Category Health/Medical

Protective effects of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants and statins on cholesterol-induced osteoarthritis

High cholesterol might harm more than our cardiovascular systems. New research using animal models, published online in The FASEB Journal, suggests that high cholesterol levels trigger mitochondrial oxidative stress on cartilage cells, causing them to die, and ultimately leading to the development of osteoarthritis. This research tested the potential therapeutic role of mitochondria targeting antioxidants in high-cholesterol-induced osteoarthritis and provided proof-of-concept for the use of mitochondrial targeting antioxidants to treat osteoarthritis.

“Our team has already begun working alongside dietitians to try to educate the public about healthy eating and how to keep cholesterol...

Highlights •FAD mutations impair endocytosis and transcytosis of APP and lipoproteins •Reduced lipoprotein endocytosis and transcytosis are rescued by β-secretase inhibition

Researchers have confirmed that mutation-caused dysfunction in a process cells use to transport molecules within the cell plays a previously suspected but underappreciated role in promoting the heritable form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but also one that might be remedied with existing therapeutic enzyme inhibitors. “Our results further illuminate the complex processes involved in the degradation and decline of neurons, which is, of course, the essential characteristic and cause of AD,” said Prof. Larry Goldstein, PhD.

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss an...

Researchers used a common photocopy machine to measure the lengths of the index and ring fingers of 42 women. Half of these women were asked to solve different mental tasks after they had been given a drop of testosterone on their tongue. The goal was to determine the differences in how men’s and women’s brains work, and the significance of finger length and testosterone levels. Credit: Carl Pintzka / Kolbjørn Skarpnes, NTNU.

It is well-known that adults whose index finger is shorter than their ring finger were exposed to greater amounts of testosterone when they were in the womb. Both women and men with this characteristic are – on average – better equipped to solve mentally demanding 3D rotation tasks as adults...

Identification of fibrocartilage stem cells (blue) from the TMJ that spontaneously regenerate cartilage (red) when transplanted in vivo. Credit: Lab of Mildred C. Embree, DMD, PHD, Columbia University Medical Center

Columbia College of Dental Medicine researchers have identified stem cells that can make new cartilage and repair damaged joints. The cells reside within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which articulates the jaw bone to the skull. When the stem cells were manipulated in animals with TMJ degeneration, the cells repaired cartilage in the joint. A single cell transplanted in a mouse spontaneously generated cartilage and bone and even began to form a bone marrow niche...