Inhibitors of spermidine synthase for the treatment of osteoarthritis and cartilage rehabilitation

Use of an inhibitor of spermidine biosynthesis in the treatment of a subject in need of treatment for osteoarthritis in an amount sufficient to effect a substantial inhibition of spermidine biosynthesis so as to thereby treat the subject.

Use of an inhibitor of spermidine biosynthesis in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a subject in need of treatment for osteoarthritis.

A therapeutic composition for the treatment of a subject in need of treatment for osteoarthritis comprising an amount of an inhibitor of spermidine biosynthesis sufficient to effect a substantial inhibition of spermidme biosynthesis, and a carrier.

A method of prepanng a therapeutic composition for the treatment of a subject in need of a treatment for osteoarthritis, which method comprises the steps of:

• a. obtaining an amount of an inhibitor of spermidine biosynthesis sufficient to effect a substantial inhibition of spermidine biosynthesis, and
• b. admixing said inhibitor with a pharmaceutically acceptable camer.

A method of identifying an inhibitor of spermidine biosynthesis, whereby the inhibitor is a spermidine synthase inhibitor and whereby the identification is performed by the steps of:

• a. obtaining a candidate spermidine synthase inhibitor;
• b. evaluating the effect of said candidate inhibitor as compared to a control on any one of chondrocyte proliferation, chondrocyte final differentiation, angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis by an evaluating method.