New Discovery offers hope to sufferers of osteoarthiritis

Osteoarthritis, wearing of the cartilage between joints, results in the breakdown of this slippery tissue that serves to protect the bones and cause them to easily glide over one another. Through mechanical wear this can produce pain and uncomfortable swelling and often lack of movement. A study conducted in North Carolina has directly taken a look at the mechanical wear while using a glycoprotein synovial fluid, Lubricin which is both a "lubricant of artcular cartilage and an anti-adhesive protein" . Directly focusing on cartilige wear instead of friction and lubrication, a study not done before, they were able to see a clear correlation between Lubricin and reduced cartilage wear. This proof of physiological protection to the cartilage tissue prove hopeful for more uses and future joint disease prevention.

This article personally interests me as a frequent runner. As runners, while we are advised to not run on concrete and wear fully supportive shoes, we inevitably are putting tremendous amounts of contact force on our joints and can increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis through mechanical wear of the cartilage tissue in our knees and ankles. Development and testing of materials like Lubricin provide hope and further research into areas of not only joint disease treatment, but potential prevention. This study, directly examining the wear, or lack of with Lubricin is leading to a greater understanding that may eventually help runners and reduce the prevalence of joint disease.

Kate Vincent
artice URL - http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/health/new-discovery-offers-hope-to-sufferers-of-osteoarthritis_100448846.html

additonal info - http://www.sbhsciences.com/Lubricin.asp