Nitric oxide production in association with osteoarthritis

AbstractAlthough the range of treatments for osteoarthritis has increased recently, osteoarthritis is still a frequently observed disease lacking effective treatment. Osteoarthritis is expected to be the fourth cause of disability by 2020, and is much more common among the elderly. To understand the progression of osteoarthritis better, knowledge of the role of free radicals prior to, and during, the prevalence of osteoarthritis is required. Nitric oxide (NO) is a diatomic free radical produced by the ubiquitous enzyme, nitric oxide synthase. Increased NO production was documented in osteoarthritis in humans. Research on NO in a variety of inflammatory tissues led to the conclusion that modulation of NO synthesis and action could represent a new approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis.