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Related Concept Videos

The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
Aging01:26

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age01:27

Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age

Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Tissue Collection and RNA Extraction from the Human Osteoarthritic Knee Joint
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Tissue Collection and RNA Extraction from the Human Osteoarthritic Knee Joint

Published on: July 22, 2021

Aging and osteoarthritis: an inevitable encounter?

Thomas Hügle1, Jeroen Geurts, Corina Nüesch

  • 1Osteoarthritis Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel University, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.

Journal of Aging Research
|June 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Aging significantly impacts osteoarthritis (OA) by altering cartilage, bone, and muscle. Physical activity and exploring treatments like mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are key for managing this age-related joint disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Orthopedics
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent, age-related degenerative joint disease with significant health and economic impacts.
  • Aging influences OA pathogenesis through molecular changes in cartilage matrix proteins, bone structural integrity, and joint-supporting tissues.
  • Inflammation and reduced musculoskeletal repair capacity in the elderly exacerbate OA development and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the multifaceted mechanisms by which aging contributes to osteoarthritis.
  • To highlight the role of age-related changes in cartilage, bone, muscle, and inflammation in OA pathogenesis.
  • To discuss potential therapeutic avenues, including physical activity and emerging stem cell therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular and cellular changes associated with aging in the context of osteoarthritis.
  • Analysis of the contribution of sarcopenia, muscle atrophy, and joint instability to OA.
  • Examination of the role of inflammation and reduced stem cell capacity in OA development.

Main Results:

  • Aging leads to altered collagen cross-linking, reduced cartilage function, and impaired bone plasticity.
  • Muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) in the elderly decreases joint stability, contributing to OA.
  • Inflammation and diminished stem cell repair capacity are increasingly recognized as critical factors in OA.

Conclusions:

  • Aging is a primary driver of OA through molecular, structural, and functional changes in the musculoskeletal system.
  • Physical activity and physiotherapy are recommended for the elderly to improve muscle mass and potentially mitigate inflammation.
  • Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapies are under investigation for OA, though their efficacy requires further evidence.