| Health / Health News |
Scientists develop gel that delivers drugs directly to diseased joints
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive condition affecting the lives of many people. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), a major subset of osteoarthritis that comprises 10% of diagnoses and disproportionally affects injured military personnel, has no effective therapeutic protocols that slow or stop the progression except for over-the-counter analgesics. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis leads to articular cartilage damage and results in big health care costs each year.
A new protein-based gel could introduce a new class of biomaterials. Photo: Shutterstock
Researchers based at New York University identified the molecular mechanism and therapeutic payload for delivering pharmacologic treatment directly to affected joints, effectively halting the onset and progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
The researchers combined compounds to develop a porous gel that can reach and envelop affected joints, reduce inflammation and induce regeneration.
The substance, referred to as E5C, is a protein-based gel that contains native, not synthetic, cartilage components that are nontoxic and biodegradable. The properties of E5C make it a viable candidate for injectable biomaterials.
"We have developed a unique protein-based gel capable of minimally invasive, sustained delivery of prospective therapeutics in OA," said researcher and co-author Jin Kim Montclare.
The researchers are planning subsequent studies to determine the efficacy of higher doses of Atsttrin in the E5C gel for preventive and therapeutic applications. (National Science Foundation)
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