Joint problems are a relatively common health problem. Most people encounter them in old age, but due to lifestyle factors, even young people can experience complications. The most common joint disease is osteoarthritis. However, recent medical research suggests that, thanks to current medical knowledge, significant changes could be made in the fight against this disease.

Osteoarthritis, which is also sometimes called osteoarthritis, is a chronic degenerative joint disease. In this problem, joint cartilage gradually wears down, resulting in pain, stiffness and limited movement. Usually, the disease affects older people. However, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and obesity cause complications in many young people.

A study in mice provides news

Scientists at Stanford University recently conducted research on mice to investigate exactly how cartilage tissue loss occurs and how it is linked to ageing. It turns out that the pathway leads to one particular protein in particular, which becomes more abundant in the body with age and disrupts tissue-repairing molecules. This is the 15-PGDH protein.

In older mice, tests showed that cartilage thickened after the 15-PGDH inhibitor was introduced. In young mice, suspending the protein was then able to protect the joints from the usual effects of osteoarthritis. It is therefore very likely that restricting the protein, which increases in joints with age, could similarly help against joint problems in humans.

Prevention for healthy joints is healthy movement and overall lifestyle. But a new medical breakthrough can also help significantly. ━━ Prevention for healthy joints is healthy movement and overall lifestyle. But a new medical breakthrough can also help significantly. ( Source: Nikola Murniece /  Unsplash+ )

A new way of tissue regeneration

How strong a person’s joints are depends a lot on lifestyle, of course. In some cases, however, even with the best efforts, people unfortunately suffer from joint complications later in life. The above-mentioned research could lead to a breakthrough in health care. “This is a new way of regenerating adult tissue and holds significant clinical promise for the treatment of arthritis caused by ageing or injury,” says microbiologist Helen Blau.

Human trials have even begun to confirm that the 15-PGDH protein can indeed be slowed down, helping joints to stay at least partially healthy for longer. Specifically, the researchers worked with tissue taken from people after knee surgery. When an inhibitor of the protein was used, it was found that not only was there less degeneration, but there was even regeneration of the damaged tissue.

“The mechanism is quite remarkable. It has really changed our view of how tissue regeneration can take place,” says orthopaedic scientist Nidhi Bhutani. However, the researchers caution that the tests are still in their early days and a lot of research still needs to be done. In the future, however, they could have an impact on how complications with joints, especially those associated with old age, are treated.