administration is allowed during competitions.

Unfortunately, the amount of chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine stored in cartilage decreases as the subject gets older, while, on the other hand, lysosomal enzymes are more and more active. Therefore, it is necessary to orally supplement old horses, generally from age 8 on, with these substances. Moreover, as the subject’s age increases, another metabolic phenomenon takes place: the level of collagenases, which are enzymes in charge of the destruction of damaged collagen, increases. Nevertheless, in case of trauma or biological conditions, which are not fully known yet, collagenases attack healthy collagen protein structures: chondroitin sulphate can reduce this enzymes’ level in order to preserve healthy collagen fibres.

 

WHAT DOES UNIKA SUGGEST?

Unika offers two products containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate: a powder one (Condro Plus) and a liquid one (Procartil), which meets the needs of those horses that don’t like a great amount of powder products in their manger.

Condro Plus is the complementary feed especially conceived to stimulate proper production of synovial fluid, maintain proper articular cartilage functioning and improve joints functioning and cartilage lubrication. From 8 years old on, horses’ diet should always be integrated with Condro Plus. In fact, from this age on, the rate of tissue breakdown exceeds the rate of synovial fluid production. Synovial fluid amount decreases progressively and, therefore, its production needs to be supported and stimulated (https://bit.ly/Condro_Plus_EN) .

Procartil is the liquid complementary feed conceived to maintain the health of both articular cartilage and synovial fluid. Formulated with glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulphate, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, ensuring a long-lasting effect, and vitamin C, Procartil helps improve the horse’s cartilage resistance to mechanical stresses, thus assuring proper joint mobility. Particularly useful for showjumping horses, for their joints are exposed to prolonged, frequent and hard stress, Procartil is recommended to maintain joint health, especially in old subjects (https://bit.ly/Procartil_EN).

For further information about these products, including instructions for use, visit each product’s page on this website or send an email to info@lineaunika.it.