Scientists claim to have developed a new synthetic joint lubricant aimed at providing long lasting relief to millions of arthritis patients.
The unique polymer supplements synovial fluid, the natural lubricant in joints, and works better than comparable treatments currently available.
According to Mark W Grinstaff, Boston University Biomedical Engineer, the best fluid supplement now available offers temporary symptom relief but provides inadequate lubrication to prevent further degradation of the cartilage surfaces that cushion the joint.
To achieve both objectives, Grinstaff and colleagues have advanced the first synthetic synovial fluid.
The most common form of joint disease and a leading cause of disability in the elderly, osteoarthritis (OA) affects about 200 million people worldwide, researchers said.
While there's no cure for OA, one treatment - injection of a polymer to supplement synovial fluid in the joint - promises to relieve symptoms and slow the disease's progression by reducing wear on cartilage surfaces.
"From our studies, we know our bio-polymer is a superior lubricant in the joint, much better than the leading synovial fluid supplement, and similar to healthy synovial fluid.
"When we used this new polymer, the friction between the two cartilage surfaces was lower, resulting in less wear and surface-to-surface interaction. It's like oil for the joints," said Grinstaff.
The new polymer mimics some of the properties of natural polysaccharides, large compounds that link repetitive sequences of sugar molecules in a chainlike pattern.
"You put it between your fingers, and it's slippery," Grinstaff observed.
Another advantage of the bio-polymer is its large molecular weight or size, which prevents it from seeping out of the joint, enabling longer lasting cartilage protection.
Unlike the leading synovial fluid supplement, which lasts one or two days, the new polymer remains in the joint for more than two weeks.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
