New hope in the treatment of arthritis

World largest genetic study of osteoarthritis provide new approaches to treatment

In the world’s largest genetic study of osteoarthritis changes in the genome have been discovered, which are associated with the disease. In addition, the researchers found approaches to partially existing medications for osteoarthritis.

Approximately five million Germans are affected by the disease

Osteoarthritis is the most widespread musculoskeletal disease in the world and the main cause for the corresponding disabilities. Here the help about five million people are affected according to the German osteoarthritis. So far, there are no disease-specific treatment. But there are some things that will help those Affected. In a new study, it has now been shown that certain partially already existing drugs, are promising candidates to test in the use against osteoarthritis.

Degenerative disease of the joints

In the case of osteoarthritis it is a degenerative disease of the joints. These take damage, lose mobility and begin to ache.

The pain is often excruciating. Therefore, many of the Affected save. However, exercise can alleviate in the case of osteoarthritis, the discomfort often.

By means of a Natural medicine to relieve arthritis pain and stiffness. To call, among other things, devil’s claw and stinging nettle are extract.

In addition, treatment options Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as well as procedures such as acupuncture, cupping and Qi Gong are useful in osteoarthritis.

An important role nutrition plays. You should eat for osteoarthritis no meat and little cheese. Not least Affected is mostly recommended to lose weight if you are Overweight.

Many patients are dependent on painkillers. Researchers report in a study of partially existing drugs, which are promising candidates to test in the use against osteoarthritis.

Changes in the genetic material

As the Helmholtz Zentrum München – German research center for environmental health, in a communication reported that scientists have discovered 52 new changes in the genome associated with osteoarthritis.

According to the figures, the number of the known Points is doubled. In the nearly 480.000 participants, largest ever, conducted by the genetic investigation of osteoarthritis, the researchers also found approaches to partially existing medications for osteoarthritis.

Was headed in in the journal “Nature Genetics” published the work of Prof. Dr. Eleftheria Zeggini, recently, Institute Director at Helmholtz Zentrum München. In a Video, she explains the background to the work.

DNA of arthritis patients analyzed

As it says in the message, according to researchers from the British Wellcome Sanger Institute analyzed together with the company, GSK, the genetic material of over 77,000 osteoarthritis patients and of more than 370,000 healthy people compared to go to the causes of disease and find new treatment options.

The samples came from the arcOGEN study, and the UK Biobank in the UK. The scientists included many different arthritis types, including those in the knees and hips.

Genes are very likely the cause of osteoarthritis

“Osteoarthritis is a very common, incurable disease,” commented Prof. Dr. Eleftheria Zeggini, Director of the newly founded Institute for Translational genomics at the Helmholtz center in Munich and previously at the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

“We have carried out the largest study on arthritis, and over 50 new genetic changes found that the risk of disease increase. This is a great step forward for the development of therapies that could help millions of people.“

To find out which genes are responsible for the disease, had taken the team of scientists, in addition to the genetic, functional genomic data and the gene activity and protein expression analyzed.

So, the researchers could see which genes were particularly read often, and are converted to proteins. The appropriate tissue derived from osteoarthritis patients undergoing joint replacement surgery.

By merging several different data sets, the scientists were able to identify the genes that are very likely to be the cause of the osteoarthritis.

According to the figures, ten of which are already the target of drugs that are either in clinical development or already against osteoarthritis and other diseases, are admitted.

According to the researchers, these drugs would be promising candidates to test in the use against osteoarthritis.

Disease acts very differently to the people

“In the whole of the UK, more than 8.5 million people are affected by osteoarthritis,” said Dr. Stephen Simpson, Director of research of the charitable organizations Versus Arthritis of the arcOGEN study.

“We know that the disease affects very differently to the people: A treatment that works for one Person, may not be necessary for another Person may not be successful,” said the expert.

“Therefore, this study represents an important milestone in order to understand the complexity of osteoarthritis and to find new treatment options,” says Dr. Simpson.

“In the long term, the research should help to stop the pain, the Isolation, and the exhaustion of the people with Arthritis.” (ad)