Can High Cholesterol Cause Arthritis?

High cholesterol may harm more than just the cardiovascular system. Using mice, researchers have found that high cholesterol levels trigger mitochondrial oxidative stress on cartilage cells, causing the cells to die, ultimately resulting in the development of osteoarthritis. The research team also found that the development of osteoarthritis slowed when the mice received treatment to lower their cholesterol levels. Dr. Thoru Pederson, the Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal comments, “Just when we thought all the angles on osteoarthritis had been uncovered, a new lead like this comes along.” The FASEB Journal, October 2016