Novel System to Treat Osteo-Arthritis and Wrinkles Associated with Low Level of GAGs in the Cartilage and Skin.
GAGs (glycoaminoglycans) are the most abundant polysaccharides which play important roles in many body systems. GAGs are major constituents of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of cartilage, skin, blood vessels, synovial fluid, bone and others. Their deficiency is associated with a wide range of disorders.
Along with the high viscosity of GAGs comes low compressibility, which makes these molecules ideal for a lubricating fluid in the joints. When the GAGs found in articular cartilage are reduced or depleted, the body develops various forms of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, leading to a decrease in cartilage thickness and reduced cartilage stiffness.
Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability in adults. The disease involves progressive deterioration of articular cartilage with minimal inflammation. Osteoarthritis presently has no cure, and physicians have little hope that a cure will be available in the near future.
The current invention offers a novel therapy focused on increasing or replenishing the level of GAGs in the synovial fluid and cartilage, thereby relieving or even reversing symptoms of the disease.
This strategy may also be applied to aged wrinkled skin.