Hi boslo, I am using PPS for intervertebral cartilage repair....

Hi boslo, I am using PPS for intervertebral cartilage repair. This paper is the first I've come across looking at this specific application. It also looks like an excellent review article on mechanism overall. I would like to read it and also pass it on to my doctor.

Just from the abstract I learn, and I will translate this into English as best I can:

* Pentosan enters the nucleus of cells that form the connective tissue
* .. where it induces transcription of factors that promote cartilage development and repair
* Pentosan promotes the development of stem cells that develop into cartilage (chondrocytes)
* Promotes the synthesis of molecules that form the extracellular matrix
* Localises to existing stem cells in the disc
* Induces release of these stem cells from their niche so they can contribute to rebuilding tissue
* And it does this in a way that mirrors similar effects from naturally occurring molecules with similar structure to PPS (namely various proteoglycans)

That is, it is biomimetic of molecules that already perform these functions.

The phrase "stimulates the expansion of cartilaginous rudiments" - ie causes regrowth from remnants of cartilage - is particularly interesting.

Also interesting that PPS acts at the level of nuclear transcription. It has to pass two significant barriers to get there, the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane, so this is very interesting.

Unfortunately I don't have access and sci-hub has not picked this paper up yet. Could you possibly post a link to a pdf, or share offline with me?

Thanks for posting this.