Research.
Every peer-reviewed study on fascia in one place — graded for strength of evidence, summarised in plain language for clinicians, researchers, and curious readers.
We grade studies from A to 1A+++ using the Fascia Research Database rubric — 1A+++ is the strongest.
Researchers behind the studies- A++2019
Mechanics and structural stability of the collagen triple helix
Michael W H Kirkness, Kathrin Lehmann, Nancy R FordeThis narrative review explores the mechanical properties of collagen, the body's primary structural protein. Collagen's unique triple helix structure is believed to be the source of its stability and resilience in tissu…
collagentriple helix - A2019
Lipedema: A Call to Action!
Giacomo Buso, Michele Depairon, Didier Tomson, Wassim Raffoul, Roberto Vettor, Lucia MazzolaiThis narrative review summarizes the current understanding of lipedema, a chronic and progressive disease primarily affecting women. It is characterized by a painful, abnormal distribution of fat in the limbs, which oft…
lymphedemalipedema; obesity - A++2019
Role of the immune system in vascular function and blood pressure control induced by faecal microbiota transplantation in rats
Marta Toral, Iñaki Robles Vera, Néstor de la Visitación, Miguel Romero, Manuel Sánchez, Manuel Gómez Guzmán, Alba Rodri…This animal study investigated the link between gut bacteria, the immune system, and blood pressure in rats. Researchers transplanted gut microbiota between spontaneously hypertensive rats and rats with normal blood pre…
hypertensionendothelial dysfunctiongut dysbiosisimmune cells - A2019
Genetics of lipedema: new perspectives on genetic research and molecular diagnoses
S Paolacci, V Precone, F Acquaviva, P Chiurazzi, E Fulcheri, M Pinelli, F Buffelli, S Michelini, K L Herbst, V Unfer, M…This 2019 review explored the genetic basis of lipedema. The researchers summarized existing knowledge to highlight the need for a genetic test to aid in diagnosis. They identified several genetic factors that may be re…
lipedemalipoedemaDifferential diagnosisSubcutaneous fatGenetic diagnosis - A+2019
Collagen changes in pelvic support tissues in women with pelvic organ prolapse
Runqi Gong, Zhijun XiaThis narrative review summarizes research on how changes in collagen are linked to pelvic organ prolapse in women. Collagen is a critical component of the pelvic floor, providing essential supportive functions. Studies…
extracellular matrixcollagenBiomechanicsPelvic organ prolapseSignaling pathways - A++2019
Effect of Vitamin C Infusion on Organ Failure and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Vascular Injury in Patients With Sepsis and Severe Acute Respiratory Failure
Alpha A Fowler, Jonathon D Truwit, R Duncan Hite, Peter E Morris, Christine DeWilde, Anna Priday, Bernard Fisher, Leroy…This randomized controlled trial investigated whether intravenous vitamin C could help patients with sepsis and severe acute respiratory failure. Researchers gave 167 patients either a high-dose vitamin C infusion or a…
sepsisintravenous vitamin C - A++2019
Vitamin C Can Shorten the Length of Stay in the ICU: A Meta-Analysis
Harri Hemilä, Elizabeth ChalkerThis meta-analysis reviewed data from 18 controlled trials involving over 2000 patients to assess if vitamin C affects the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The results suggest that vitamin C supplementat…
antioxidants; burns; artificial respiration; cardiac surgical procedures; cardiovascular system; critical care; dietary supplements; oxidative stress; sepsis; systematic review - B2019
Hyaluronan fragments produced during tissue injury: A signal amplifying the inflammatory response
Angela Avenoso, Giuseppe Bruschetta, Angela D'Ascola, Michele Scuruchi, Giuseppe Mandraffino, Rosa Gullace, Antonino Sa…This narrative review examines how fragments of hyaluronan (HA), a major component of the extracellular matrix, contribute to inflammation. During tissue injury, large HA molecules are broken down into smaller pieces. E…
Hyaluronan fragments NF-kB TLR-4 Cytokines Tissue damage Inflammation Hyaluronan degradation - A++2019
Fascial organisation of motor synergies: a hypothesis
Alessandro Garofolini, Daris SvaneraThis hypothesis paper explores how fascia helps organize movement through what are known as motor synergies. It suggests that instead of the brain controlling every muscle individually, the fascial system acts as a phys…
Motor control; degrees of freedom; movement coordination; muscle spindle; myofascial continuity. - A+++2019
Active interfacial dynamic transport of fluid in a network of fibrous connective tissues throughout the whole body
Hongyi Li, Yajun Yin, Chongqing Yang, Min Chen, Fang Wang, Chao Ma, Hua Li, Yiya Kong, Fusui Ji, Jun HuInterstitial fluid, the fluid in the spaces between our cells, has long been thought to move only over short distances. This study proposes a different view, suggesting that a network of fibrous connective tissues acts…
interstitial fluidinterstitiuminterstitial spacesfascia fluid - A2019
Bone Broth Unlikely to Provide Reliable Concentrations of Collagen Precursors Compared With Supplemental Sources of Collagen Used in Collagen Research
Rebekah D Alcock, Gregory C Shaw, Louise M BurkeThis study analyzed the amino acid content of bone broth to assess it as a reliable source of collagen precursors, the building blocks the body uses to make collagen. Researchers compared various broths—commercial, home…
gelatine; glycine; ligament; proline; protein; tendon - A2019
Hierarchical Hydrogel Composite Interfaces with Robust Mechanical Properties for Biomedical Applications
Yuting Zhu, Qiang Zhang, Xiaoli Shi, Dong HanThis review summarizes advances in hydrogel composites, materials designed to mimic the body's extracellular matrix (ECM). Cells naturally sense and respond to the mechanical properties and physical structure of the ECM…
tissue engineeringECMHydrogels