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- A2014
Uptake and intracytoplasmic storage of pigmented particles by human CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes: endocytic property of telocytes
Lucio Díaz-Flores, Ricardo Gutiérrez, M Pino García, Francisco J Sáez, Fernando Aparicio, Lucio Díaz-Flores Jr, Juan F…Researchers investigated whether a specific type of connective tissue cell, called a telocyte, could absorb foreign particles. They examined human colon tissue that had been injected with India ink as a surgical marker.…
CD34+ stromal cells; colon; endocytosis; phagocytosis; skin; telocytes. - A2014
Lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns in three stances under graded loading conditions: Proposing a tensegrity model for load transfer through the sacroiliac joints
Hamed Pardehshenas, Nader Maroufi, Mohammad Ali Sanjari, Mohamad Parnianpour, Stephen M LevinResearchers investigated how lumbopelvic muscles activate to stabilize the sacroiliac (SI) joints under different loads. They compared muscle activity in 30 men during two-legged and one-legged standing while holding we…
fasciasacroiliac jointload transferwire-spoke wheel modelarch theory; Self-bracing - 1A+2014
Crosstalk between fibroblasts and inflammatory cells
S Van Linthout, K Miteva, C TschöpeThis narrative review describes how fibroblasts, traditionally seen as passive cells that produce extracellular matrix, are increasingly understood as active key players in the immune system. The authors provide an over…
fibroblastMyofibroblastInnate and adaptive immune responseHeart failure - A+++2014
Telocytes revisited
Sanda M Cretoiu, Laurentiu M PopescuThis narrative review summarizes findings on telocytes, a relatively new type of cell found in the interstitial, or connective, tissue of many organs. These cells are defined by their small bodies and extremely long, th…
exosomes/ectosomes; intercellular signaling; regenerative medicine; telocytes; telopodes - A2014
A decorin-deficient matrix affects skin chondroitin/dermatan sulfate levels and keratinocyte function
Katerina Nikolovska, Jana K Renke, Oliver Jungmann, Kay Grobe, Renato V Iozzo, Alina D Zamfir, Daniela G SeidlerThis study in mice investigated how the absence of a proteoglycan called decorin affects skin structure and function. Researchers found that mice lacking decorin had an altered composition of other sugar molecules (chon…
extracellular matrixDecorinSLRPDermatan sulfateFibroblast growth factor - A++2014
The Role of Functional Foods in Cutaneous Anti-aging
Soyun ChoThis narrative review examines how functional foods and oral supplements may influence skin aging by addressing oxidative stress and inflammation. Research suggests that compounds such as carotenoids, aloe vera, red gin…
Anti-oxidant; Collagen; Functional foods; Photoaging - A+2014
Cartilage repair using human embryonic stem cell-derived chondroprogenitors
AIXIN CHENG, ZOHER KAPACEE, JIANG PENG, SHIBI LU, ROBERT J LUCAS, TIMOTHY E HARDINGHAM, SUSAN J KIMBERIn this animal study, researchers developed a method to turn human embryonic stem cells into cartilage-forming cells under laboratory conditions. These new cells were then implanted into cartilage defects in the knee jo…
arthritistissue regenerationCell transplantationEmbryonic stem cell - A++2014
Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
E Proksch, D Segger, J Degwert, M Schunck, V Zague, S OesserThis double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of daily collagen peptide supplementation in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Participants received either porcine or bovine collagen, or a place…
skin agingCollagen hydrolysatecollagen peptidesskin health. - 1A+2014
Peripheral Mechanisms Contributing to Spasticity and Implications for Treatment
Antonio Stecco, Carla Stecco, P RaghavanThis narrative review explores how changes in connective tissue might contribute to spasticity following a central nervous system injury. The authors suggest that the initial injury can alter the turnover of hyaluronic…
fasciaConnective tissueStrokeCerebral palsyHypertonia - A2014
The effectiveness of exercise interventions to prevent sports injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Jeppe Bo Lauersen, Ditte Marie Bertelsen, Lars Bo AndersenThis systematic review and meta-analysis examined 25 studies to evaluate which types of exercise best prevent sports injuries. The analysis included over 26,000 participants and data on more than 3,400 injuries. Researc…
exercisesinjury prevention - A+++2014
The active role of vitamin C in mammalian iron metabolism: much more than just enhanced iron absorption!
Darius J R Lane, Des R RichardsonThis review explores how vitamin C (ascorbate) plays a sophisticated role in mammalian iron metabolism beyond simply enhancing absorption in the gut. Evidence suggests that vitamin C regulates how cells take up, store,…
Ascorbate; Dcytb; Ferritin; Free radicals; HIF; IRP; Iron; Transferrin; Vitamin C - A2014
Specific Sizes of Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides Stimulate Fibroblast Migration and Excisional Wound Repair
C Tolg, P Telmer, E TurleyHyaluronan (HA) is a molecule important for wound healing, and its effects appear to depend on its size. In this study using cell cultures and animal models, researchers investigated how specific, small fragments of HA…
fasciahyaluronan molecular sizehyaluronan fragmentswound healing