Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and when the back is affected weakness or numbness of the arms and legs. The most commonly involved joints are those near the ends of the fingers, at the base of the thumb, neck, lower back, knee, and hips. Causes include previous joint injury, abnormal joint or limb development, and inherited factors. Osteoarthritis is believed to be caused by mechanical stress on the joint and low grade inflammatory processes.

Studies showed that the presence of active collagenases 1 and 3 at OA lesion sites is consistent with an important role of these enzymes in the cartilage degradation of OA in guinea pigs. The expression of collagenase 3 in medial tibial cartilage from guinea pigs may signify a role of this enzyme in cartilage remodeling with growth and development, or it may represent an early molecular manifestation of OA.