Cambridge scientists awarded charity funding for studies into painful tendons
Scientists in Cambridge funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign are hoping that new research could reduce a severe side effect of an antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections.
A group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones can cause acute tendon pain in some patients, and even a rupture of the Achilles tendon.
The team led by Dr Graham Riley, Head of Soft Tissue Research at the Rheumatology Research Unit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, hope that their research could lead to the development of new drugs that do not cause tendon pain and rupture.
In earlier work the team has found that fluoroquinolones affect a family of enzymes which play a major part in the destruction of both cartilage and tendon, which leads to problems of osteoarthritis.
Now Dr Riley has been awarded another year's funding of nearly £40,000 by the Arthritis Research Campaign to further investigate exactly how fluoroquinolones affect the production of these enzymes, which are also important for healthy tendons.
"With this project, we will be investigating the mechanism of the effect of the fluroquinolones on the production of these enzymes, and the knowledge we gain will improve our understanding of the role of specific enzymes in tendon pathology," explained Dr Riley.
"It may also lead to the new ways to control damaging enzyme activities, and the development of drugs that don't cause tendon pain and rupture."
In related arc-funded research, Dr Riley is also trying find out more about how to treat tendinopathy, a painful, common condition which occurs in people with arthritis.
The Arthritis Research Campaign (arc) is the fourth largest medical research charity in the UK, and Cambridge is a leading centre of arc -funded research into soft tissue disorders.
