New research shows that an injectable substance can repair cartilage damage within six months. Scientists are now developing this technology to soon use it in humans.
Gelatinous injectable substance that could heal joints PHOTO: Shuterstock
It is an injectable “gelatin” that can regenerate cartilage in the body. So far, researchers have only tested it on sheep, but it could be used to repair joint damage in humans, the researchers say, writes Live Science. They hope the substance can treat injuries caused by degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis and sports-related injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
Cartilage is a strong and flexible tissue that lines the surface of joints such as the knees.
As we age, the cartilage in our joints gradually deteriorates. It can also be damaged by injury. As the cartilage wears away, people may experience joint pain and struggle to walk.
“When cartilage wears down or breaks down over time, it can have a big impact on people’s overall health and mobility,” Samuel Stupp, co-author of the study and director of the Simpson Querrey Institute, told the source.
One of the main treatments for cartilage injuries is microfracture surgery. However, often the cartilage that forms after this surgery—fibrocartilage—is weaker and less wear-resistant than the cartilage normally found in joints, called hyaline cartilage.
Stupp and his colleagues have now created a type of injectable biomaterial that can regenerate cartilage in joints. They described their invention in a study published Monday, Aug. 5, in the journal PNAS.
“Our new therapy can induce repair of a tissue that does not regenerate naturally. This could solve the problem of reduced mobility and joint pain in the long term,” Stupp said.
