Antioxidant defender – ANP32A – protects against osteoarthritis

A protein called ANP32A that is involved in lots of processes in the cells protects cartilage in the joints against degradation says research from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. And this prevents the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Scientists found that ANP32A levels are decreased in osteoarthritis tissue samples from humans and mice. Gene expression profiling showed that ANP32A increases the levels of an enzyme called ATM as part of the response against oxidative stress in joint cartilage cells. Doses of the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) in drinking water reduced osteoarthritis symptoms and cartilage damage in mice deficient in ANP32A. And ANP32A deficiency was linked to osteopenia (bone loss), which could also be treated with NAC antioxidant therapy.

The findings suggest that some antioxidant treatments could be useful in preventing further cartilage damage and reducing the severity of osteoarthritis, and potentially other bone and brain disorders.