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- 1A+2013
Cytoskeletal remodeling of connective tissue fibroblasts in response to static stretch is dependent on matrix material properties
R D Abbott, C Koptiuch, J C Iatridis, A K Howe, G J Badger, H M LangevinThis study investigated how fibroblasts, the cells within connective tissue, change shape in response to static stretching. Researchers compared fibroblasts in loose (areolar) and dense connective tissues, as well as ce…
Fibroblasts; cytoskeleton; dense connective tissue; areolar connective tissue; mechanotransduction - A2012
Mathematical model of fiber orientation in anisotropic fascia layers at large displacements
Hans Chaudhry, Max Roman, Antonio Stecco, Thomas FindleyResearchers developed a mathematical model to better understand how collagen fibers within fascia change their orientation when the tissue is stretched. The model suggests that fibers already angled away from the direct…
Fascial; Reinforcement; Collagen fibers; Re-orientation; Tension - A+++2012
Fascia as a body-wide communication system
James L OschmanThis abstract proposes that fascia acts as a body-wide communication system. The author draws an analogy to single-celled organisms, like a paramecium, which can perform complex functions without a nervous system by rel…
Fascia - A2012
Mechanical properties of human patellar tendon at the hierarchical levels of tendon and fibril
René B Svensson, Philip Hansen, Tue Hassenkam, Bjarki T Haraldsson, Per Aagaard, Vuokko Kovanen, Michael Krogsgaard, Mi…Researchers investigated how the mechanical properties of the whole human patellar tendon compare to its individual collagen fibrils. They tested whole tendons in living subjects and then tested isolated fibrils from th…
atomic force microscopy; collagen; fibril dimensions; modulus; toe region - A2012
Hyaluronic acid, A key molecule in skin aging
Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth, George KarakiulakisThis review article discusses the role of hyaluronic acid (HA) in skin aging. The authors explain that youthful skin's plumpness and resilience are largely due to its high water content, which HA is uniquely able to ret…
CD44fasciaHyaluronic acidhyaluronic acid synthaseshyaluronidases - A++2012
Diet-Induced Dysbiosis of the Intestinal Microbiota and the Effects on Immunity and Disease
Kirsty Brown, Daniella DeCoffe, Erin Molcan, Deanna L GibsonThis 2012 narrative review explores the connection between diet, gut microbes, and the immune system. The gastrointestinal tract must balance tolerance for harmless bacteria and food with responsiveness to pathogens. An…
inflammationnutritionintestinal microbiotadisease susceptibility - B2012
Recent Developments in Myofibroblast Biology
Boris Hinz, Sem H Phan, Victor J Thannickal, Marco Prunotto, Alexis Desmoulière, John Varga, Olivier De Wever, Marc Mar…This 2012 narrative review summarizes advances in understanding the myofibroblast, a specialized cell crucial for both normal wound healing and the development of fibrotic diseases. The authors discuss how these cells g…
fibrosisMyofibroblast - A2012
Real-time imaging of cortical areas involved in the generation of increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity when viewing emotionally charged images
Luke A Henderson, Alexandra Stathis, Cheree James, Rachael Brown, Skye McDonald, Vaughan G MacefieldThis study investigated which brain regions are involved when our bodies react to emotional images. Researchers simultaneously measured brain activity with fMRI and skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), a marker of th…
fasciaMRIIASP imagesmicroneurographyskin sympathetic nerve activity - A+++2012
Total antioxidant capacity of diet and risk of stroke: a population-based prospective cohort of women
Susanne Rautiainen, Susanna Larsson, Jarmo Virtamo, Alicja WolkThis Swedish population-based study examined the relationship between the total antioxidant capacity of the diet and stroke risk in over 36,000 women. By measuring the combined effect of all antioxidants in food rather…
Antioxidantsstroke - A2012
CTGF is a central mediator of tissue remodeling and fibrosis and its inhibition can reverse the process of fibrosis
Kenneth E Lipson, Carol Wong, Yuchin Teng, Suzanne SpongFibrosis is a process of excessive connective tissue formation, leading to scarring and stiffness in organs. A protein called Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) plays a central role in driving this process. This res…
extracellular matrixfibrosisfascia CTGFtissue remodeling - B2012
Hyaluronan differently modulates TLR-4 and the inflammatory response in mouse chondrocytes
Giuseppe M Campo, Angela Avenoso, Angela D’Ascola, Vera Prestipino, Michele Scuruchi, Giancarlo Nastasi, Alberto Calatr…This study on mouse cartilage cells investigated how different sizes of hyaluronan (HA) affect inflammation. Researchers found that small HA fragments increased the production of several inflammatory markers. In contras…
hyaluronancytokinesNF-kBtoll-like receptor-4chondrocytes - B2012
Mechanical strain applied to human fibroblasts differentially regulates skeletal myoblast differentiation
Michael R Hicks, Thanh V Cao, David H Campbell, Paul R StandleyThis laboratory study investigated how different types of stretching affect muscle repair at a cellular level. Researchers applied two types of strain to human fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) and observed the effe…
myotubescocultureinterleukin-6