Biomaterial regenerates damaged cartilage in joints

A great discovery from Northwestern University scientists in the United States, who developed a new bioactive material that successfully reborn high-quality cartilage in animals. Research is published in the journal “Procedings of the National Academy of Sciences”. Although it looks like… elastic slime, the material that can regenerate cartilage on the knees is actually a complex network of molecular components, which work together to mimic the physical environment of the cartilage in the body. It consists of a bioactive peptide associated with a necessary protein for cartilage development and maintenance, Transformative growth factor beta-1, and modified hyaluronic acid, present in cartilage and joint fluid that lubricates joints. Researchers applied the material to damaged cartilage in the knee joints of sheep. As in humans, the cartilage of sheep is extremely difficult to regenerate, and also the knees of sheep and humans have similarities in weight bearing, size and mechanical loads. Microscope image of the new biomaterial. Nanoins are pink and hyaluronic acid is seen in purple color. CREDIT: Samuel I. Stupp/Northwestern University / APM – APM Within six months researchers noticed signs of enhanced rehabilitation, including the development of a new cartilage containing natural biopolymers (collagen and protoglycans), which allow the painless mechanical elasticity of joints. Researchers note that with more research the new material could be used in the future instead of full knee replacement operations, as well as for the treatment of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, and repairing sports related injuries. Source: RES – ICM