Why do our bones become more brittle as we age or have diabetes? And why do artificial joints sometimes let go? Biomedical researcher specializing in osteoporosis Yixin Mao shows that these problems have one common cause and offers a solution at the same time.
Why do our bones become more fragile as we age or when we have diabetes? And why do joint implants sometimes fail? PhD candidate Yixin Mao shows that these problems share a single underlying cause – and offers a promising solution. By using natural compounds such as turmeric and milk thistle, bone cells can be better protected, helping bones stay strong and implants remain stable for longer.
Healthy bones rely on specialized cells – osteoblasts – that continuously build new bone. Mao discovered that in ageing, diabetes, and exposure to metal particles from implants, these cells are damaged in the same way. The main culprit is oxidative stress: a process that produces harmful “sparks” inside the cell. These sparks target the mitochondria – the cell’s “power plants.” Once damaged, a bottleneck forms in the cell’s energy supply.
“All these different health conditions converge on one vulnerable point,” says Mao. “When the cell’s energy supply is disrupted, bone-forming cells can no longer function properly and eventually die.” The consequences are significant. Osteoporosis and the loosening of implants are becoming more common due to ageing populations and rising rates of diabetes. This not only affects patients’ mobility and quality of life, but also places a growing burden on healthcare systems. While oxidative stress has long been recognised as a factor, the precise molecular mechanisms in bone cells remained unclear. Mao’s research provides crucial new insights by mapping these processes in detail.
In addition to identifying the problem, Mao explored potential solutions. He found that natural antioxidants such as curcumin (from turmeric) and silibinin (from milk thistle) can effectively protect bone cells. These compounds do more than simply neutralize harmful molecules. They also activate the cell’s own defense systems and help maintain healthy mitochondrial function. “You can think of them as a protective shield,” Mao explains. “They strengthen the cell from within, allowing its energy system to keep running and the bone cell to stay healthy.”
This research lays an important foundation for more precise therapeutic strategies. By pinpointing exactly where the damage occurs, new treatments can be developed that specifically protect the energy supply of bone cells. This approach could help slow down bone loss and extend the lifespan of implants, offering improved treatment options for a growing group of patients.
Yixin Mao will defend his thesis 16 June 2026, Oxidative Stress-Induced Osteoblast Dysfunction: Molecular Mechanisms and Protective Effects of Natural Antioxidants.