Deciphering the molecular mechanisms of osteoarthritis by recapitulating the positive effects of exercise on osteoarthritis with mechanical intervention

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19367
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute (2022); National Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Sakitani Naoyosi 国立研究開発法人国立循環器病研究センター, 研究所, リサーチフェロー (30824859)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 運動 / 変形性膝関節症 / メカニカルストレス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

１） We developed an experimental system(passive head motion: PHM) that reproduces the acceleration generated in the head during rats’ treadmill running at a modest velocity (20 m/min), a typical experimental intervention to test the effects of physical exercise on rats.
2)PHM generated interstitial fluid movement in the rostral ventrolateral medulla, leading to fluid shear stress-induced decrease in the AT1R expression in astrocytes in situ, and thereby ameliorated hypertension.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

運動による健康増進効果は多岐にわたる。その効果は統計学的に証明されているが、分子メカニズムには不明な点が多い。運動効果の背景で間質液流動に伴う流体せん断力による細胞機能制御が重要な役割を果たすことを明らかとした本研究は、運動による健康増進効果の分子メカニズムの解明を目指す研究に新たな視点を提供する。