Novel strategies for the treatment of osteoarthritis

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Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a worldwide heterogeneous group of conditions that leads to joint symptoms, which are associated with defective integrity of articular cartilage, in addition to related changes in the underlying bone at the joint margins. The prevalence of the disease after the age of 65 years, is about 60% in men and 70% in women. The aetiology of osteoarthritis is multifactorial, with the end result being mechanical joint failure and varying degrees of loss of joint function. The pathophysiological events associated with osteoarthritis are beginning to be understood. Essential inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α, are involved initiating a vicious cycle of catabolic and degradative events in cartilage, mediated by metalloproteinases, which degrade cartilage extracellular matrix. The role of inflammation in the pathophysiology and progression of early osteoarthritis is supported further by the observation that C-reactive protein levels are raised in women with early knee osteoarthritis and hi...

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