Lubricin can play an important role in keeping joints agile

Some relief for people having problems with their hip joints!! Duke University researchers have developed a method which enables specific measurement of biomechanical properties of hip joints in the case of mice. They have found out that lubricin which is a joint fluid has an important role to play in keeping joints agile. This has helped to come to a conclusion that treatments designed for increasing lubricin levels could aid in stopping the deterioration of arthritic joints. Tests conducted on mice showed that arthritic joints of mice lacked the gene which controlled production of lubricin showed greater friction as compared to joints of other animals and even at molecular level it demonstrated that joint cartilage of mutant animals appeared less stiff and rougher. This has suggested to the researchers that there can be a loss of cartilage mechanical integrity without requiring lubricin. Stefan Zauscher, Professor, Pratt School said: Lubricin has been considered important, but the experiments had not been done. This is the first look at the effects on biomechanics of lubricin’s presence or absence All this has opened a new window of hope for joint patients.