Something that I am starting to use as a rule of thumb to find possible chemical compounds that can lead to at least a little bit of height increase in adults is that if it seems to have ability to decrease the symptoms of arthritis or osteoarthritis, there is a good chance it would help in improving the physiological function and structure of the articular cartilage in the end of our long bones, like the hip and knees. As a result, it might mean that it makes the cartilage layer thicker, giving us a few millimeters of extra height.

Something I did find which is used in improving knee osteoarthritis is known as sodium pentosan polysulfate. There are just a few of the studies I’ve found which shows its possible clinical uses.

Study #1: Sodium pentosan polysulfate resulted in cartilage improvement in knee osteoarthritis – An open clinical trial

Background

Pentosan polysulfate sodium (pentosan) is a semi-synthetic drug manufactured from beech-wood hemicellulose by sulfate esterification of the xylopyranose hydroxyl groups. From in vitro and animal model studies, pentosan has been proposed as a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD). The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction in patients with mild radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) findings and OA-associated symptoms and signs.

Methods

“…Treatment consisted of 6 weekly subcutaneous injections (sc) of pentosan (2 mg/kg). Patients were clinically assessed at entry and 1 to 8, 11, 15, 24 & 52 weeks post treatment.”

Study #2: Pentosan Polysulfate: A Novel Therapy for the Mucopolysaccharidoses

Abstract

Pentosan polysulfate (PPS) is an FDA-approved, oral medication with anti-inflammatory and pro-chondrogenic properties. We have previously shown that animal models of the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) exhibit significant inflammatory disease, contributing to cartilage degeneration. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) only partly reduced inflammation, and anti-TNF-alpha antibody therapy significantly enhanced clinical and pathological outcomes. Here we describe the use of PPS for the treatment of MPS type VI rats.

I did some research on the references and citations of the 2nd study and it did mention one study published which I think most other height increase researchers would agree makes the Pentosan a very good candidate as another possible chemical compound which has chondrocyte proliferation and eventual height increasing potential. The study is…

Pentosan polysulfate promotes proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of adulthuman bone marrow-derived mesenchymal precursor cells.

Authors: Ghosh P, Wu J, Shimmon S, Zannettino AC, Gronthos S, Itescu S.

From the conclusions…

“This is the first study to demonstrate that PPS promotes MPC proliferation and chondrogenesis, offering new strategies for cartilage regeneration and repair in osteoarthritic joints.”

Results

Significant MPC proliferation was evident by day 3 at PPS concentrations of 1 to 5 microg/ml (P < 0.01). In the presence of 1 to 10 microg/ml PPS, a 38% reduction in IL-4/IFNgamma-induced MPC apoptosis was observed. In 5-day MMC, 130% stimulation of PG synthesis occurred at 2.5 microg/ml PPS (P < 0.0001), while 5.0 microg/ml PPS achieved maximal stimulation in the 7-day and 10-day cultures (P < 0.05). HA and DS at > or = 5 microg/ml inhibited PG synthesis (P < 0.05) in 5-day MMC. Collagen type II deposition by MMC was significant at > or = 0.5 microg/ml PPS (P < 0.001 to 0.05). In MPC-PPS pellet cultures, more PG, collagen type II but less collagen type I was deposited than in controls. Real-time PCR results were consistent with the protein data. At 5 and 10 microg/ml PPS, MPC osteogenic differentiation was suppressed (P < 0.01).

Interpretation of the Abstract

Just from a small dosage ranging from 2.5-10 micrograms/mL of the PPS, 5 major things happened.

1. Increase in the adult adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells
2. Reduction in Interleukin-4 induced MSCs apoptosis
3. Stimulated more proteoglycan synthesis
4. Collagen Type II by the stem cells were increased
5. The PPS also managed to suppress the stem cells from turning into bone cells.

All I can say it that this new compound Sodium Pentosan Polysulfate, aka Pentosan, has some really promising features which would make it good as an additional compound used for the height increase research.