Are crocodiles the key to treating arthritis and joint injuries?

Soon no more joint problems thanks to crocodiles?

Many people in upper age suffer from arthritis or joint problems. Researchers have now discovered that crocodiles seem to hold the key to treating joint injuries and arthritis.

Central Queensland University scientists found in their current research that crocodiles could improve the treatment of joint injuries and arthritis. Can crocodiles really carry the key to converting human stem cells into cartilage? The experts are convinced. This cartilage could then be used to treat joint injuries and arthritis.

Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease caused by germs or rheumatoid diseases. In the future it could be possible that crocodile cartilage is used to cure the disease (Image: m3ron / fotolia.com)

Healing cartilage is a big challenge

A small research team worked to perfect a process that extracts valuable growth factors from the cartilage of crocodiles and removes proteins that trigger an immune response in humans. Through this process, a substance is then produced which can transform its own human adult stem cells from adipose tissue or bone marrow into cartilage, explains study author Dr. Padraig Strappe from Central Queensland University. The physicians hope that such an operation will promote the repair of cartilage. The healing of cartilage is a major challenge in older populations, the physicians add.

Cartilage explants from the 3D printer?

After the crocodile cartilage fluid has been added to the adult stem cells, a 3D printer is used to biologically print cartilage explants. These can eventually be injected or implanted in damaged human joints. For example, if you have a traumatic injury to the joint, especially at the knee, you have a tear or so-called fissure, and for such problems there is no endogenous repair system because cartilage does not have blood supply, explains Dr. Strampe according to ABC News.

New technology could replace arthroscopic treatment

With 3D printing, we can mimic holes or gaps so that the orthopedist could possibly fill such a gap with a small cartilage explant to repair the joint, the expert further explains. This technology could potentially replace the arthroscopic treatment many patients with cartilage injuries are currently undergoing. Physicians are looking for a long-term repair of cartilage so that people with inflamed joints can return to work and sports much faster, avoiding long-term effects.

Cartilage from the thorax of crocodiles is particularly interesting

A crocodile has very large joints, so it takes a lot of cartilage to sustain its movement, says dr. Strampe. The cartilage around the thorax of the crocodile is particularly rich in so-called proteoglycans and is therefore of particular interest to the scientists.

Where does the cartilage of crocodiles come from??

The Koorana Crocodile Farm team actually produces crocodile skins for export to Italian fashion houses and meat for the Australian market. Any cartilage of crocodiles left is collected as fresh as possible by the physicians and frozen. Of course, the owners of the crocodile farm wanted to produce as much as possible no waste. Thus, the collaboration of the farm with the research team of Dr. med. Strampe for both sides extremely beneficial. The bones of the crocodiles are sold to a dog food manufacturing company, the same happens with the guts. From the tail ends and feet of the crocodiles, accessories such as back scratchers are produced.

Technology needs to be developed further

The research team is currently focused on maintaining funding for the project and arousing the interest of biotech companies that could potentially further develop and market that technology. (As)