Dietary fatty acids backed for osteoarthritis protection: Mouse data
The study, published in Experimental Biology and Medicine, builds on previous research that suggested dietary fatty can improve joint function and reduce pain in osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and evidence suggesting fatty acids decrease both inflammatory markers and cartilage catabolism factors in preclinical studies.
Led by Yohann Wittrant from the Human Nutrition Unit at INRA –France, the team used a mouse model to test whether G-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40), a known fatty acid receptor, plays a role in the development of OA.
The team found that stimulation of the GPR40 preserved bone mass, while mouse modified to lack the receptor were reported to have ‘aggravated OA’.
"Our results clearly demonstrate that GPR40 invalidation heightens inflammation, cartilage catabolism, and bone remodelling resulting in an aggravated OA phenotype;" said study co-author Laurent-Emmanuel Monfoulet, who is also a researcher at the INRA Human Nutrition Unit.
