Scientists Reveal a Potential Treatment That Could Halt Knee and Spine Oa

(Newswire.net — June 27, 2022) Orlando, FL — Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent joint disease that affects more than 300 million people around the globe. Researchers continue to carry out studies looking into the potential cure for this condition. 

Scientists at the Krembil Research Institute introduce a novel therapeutic treatment that shows promise in halting knee and spine osteoarthritis in its tracks.

The findings of this paper titled “microRNA-181a-5p antisense oligonucleotides attenuate osteoarthritis in facet and knee joints,” were published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 

“This is important because there are currently no drugs or treatments available to patients that can stop osteoarthritis,” says Dr. Kapoor, a Krembil Senior Scientist and Arthritis Research Director at UHN, who spearheaded the study. 

This condition called osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the body’s spine, hand, knee, and hip joints.

“Current treatments for osteoarthritis address the symptoms, such as pain, but are unable to stop the progression of the disease,” says Dr. Kapoor. 

“The blocker we’ve tested is disease-modifying. It has the ability to prevent further joint destruction in both knee and spine.”

The researchers used a variety of experimental models, such as animal models and human tissue samples. They then zeroed in on a biomarker called microRNA-181a-5p, which is thought to also trigger inflammation, cartilage destruction, and collagen depletion.

Through the use of a blocker consisting of Locked Nucleic Acid-Antisense Oligonucleotides (LNA-ASO), the investigating team was able to halt the destruction and protect the cartilage.

“The blocker is based on antisense technology. When you inject this blocker into the joints, it blocks the destructive activity caused by microRNA-181-5p and stops cartilage degeneration,” said Dr. Akihiro Nakamura.

Dr. Nakamura is the first author of the paper and a post-doctoral research fellow in the Kapoor Lab.

More studies are still being carried out to look into the techniques potentially helpful in osteoarthritis management. 

Many OA sufferers today use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are beneficial but can also cause some side effects. The good news is that some all-natural remedies like the use of glucosamine may be helpful. 

Today, formulas like VitaBreeze Glucosamine are widely resorted to by athletes and individuals suffering from the condition. This supplement is packed with the arthritis-fighting goodness of glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and turmeric.

It continues to be a popular choice in the global market today and is believed to be superior to other brands. There are many who resort to its use as a safer alternative to NSAIDs (https://www.amazon.com/Glucosamine-Chondroitin-Turmeric-Dietary-Supplement/dp/B00DUMO9X4).