title: Which elements are involved in reversible and irreversible cartilage degradation in osteoarthritis?
abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the entire joint. Different treatment strategies for OA have been proposed and tested clinically without the desired efficacy. One reason for the scarcity of current chondroprotective agents may be the insufficient understanding of the patho-physiology of the joint and whether the joint damage is reversible or irreversible. In this review, we compile emerging data on cellular and pathological aspects of OA, and ask whether these data could give clue to when cartilage degradation is reversible and whether a point-of-no-return exists. We highlight different stages of OA, and speculate whether different intervention strategies (e.g. DMOAD vs. SMOADs) may only be efficacious at distinct stages of OA.
authors.affiliation: Nordic Bioscience A/S, Herlev Hovedgade 207, Herlev, Denmark. acbj@nordicbioscience.com
authors.forename: Anne-Christine
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bay-Jensen
authors.forename: Suzi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoegh-Madsen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dam
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.forename: Bodil Cecillie
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Sondergaard
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pastoureau
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Qvist
authors.forename: Morten A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Karsdal
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007596:Joints / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020127:Recovery of Function
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents