Personalized Medicine for Arthritis Patients?
A study out of the DOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research conducted a study examining the whole-joint gene expression by RNA sequencing using a new, non-invasive tibial compression mouse model of Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), that mimics ACL rupture in humans from a single, high-impact injury. This could lead to personalized medicine for arthritis patients. About half of those who rupture their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knee will develop PTOA within 10-20 years following the injury.
This “wear and tear” arthritis osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints. Those suffering with the degenerative disease endure pain, stiffness and swelling due to the cartilage or cushioning between joints breaking down.
Researchers are trying to identify biomarkers of OA so that they can track the disease, while developing new pharmacologic interventions to minimalize cartilage damage. Together, these could help scientists developed personalized medical treatment for those with OA before the disease is all-consuming.
“The goal of the study was to see if there are biomarkers associated with cartilage degradation, which could then be further explored as therapeutic targets in future experiments,” one researcher said.
Through the study, the researchers found 1,446 genes differentially expressed in injured joints, including several known regulators of OA, as well as many new genes.
“This study provides the first account of gene expression changes associated with PTOA development and progression in this tibial compression model,” said another researcher on the project.
It looks like treatments and therapies are on the horizon for those individuals suffering from arthritis osteoarthritis.
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
