BEIJING September 04. 2024 (Saba) - A team of materials engineers and orthopedic specialists from several institutions in China have developed a hydrogel to slow or stop the progression of osteoporosis.
Chinese media reported on Wednesday that osteoporosis is known as a degenerative disease that affects the joints, where the cartilage and lining-like tissues within the spaces where the joints meet weaken, leading to increased friction and preventing the lower movement of the joint, as well as pain in many cases.
This is due to multiple factors, such as an autoimmune response or poor exercise habits.
Previous studies have led to the development of treatments such as saline or corticosteroid injections.. But neither of them completely reduces friction or pain, and the injections must be repeated every few months.
In the new study, the research team developed a hydrogel that works much better than other treatments, he said.
The researchers made the hydrogel by mixing hollow spheres with a chemical compound called a polymer to create a slippery substance. To hold the gel in place in the joint, they added a targeting antibody that "binds to both the microspheres and the damaged cartilage."
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