A newly published study in Nature has found that the molecule Nav1.7 plays a crucial role in osteoarthritis (OA) by regulating chondrocyte metabolism and causing pain in the condition. Mice with reduced Nav1.7 expression showed a decrease in pain associated with OA, but the disease itself progressed. On the other hand, the inhibition of Nav1.7 in chondrocytes led to an increased in anabolic pathways and decreased catabolic activity, resulting in improved OA features. Nav1.7 blockade was also found to lead to significantly reduced joint damage and preserved joint structure, offering a potential dual target for developing new treatments for OA.
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Epilepsy drug may alleviate joint degeneration associated with osteoarthritis
