Hormone linked to blood pressure may cause osteoarthritis

A hormone associated with high blood pressure, called vasopressin, may play a role in causing osteoarthritis by attacking weakened cartilage, according to a study published on October 1, 2026, in Science by researchers from Chonnam National University in South Korea.

Vasopressin interacts with cartilage receptors

The blood of people with high blood pressure contains higher levels of vasopressin, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and helps the body retain water. Vasopressin only works if it binds to a specific receptor called AVPR1A found on cell surfaces. Healthy cartilage has very few of these receptors, making it largely unaffected by the hormone.

Aging and injury change cartilage response

As people age or experience joint injuries, their cartilage begins to produce more of the AVPR1A receptor. This change allows vasopressin to bind to the cartilage, starting a chain of chemical reactions that break down the tissue. This suggests that osteoarthritis may not only be caused by physical stress but also by hormonal changes linked to high blood pressure.

Blocking the receptor reduces joint damage

In experiments with mice, researchers found that blocking the AVPR1A receptor reduced cartilage damage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for osteoarthritis by targeting the interaction between vasopressin and the receptor in affected joints.