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 to replace 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 chloride, which may worsen the condition of patients with hypertension. The glucosamine sulfate potassium chloride developed by Jiangsu Shuanglin Marine Bio-Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., replaces sodium chloride with potassium chloride. While retaining the anti-inflammatory and cartilage repair effects, it also provides metabolic benefits by regulating sodium-potassium balance, achieving the dual effect of disease treatment and cardiovascular protection.

Clinical studies have shown that this drug not only promotes cartilage repair, relieves pain, and improves joint function, but also prevents hypokalemia by supplementing potassium ions, reduces NSAID side effects, and avoids sodium chloride intake, lowering the risk of hypertension. Its safety advantages are 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 "one drug, multiple effects," improving patient compliance and significantly 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. It mainly engages in chitosan extraction from shrimp and crab shells, chitosan derivative product development, chitosan marine drug research and development and production, chitosan sixth element health product manufacturing and sales, and chitosan agricultural technology demonstration and promotion. 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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