By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Telomeres Point to New Osteoarthritis Therapies
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Technology > Medical Innovations > Telomeres Point to New Osteoarthritis Therapies
DiagnosticsMedical InnovationsNews

Telomeres Point to New Osteoarthritis Therapies

Patti Doherty
Patti Doherty
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Osteoarthritis is a devastating and extremely common disease.  It can be caused by aging, heredity and injury from trauma or disease.  About 46 million people in the U.S. (and more than half of all people older than 75) have some form of arthritis, which costs this country about $128 billion a year in treatments, rehabilitation, and lost productivity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.   

Osteoarthritis is a devastating and extremely common disease.  It can be caused by aging, heredity and injury from trauma or disease.  About 46 million people in the U.S. (and more than half of all people older than 75) have some form of arthritis, which costs this country about $128 billion a year in treatments, rehabilitation, and lost productivity, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.   

There is no successful treatment for osteoarthritis, but an intriguing talk we saw at TedMed 2011 made a connection between this disease and telomeres, the “caps” on the end of chromosomes that play a strong role in aging.

As part of Popper and Co.’s efforts to bring you the latest in health care innovation, strategy and business development, we are highlighting new research that shows that telomere shortening associated with aging can not only be influenced by stress and psychological states of mind, but also may accelerate the development of osteoarthritis. 

More Read

Walmart. Save Money. Live Better.
Walmart Moves Health Care Forward Again
How can Artificial Intelligence in healthcare help patient engagement?
Best Hospital to Treat Prostate Cancer
Coordinating Care by Reporting What Didn’t Happen
Pharma: Funding R&D: High Prices, Overuse A Failed Strategy

A recent paper reported that in cartilage cells (chondrocytes) of patients with osteoarthritis, telomere lengths were shortened much more than patients without the disease. In this study, a Danish research team used a newly developed universal single telomere length assay that measures telomere lengths. The team found that telomeres were much shorter in cells that were nearer to the damaged areas of the joint. In addition, higher numbers of shortened telomeres were found in more severe cases.

This study is remarkable because it is one of the first studies of telomeres in human patients, and because it made use of a new assay technology that could more precisely measure telomere length and relate it to disease progression. Other papers have made connections between osteoarthritis, oxidative stress and telomere length.

All of this points to new therapeutic possibilities for osteoarthritis. Could reversing telomere shortening halt osteoarthritis? Or is it already too late when you see telomere shortening? How could we control oxidative stress on chondrocytes to prevent  or slow the progression of osteoarthritis? Do you see this as having therapeutic promise for the life sciences industry? Let us know what you think.

 

Original article

TAGGED:osteoarthritisosteoarthritis therapiesosteoarthritis treatmenttelomeres
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025
contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025

You Might also Like

NewsSpecialtiesWellness

New Study Links Infertility to Flame Retardants in Furniture and Carpet

September 25, 2017
compassionate use
BusinesseHealthNewsSocial Media

Cancer Patient’s Compassionate Use Conundrum Leads to Social Media Ambush on BioMarin

September 25, 2013
mobisante ultrasound device
BusinesseHealthMedical DevicesMedical InnovationsTechnology

Interview with Sailesh Chutani, CEO of Mobisante

January 27, 2015
Health ReformMedical DevicesMedical EducationMedical EthicsMedical Innovations

Here’s Why Plastic Surgery Shouldn’t Be Taboo Anymore

June 3, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?