Eureka! Old Tendons Have Protein Issues

Working with horses, researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and the University of Liverpool have found differences in younger and older tendons that might inform future treatments. It is the proteins, say the scientists, that break down in older tendons. As indicated in the August 5, 2014 news release, their examinations of younger tendons revealed that the cells were active and trying to repair the damage, there was an accumulation of different protein fragments in older tendons. This suggests the cells somehow lose the ability to repair damage during the ageing process.

The team indicated that healthy, older tendons have a greater amount of fragmented material within them, suggesting accumulated damage over time that has not been fully repaired.

“Normal function of tendons, such as the Achilles, is important not just for Commonwealth athletes but for everyday activities for ordinary people, ” said co-author Dr. Hazel Screen, a Reader in biomedical engineering at QMUL’s School of Engineering and Materials Science and Institute of Bioengineering, in the news release.

She added: “This is the first study of its kind, and provides evidence that the increased risk of tendon injury with ageing might be due to a reduced ability of tendon cells to repair damage effectively.”