Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine have created a promising injection therapy for osteoarthritis that both reduces inflammation and repairs joint cartilage. Research published in the journal Science Advances.
Most often, osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical or traumatic stress on the joint, causing cartilage damage that cannot be naturally repaired. In healthy joints, when an injury occurs, the body sends an “army” of inflammatory-stimulating cells to the injury site to help clean up the damaged tissue. However, the inflammation in osteoarthritis leads to even more damage to the cartilage. This causes severe pain, swelling and often limits patients’ daily activities.
Researchers have confirmed that the inflammatory environment in damaged cartilage inhibits the healing process. Scientists have developed a therapy that changes this environment and regenerates cartilage. This reduces inflammation, reduces cartilage damage, and reduces the activity of nerve cells responsible for pain.
The therapy was tested on nine patients with osteoarthritis who each received one or two injections. Efficacy pain scale was evaluated by MRI before and after treatment, and biopsy was taken from one patient. After the treatment, the patients’ quality of life improved and their pain decreased. In addition, MRI studies have confirmed cartilage regeneration. Additional clinical studies are needed to evaluate outcomes in a larger patient population.