With China's accelerating aging population, osteoarthritis has become a significant health threat to the elderly. Statistics show that there are over 150 million osteoarthritis patients in China, facing the dual challenges of disease treatment and cardiovascular protection. In 2022, Jiangsu Shuanglin Marine Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., in collaboration with China Pharmaceutical University and East China University of Science and Technology, successfully developed the world's first osteoarthritis drug using potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride – glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride, providing a safer and more effective treatment option for osteoarthritis patients in China.

Innovative Breakthrough: Replacing Sodium with Potassium to Overcome Treatment Challenges

Traditional osteoarthritis treatments have significant limitations. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to hypokalemia, while common glucosamine sulfate sodium chloride drugs on the market contain sodium salts, potentially exacerbating the condition of patients with hypertension. The glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride developed by Jiangsu Shuanglin Marine Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., replaces sodium with potassium, retaining anti-inflammatory and cartilage repair effects while providing metabolic benefits through sodium-potassium balance regulation, achieving both disease treatment and cardiovascular protection.

Clinical studies show that this drug not only promotes cartilage repair, relieves pain, and improves joint function, but also prevents hypokalemia by supplementing potassium ions, reducing NSAID side effects, and avoiding sodium intake to lower the risk of hypertension. Its safety advantage is significant, especially suitable for elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases or those requiring long-term medication.

International Research Corroboration: Clinical Value of Replacing Sodium with Potassium

In August 2022, a study jointly published in the international authoritative journal "Heart" by the University of New South Wales, Australia, Newcastle University, Peking University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harbin Medical University confirmed that replacing sodium with potassium can lower blood pressure and reduce all-cause mortality risk by 11%, cardiovascular risk by 13%, and the risk of heart disease or stroke by 11%. This finding provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride.

Significant Social Benefits Contribute to Healthy Aging

Compared with traditional drugs, glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride has significant advantages in electrolyte balance, cardiovascular safety, and long-term medication safety. Its widespread application will reduce hospitalization and treatment costs for complications caused by hypertension and cardiovascular events, improving patients' quality of life. In addition, this drug simplifies medication regimens through "multi-effect in one drug," improving patient compliance and having significant implications for reducing the medical burden.

The United States Pharmacopeia Convention believes that this innovative achievement by Jiangsu Shuanglin Marine Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., has made significant contributions to global public health. In the future, glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride is expected to be further expanded to the treatment of high-risk populations such as metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease, promoting the development of precision medicine.

It is understood that Jiangsu Shuanglin Marine Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., established in 1973, is a national high-tech enterprise and a national agricultural industrialization leading enterprise, mainly engaged in chitosan extraction from shrimp and crab shells, development of chitosan derivatives, R&D and production of chitosan marine drugs, manufacturing and sales of chitosan sixth element health products, and demonstration and promotion of chitosan agricultural technology. This breakthrough marks significant progress in China's osteoarthritis treatment field, demonstrating the R&D strength and innovation potential of domestic pharmaceutical companies, and providing better treatment options for patients worldwide.

Source: Xinhua Net Editor: Gao Ruidong

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