Prolotherapy Research - Articular Cartilage Regeneration |
A Scientific Editorial - Articular Cartilage Regeneration
Increased Articular Cartilage Thickness in Acromegaly
One of the major problems in osteoarthritis care today is traditional medicine’s inability to promote effective cartilage regeneration in the presence of adult chondromalacia (cartilage degeneration). Yet such regeneration is consistently present in acromegalics. Acromegaly is a condition whereby the pituitary gland secretes too much human growth hormone (HGH). It is a disease characterized by the gradual enlargement of the bones of the hands, feet, head and chest, and thickening of the skin, lips and vocal cords. What is also characteristic of this condition is that there is an excessive amount of articular cartilage in both weight-bearing (knees) and non-weight-bearing joints.[19] Acromegalics often suffer from joint abnormalities caused by the proliferation of chondrocytes in articular cartilage. Since this condition typically occurs after puberty, the increased human growth hormone secretion in acromegaly somehow, either directly or indirectly, stimulates adult chondrocytes (cartilage cells) to make cartilage. People with acromegaly have tremendously thick articular cartilage, which can be diminished by decreasing their HGH secretion.[20]
HGH is known to cause the liver to increase production of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Circulating and locally produced IGF-1 is known to stimulate DNA synthesis, cell replication, and proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in articular chondrocytes.[21] IGF-1 and HGH have both been shown to stimulate the growth and repair of adult articular cartilage.[22,23,24] One reason for this cartilage growth can be that some cartilage cells have HGH receptors.[25]
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