Elucidation of the articular cartilage degeneration cascade caused by joint instability

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K17984
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied health science; Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Saitama Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Murata Kenji 埼玉県立大学, 保健医療福祉学部, 助教 (30792056)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 変形性膝関節症 / 関節不安定性 / 関節軟骨

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Articular cartilage is maintained in balance between the breakdown and synthesis of cartilage tissue. Previous studies have shown that joint instability is a key factor in the prevention of the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis. Moreover, inflammatory cytokines and chondrocyte-degrading enzymes, which contribute to the degradation of cartilage were suppressed in inhibited joint instability models

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

変形性膝関節症は国内でも罹患者の多い運動器疾患であるが、その原因や対処法については不明瞭な点も多い。そのなかで、関節不安定性に着目し、関節不安定性がメカニカルストレスの一要因として、軟骨変性を引き起こす可能性を報告した。このことは、関節のぐらつきを止めることで軟骨変性を抑制できる可能性を示し、今後のリハビリテーション分野における治療指針や予防方法を考える上で一助となることとが期待される