Question

Knowing that the knee joint has cartilage, which contains extracellular matrix and that “wear and tear” can cause arthritis answer the following questions; (5 pts)

(a) What is the major type of protein that handles mechanical stress found in extracellular matrix?

(b) What is the major type of glycoprotein that handles compression found in extracellular matrix?

c) Why would taking glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate supplements potentially slow down the process of arthritis?

Answer 1

ANSWER :

(a)The major type of protein that handles mechanical stress found in extracellular matrix i.e ECM is collagen and elastin. Fibrous extracellular networks of collagen and elastin provide the most of the response to the tissue mechanical stress. These matrix proteins helps the tissue to withstand high tensile and repititive mechanical stress without causing any damage like -rupture or deformation.

(b)The major type of glycoprotein that handles compression found in extracellular matrix i.e ECM is hyaluronan. It is alarge polysaccharide that makes up a highly hydrated gel like "ground substance". This large polysaccharide gel like structure is resillient to compresssion and thus resist compressive forces actively.

(c)  Glucosamine/chondroitin supplements to potentially slow down or treat the process of arthritis as well as osteo-arthritis is very common phenomenon now-a -days. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds, the connective tissue that cushion joints ,so as to keep the cartilages healthy.Glucosamine and chondroitin are found in combination in many forms in plenty of supplements available in markets.In arthritis, the gradual wear and tear and degeneration of the cartilages leads to extreme discomfort and pain. The glucosamine/ chondroitin supplements thus have anti-inflammatory properties to provide relief to the patients in worse conditions. It may also help to protect the main cells of cartilage that help to maintain their structure namely chondrocytes, thus are capable of potentially slow down the deterioation in the joints in arthritis patients.