Ankylosing spondylitis
Stem cell generation breakthrough for older people
A new technique has been developed for harvesting stem cells from older people with arthritis undergoing hip replacement surgery, says research published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine.
The team from the University of New South Wales in Australia has found that that certain tissue usually discarded during routine hip replacements (periosteum-derived stem cells) may be a rich source of adult stem cells, which could then be used in various regenerative medicine applications. “Remarkable similarities” were found between them and commercial bone marrow stem cells. Continue reading
Zebrafish research sheds light on possible bone regeneration
Research into bone regeneration in zebrafish could one day form the basis of treatments for bone diseases, says research published in Cell Reports.
Two molecular pathways have been found that allow adult zebrafish to replace bones lost after fin amputation. One turns existing bone cells into a developmental stem cell-like state, helping them to grow and replace lost cells; the other encourages the newly-formed cells to turn back into functional, organised bone. Continue reading
Ustekinumab examined as ankylosing spondylitis treatment
A drug called ustekinumab (Stelara) has had promising results in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) – a severe form of inflammatory back pain – according to a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
The trial involved an injection of 90mg of the drug at the start of the trial, week four and week 16 in 20 people with active AS. Continue reading
Corydalis yanhusuo plant: promising lead in pain relief for arthritis and fibromyalgia
The Corydalis yanhusuo plant is under scrutiny as a possible treatment for acute inflammation and nerve pain, says research published in Current Biology.
Derived from the roots of the plant that grows in Siberia, China and Japan, dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB) is said to be non-addictive and does not generate the tolerance seen with continued use of other pain relievers, such as morphine. Continue reading
Trial of degradable implant could give future hope for those with arthritis
A new degradable surgical implant could offer improved surgical success to people with arthritis, hernias and heart defects, says a research team from Oxford.
The protective patch, which wraps round soft tissue repairs, is made of a combination of resilient woven material (designed to encourage cells to grip and bond and withstand the stresses of movement after surgery) and a thread that is a hundred times finer than human hair. Continue reading
