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++2015
Size Matters: Molecular Weight Specificity of Hyaluronan Effects in Cell Biology
Jaime M Cyphert, Carol S Trempus, Stavros GarantziotisThis narrative review summarizes current knowledge about hyaluronan, a molecule whose biological effects are dependent on its size. Unlike many other molecules, hyaluronan's signaling properties are determined not by ch…
hyaluronanCell signalingmolecular size - C2015
Proteoglycan form and function: A comprehensive nomenclature of proteoglycans
Renato V Iozzo, Liliana SchaeferIn this review article, the authors propose a new, comprehensive classification system for proteoglycans, a group of molecules important to connective tissue structure and function. The classification is based on three…
GlycosaminoglycanAngiogenesisProteoglycanCancer growthGrowth factor modulation - A++2015
Estrogen inhibits lysyl oxidase and decreases mechanical function in engineered ligaments
Cassandra A Lee, Ann Lee-Barthel, Louise Marquino, Natalie Sandoval, George R Marcotte, Keith BaarThis lab study investigated why women are more likely to rupture their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than men, focusing on the role of estrogen. Researchers used human ACL cells to create engineered ligaments in a la…
ACL; exercise; tendon; ultimate tensile strength - B2015
The extracellular matrix: Tools and insights for the “omics” era
A Nabaa, K R Clauser, H Dingd, C A Whittaker, S A Carrc, R O HynesaThis narrative review discusses the extracellular matrix (ECM), the complex network of proteins and molecules that provides structural and chemical support to our cells and tissues. Alterations in the ECM are associated…
extracellular matrixMatrisomeMatrisomeDBECM atlasBioinformatics - A+2015
Changes in electrical pain threshold of fascia and muscle after initial and secondary bouts of elbow flexor eccentric exercise
Wing Yin Lau, Anthony J. Blazevich, Michael J. Newton, Sam Shi Xuan Wu, Kazunori NosakaThis study investigated how pain sensitivity changes in fascia and muscle after strenuous eccentric exercise. Ten young men performed two bouts of maximal eccentric elbow curls, four weeks apart. After the first session…
pressure pain thresholdmuscle damageRepeated bout effectDelayed onset muscle sorenessVisual analogue scale - A2015
Cellulite treatment: a comprehensive literature review
Irene Zerini, Andrea Sisti, Roberto Cuomo, Serena Ciappi, Francesco Russo, Cesare Brandi, Carlo D’Aniello, Giuseppe NisiIn this 2015 literature review, researchers compiled the results from various cellulite treatments. They analyzed 73 clinical studies involving human subjects, most of whom were women. The evaluated treatments included…
elasticitycellulitefatty tissue - A++2015
Effects of plant sterols derived from Aloe vera gel on human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and on skin condition in Japanese women
Miyuki Tanaka, Eriko Misawa, Koji Yamauchi, Fumiaki Abe, Chiaki IshizakiThis study investigated how plant sterols from Aloe vera gel affect the skin, using both laboratory tests on human skin cells (fibroblasts) and a clinical trial with women. In the lab, these sterols were found to stimul…
oral supplementationaloe sterol; collagen; wrinkle - A2015
Comparative effects of vitamin C on the effects of local anesthetics ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine on human chondrocytes
Jun Tian, Yan LiLocal anesthetics injected into joints can sometimes be harmful to cartilage cells (chondrocytes). This laboratory study investigated the effects of three common anesthetics—ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine—on hu…
Chondrocytes; Vitamin C; Local anesthetics; Ropivacaine; Bupivacaine; Lidocaine - A++2015
Meralgia paresthetica caused by entrapment of the lateral femoral subcutaneous nerve at the fascia lata of the thigh: a case report and literature review
Yasuyuki Omichi, Ichiro Tonogai, Shinsuke Kaji, Teruaki Sangawa, Koichi SairyoThis case report and literature review describe an unusual presentation of meralgia paresthetica, a condition causing numbness and pain in the outer thigh. While the condition typically involves nerve entrapment at the…
nerve entrapment - A2015
Primo Vascular System: An Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Potential Transitional Tissue Involved in Gastric Cancer Metastasis
An Ping, Su Zhendong, Qu Rongmei, Dai Jingxing, Chen Wei, Zhou Zhongyin, Luo Hesheng, Kwang-Sup SohThe primo vascular system (PVS) is described as a distinct circulatory network beyond the blood and lymphatic systems. This study investigated the role this system might play in the spread of gastric cancer. The researc…
fasciacancermetastasisprimo vascular system - A2015
Primo Vascular System: A Unique Biological System Shifting a Medical Paradigm
Bruno Chikly, Paul Roberts, Jörgen QuaghebeurThis article describes the primo vascular system (PVS), a unique biological system distinct from the arteriovenous and lymphatic systems. Research suggests the PVS has immune and endocrine functions and plays a role in…
fasciaprimo vascular system - A+2015
Osmotic pressure induced tensile forces in tendon collagen
Admir Masic, Luca Bertinetti, Roman Schuetz, Shu-Wei Chang, Till Hartmut Metzger, Markus J Buehler, Peter FratzlResearchers investigated the role of water in tendon collagen using a combination of experiments and computer modeling. They found that water is a crucial part of the collagen molecule's structure. When water is removed…
collagenOsmotic pressurewater