Results of a study published in the journal Nature Communications indicate that intra-articular injections of the molecule adenosine prevent the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in rats by helping healthy chondrocytes maintain cartilage. 

The researchers found that reduction in chondrocytes is driven by lower levels of adenosine surrounding the cells and also by loss of adenosine A2A receptors on the surface of the cells. They conclude that maintaining extracellular adenosine levels and targeting A2A receptors may represent a novel approach to treating OA. Learn more...