Growth hormone’s role in cartilage and osteoarthritis in older adults
Official title: Growth hormone regulating chondrocyte metabolism for osteoarthritis development
Funded at Ohio University Athens · NIH-11372840 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how growth hormone affects cartilage in people around 60 and whether blocking its action in cartilage could slow osteoarthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio University Athens NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,782 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR081804-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372840 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults around 60 years old with or at risk for osteoarthritis who could contribute cartilage-related samples or participate in future translational steps.
✕Less likely to help
Older adults without OA risk factors or those not contributing to cartilage-specific studies may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Older adults often have signs of osteoarthritis, and there are no disease-modifying treatments yet. This project will explore whether growth hormone (GH) and its receptor in cartilage contribute to joint degeneration, using cartilage-specific approaches in models. The researchers will test if inhibiting GH signaling in cartilage can protect against OA development and identify the underlying mechanisms. Findings could point to new strategies to prevent or lessen OA damage in humans as they age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new cartilage-targeted therapies to reduce OA progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data suggest GH signaling influences cartilage metabolism and OA risk in animal models, with potential for translation to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio University Athens
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Shouan — Ohio University Athens
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Shouan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.