Apples for Health- Lack of Lubricant Linked with Joint Wear

Lack of Lubricant Linked with Joint Wear

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. study has, for the first time, linked increased friction with early wear in the joints of animals.

Brown University researchers led by physician-engineer Dr. Gregory Jay have demonstrated mice that do not produce the protein lubricin begin to show wear in their joints fewer than two weeks after birth.

Jay, an associate professor of emergency medicine and engineering, said the finding not only demonstrates the protective power of lubricin and how joints work, but also suggests lubricin or a similar substance could be injected directly into joints inflamed by arthritis or injury, providing a preventive treatment that might reduce the need for painful and costly joint replacement surgery.

The research included Jahn Torres, a former Brown graduate student, David Rhee, a former graduate student at Case Western Reserve University; and scientists from the University of Kuopio in Finland; Rhode Island Hospital; Boston Children�s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and appears in the current issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.

� 2007 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
--

Friends of Apples for Health

Affordable Health Insurance - Free, no obligation quotes on affordable health insurance

Texas Vacation Rentals - Family oriented lake house and cabin rentals on secluded guest ranch.

Pond Supplies-Water Treatments, Algae control, Pumps, Filtersand other Maintenance Product