Removing old cells can delay arthritis

Hyderabad: Selective removal of old cells from the body of an aging person is now being considered as a potential treatment process for arthritis, according to breakthrough research carried out by Mayo Clinic College of Medicine along with other research institutes.  

The study found that selective removal of old cells or senescent cells from the joints can help to delay the onset of osteoarthritis. 

Dr Shruthi Sripathi, rheumatologist, explained, “The research of recent years has established that osteoarthritis is not simply a passive ‘wear and tear’ disorder, but rather a complex age-related disease involving various factors, ranging from inflammatory mediators to epigenetic alterations. The current treatment offered is pain management and later joint replacement surgery. But this research sheds new light. By using senolytic drugs, old cells are targeted and that could be the treatment of the future.” 

Research has shown that cellular senescence is a sign of aging. Dr Ravi K Reddy, senior orthopedic surgeon, explained, “When cells grow old they no longer divide or support the tissue. Instead they send a cocktail of harmful chemical signals causing inflammation and also drive the aging process.” 

But how can doctors identify old cells? Despite remarkable advances, identifying old cells has been a challenge. Lipofuscin, a non-degradable oxidation product of lipids, proteins and metals, is found in senescent cells. 

Detection of lipofuscin using a staining procedure can help in identifying them but it requires more research as currently, it is in a nascent but promising stage explained experts.