The gel is injected into a damaged joint where it stimulates bone marrow cells to produce natural cartilage, according to the report. The nanoscopic material does this by promoting the growth of cartilage containing type II collagen, the major protein found in articular cartilage that covers the ends of bones where they meet joints in the body.
In current surgical techniques to repair damaged cartilage, called microfracture, type I collagen, which is similar to scar tissue, is produced. Researchers tested the material in animals and found the gel produced better results than microfracture alone.
This development could be useful as older adults, as well as amateur and professional athletes, are unable to regenerate damaged cartilage, which can lead to pain, loss of function and osteoarthritis.
The study is published in the Feb. 9 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Read the HealthDay article on nanofiber gel for the growth of new cartilage.
