New Discovery in Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is uncontrolled inflammation that causes pain, stiffness, loss of mobility, and the gradual disappearance of cartilage, which prevents bones from rubbing against each other. A recent scientific discovery could change the future of one of the most common diseases of aging, osteoarthritis, which is much more than just the 'wear and tear' of joint cartilage. The medication also worked on human cartilage obtained from patients who had knee surgery. If human trials are successful, in the future there could be regenerative cartilage therapies, less surgery and prosthetics, and more mobility and quality of life. Luis Montel, a specialist in traumatology, aesthetics, nutrition, and anti-aging medicine, explained that inside the joints there are cells that are responsible for defending us, and when everything is going well, they help repair damage. However, in osteoarthritis, these cells get confused and release inflammatory substances that damage the joint. 'More studies in people, safety tests, and time are needed to confirm the results,' said the doctor. A recent study from Stanford University discovered that in joints with osteoarthritis, a protein called 15-PGDH accumulates, which acts as a 'switch' that increases inflammation, prevents cartilage from repairing itself, and accelerates the destruction of the joint. This protein is responsible for the disease to progress, but if it is blocked, it causes the cartilage to grow again, which was evidenced by an experimental drug that blocks 15-PGDH and was tested on mice. Montel commented that this is not just stopping the disease, but reversing it. Not yet. Science has found the 'button' that starts the destruction and the way to turn it off. 'Does this mean that the cure already exists?'