Joint fluid may have regenerative effect

GOETTINGEN, Germany, March 31 (UPI) -- German scientists say concentrations of the hormones testosterone in men and estrogen in women might have a positive effect on cartilage tissue regeneration.

The study, led by Dr. Nicolai Miosge from August University in Goettingen, Germany, suggests hormone replacement in the joint fluid of men and women might be beneficial in treating late stages of human osteoarthritis by regenerating damaged tissue.

The scientists said free moving joints, such as the knee and hip, produce smooth and painless limb movement when there is adequate transmission of forces between the bones and joint cartilage. But disturbances in joint architecture due to trauma, abnormal loads, endocrine diseases or inflammatory conditions may result in osteoarthritis.

Miosge and his team said they examined the regenerative potential of chondrogenic progenitor cells present during the late stages of osteoarthritis. The scientists hypothesized the progenitor cells might be influenced by sex steroids, and therefore hormone replacement therapy directed to the joint fluid could be beneficial in restoring damaged tissue. They discovered their hypothesis was correct.

The study, which included researcher Sebastian Koelling, appears in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.