Investigating effects of lubrication on cartilage degradation using injectable hydrogels

This proposal attempts to evaluate biolubrication as a mechanism that can be targeted in design of new treatment options for patients with early-stage osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a progressive musculoskeletal disorder and is the most dominant cause of adult disability in the world. Currently, more than 4 million Canadians are diagnosed with OA, and this number is expected to increase by 50% by year 2040. In addition to experiencing pain and reduced mobility, OA patients are twice more likely to develop mental health problems and be out of the workforce, making this disease a significant social and economic burden in Canada. The current treatments mainly focus on pain management, and there is not any effective treatment that can slow down the progression of the disease. Therefore, developing such treatments is of significant importance for Canadians. In this project, several multidisciplinary teams of experts at Dalhousie University, led by Prof. Adibnia, collaborate with Oligo Medic Inc., an industrial partner based in Montreal with established expertise in developing treatments for musculoskeletal disorders, to discover a new approach for preventing OA progression. We hypothesize an original idea that effective joint lubrication can lead to cartilage protection, and it can be used as a treatment for preventing joint degradation at early stages of the OA progression. We will test natural joint lubricants to verify this hypothesis in various physiologically relevant models. For an immediate impact, the results of this study will be translated by Oligo Medic Inc. into commercially available products that can be administered to early-stage OA patients and prevent their disease progression. Results of this project will not only provide health and economical impacts for Canadians, but will also improve understanding of scientists about the process of biolubrication in human joints, making a significant impact on the future of OA treatment options.