Tendon Disease may Require Gender Based Treatment, Says Study

Gene expression is largely dependent on gender, shows study on tendon aging and relative gene expression in males and females.

Ageing in tendon has distinct and opposite effects on gene expression in males and females, says study from the University of Liverpool, published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Tendons are bundles or bands of strong fibres that attach muscles to bones. Tendons transfer force from the muscle to the bone to produce the movement of joints.

Degenerative Tendon Disease in Athletes Improved by PRP Therapy
A study says that ultrasound-guided delivery of platelet-rich plasma improves functionality in athletes with degenerative disease in their tendons.

‘Tendon disease may require different treatments in males and females because alternative mechanisms may be involved.’

Tendinopathy is a set of tendon disease that results in the tendons not functioning normally. Its development increases in frequency with age.

Gene expression

In this, the first study of its kind, researchers from the University's Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, analysed in parallel a number of gene datasets from male and females from two age groups (20-24 and 54-70 years) to identify sex-specific gene expression changes with age.

Moderate Exercise Could Help Prevent Tendon Disease
Though tendon disease has been linked to exercise, a new research claims that moderate exercise could actually help prevent this painful condition

Every cell in a human body contains a complete set of chromosomes with every gene needed to make every protein that that organism will ever make. However only a very small fraction of these genes are ever expressed in specific tissues at any one time.

Each cell is specialised to carry out certain tasks and will only need to express certain genes. Gene expression is the process by which specific genes are activated to produce a required protein.

Tendon Transfer Surgery That Improves Hand Function in Quadriplegics is Underused
A surgery for quadriplegics called tendon transfer can significantly improve hand and elbow function, but the procedure is greatly underused.

Distinct

The researchers analysed these genes and identified distinct molecular pathways which affect ageing in tendon dependant on gender.

High Cholesterol Linked To Tendon Abnormalities, Pain
Compared with people whose tendon structure was normal, those with abnormal tendon structure had a significantly more unfavorable blood fat (lipid) profile.

The results highlight the importance of gender differences which are frequently neglected in gene expression studies.

Lead researcher Dr Mandy Peffers, said: "Our research highlights the possible need to treat tendon disease differently in males and females because alternative mechanisms may be involved.

"Our findings could help in the treatment of more bespoke treatments for this large patient group."

Source-Eurekalert