Effects of immobilization for 6 weeks on rabbit knee articular surfaces as assessed by the semiquantitative stereomicroscopic method

The effects of a 6-week immobilization period on rabbit knee articular cartilage surfaces were investigated by a new semiquantitative stereomicroscopic method following ink staining and processing for scanning electron microscopy. All surfaces of the immobilized knee joint were affected and displayed significant degenerative alterations. The knee joint contralateral to the immobilized one exhibited slight changes which could be interpreted as a sign of altered loading after immobilization. Articular surfaces of the patella and lateral condyle of the femur proved to be best suited for surface analysis on account of the small size, distinct borders and inherent evenness of the cartilage in non-treated animals.     

低强度激光联合照射犊鼻穴和口咽部对膝骨关节炎兔细胞因子IL-1β及TNF-α的影响

目的：探讨携带针灸补泻信息的激光联合多部位照射对膝骨关节炎兔血清和关节液中细胞因子的影响。方法：40只新西兰兔随机分成对照组、模型组、穴位照射组和联合照射组。兔左侧膝关节腔内注入木瓜蛋白酶造成关节炎的病理模型,穴位照射组和联合照射组分别以低能量激光（输出功率10—20mW）连续照射犊鼻穴和携带针灸补泻信息的脉冲激光联合照射口咽部及犊鼻穴,10min／d,5d为1个疗程,连续3个疗程。采用放射免疫的方法测定血清及关节液中相关细胞因子含量的变化,常规病理学切片观察膝关节软骨组织形态学变化。结果：与对照组比较,模型组血清和关节液中IL-1B及TNF—α含量均显著升高（P〈0．01）;与模型组比较,穴位照射组和联合照射组血清和关节液中IL-1β及TNF—α含量均下降,但以联合照射组效果显著（P〈0．05）;穴位照射组和联合照射组之间的IL-1B及TNF-饯含量未表现出显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论：激光联合照射口咽部和犊鼻穴和激光照射犊鼻穴都能减少细胞因子IL-1β及TNF-α的生成,减轻关节软骨细胞的结构损伤,起到保护关节软骨、防治骨性关节炎的作用,但联合多部位照射效果优于单独穴位照射。     

兔膝关节损伤后软骨细胞中OPG与RANKL表达

目的:随着中国经济的高速发展,人民生活水平日益增高。体育运动,高能量机动车造成的膝关节损伤数量不断增加,关节软骨的损伤恢复一直不是很理想。针对其后期的恢复研究做了许多相关的实验。本实验通过对兔膝关节软骨细胞损伤后软骨细胞中OPG(骨保护素)与RANKL(核激活因子受体配体)两种因子在损伤后与正常软骨细胞中的表达的比较,探讨损伤后软骨细胞中OPG和RANKL的表达。方法:25只大耳白兔随机分成5组,每组5只。前4组在10天完成20只兔左后腿膝关节软骨损伤动物模型,最后1组5只做手术对照组,术后处置相同。在术后1周,2周,4周,8周时取膝关节软骨损伤处关节软骨制成标本对照组取正常膝关节软骨制成标本。应用HE染色观察软骨细胞恢复情况及SP免疫组化法检测软骨细胞中OPG与RANKL的表达。在光镜下观察,通过医学图像分析软件(media cybernetics image-proplus6.0)图片分析,测定镜下相对灰度值并计算每个标本的平均灰度值,单因素方差分析法进行数据分析。结果:OPG在膝关节损伤后2-4周表达最高,4-8周有下降趋势。RANKL在膝关节软骨损伤后明显表达并逐步的呈升高趋势。实验组镜下观察表达较强烈,测定镜下平均灰度值与对照组有显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:1.OPG在膝关节软骨损伤后显著性表达。2-4周表达较高,4-8周趋于降低。2.RANKL在膝关节软骨损伤后显著表达,1-8周呈平稳上升趋势。     

Effects of increased chronic loading on articular cartilage material properties in the Lapine tibio-femoral joint

Methods of producing relevant and quantifiable load alterations in vivo with which to study load-induced cartilage degeneration analogous to osteoarthritis are limited. An animal model was used to investigate the effects of increased chronic loads on articular cartilage. Mature rabbits were randomized into one of three experimentally loaded groups and a fourth unoperated control group. A mechanical-loading device was skeletally fixed to the hind limb of animals in the loaded groups. Engaging the device resulted in an additional load of 0%, +22% or +44% body weight to the medial compartment of the experimental knee, while allowing normal joint function. Following a 12-week loading protocol, a creep-indentation test and needle probe test were used to determine the biphasic material properties and thickness of the cartilage at four locations of each femoral and tibial condyle of the experimental and contralateral limbs. Analyses of covariance were performed to compare outcome measures across the treatment groups. The effect of increased load was site and load-level specific with alterations of material properties and thickness most prominent in the posterior region of the medial compartment of the tibia. At this site, permeability increased 128% and thickness increased 28% in the +44% body weight group relative to the 0% body weight group. This model of altered chronic loading initiated changes in the material properties to the articular cartilage at the sites of increased load over 12-weeks that were consistent with early degenerative changes suggesting that increased tibio-femoral loading may be responsible for the alterations. This work begins to elucidate the chronic-load threshold and the time course of cartilage degeneration at different levels of altered loading.     

Systemic hypoxia alters gene expression levels of structural proteins and growth factors in knee joint cartilage

We investigated the effects of short- (8- and 24-h) and long-term (3 weeks) exposure to systemic normobaric hypoxia (13%) on the gene expression level of structural proteins and growth factors in knee joint cartilage of rabbits. Collagen type Ia2, II, and Va1, TGF-beta1, and b-FGF were upregulated after short-term hypoxia in both menisci, but not in articular cartilage. In contrast, long-term hypoxia downregulated gene expression level of collagens, aggrecan, and growth factors in articular cartilage and meniscal fibrocartilage. Interestingly, gene expression levels of non-collagenous proteins biglycan, decorin, and versican were not affected by short-term or by long-term hypoxia in knee joint cartilage. The present study suggests that changes in oxygen level differentially affect gene expression levels of growth factors, collagens, and non-collagenous proteins in normal knee joint cartilage in rabbits.     

右归丸对大鼠膝骨关节炎的干预作用及其机制*

目的: 探讨右归丸对膝骨关节炎(KOA)模型鼠关节软骨组织骨诱导因子(OGN)、骨黏连蛋白(ON)和纤维蛋白原2(FBN2)的影响。方法: 将大鼠随机分为假手术组,模型组,硫酸氨基葡萄糖组(硫酸氨基葡萄糖),右归丸(高、中、低剂量)组,每组10只。采用改良Hulth法制备大鼠KOA模型,假手术组和模型组给予等体积生理盐水灌胃,右归丸高、中、低剂量组分别灌胃给予右归丸4.8,2.4,1.2 g/kg,硫酸氨基葡萄糖组灌胃给予硫酸氨基葡萄糖 0.17 g/kg,连续给药8周。干预结束24 h后取鼠膝关节软骨,采用HE染色法观察各组软骨的病理改变,并进行Mankin评分;免疫组化法检测各组关节软骨组织中OGN、ON和FBN2的表达;Western blot法检测各组关节软骨组中糖原合成酶激酶-3β(GSK-3β)的表达。结果: 与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠软骨组织Makin 评分显著升高,软骨组织FBN2蛋白表达水平上显著增加,OGN、ON和GSK-3β蛋白表达水平上的显著降低(P＜0.01);模型组关节软骨边缘严重破坏,软骨细胞排列紊乱。与模型组比较,右归丸高剂量干预组大鼠软骨组织Makin 评分和FBN2蛋白表达水平显著降低,GSK-3β蛋白表达水平上显著增加,且右归丸中、高剂量组OGN、ON蛋白表达水平均显著增加(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),软骨结构趋于正常,软骨细胞分布仅偶见不均,关节软骨表面欠光滑。结论: 右归丸能够延缓关节软骨退变,其可能机制是通过提高骨诱导因子和骨粘连蛋白的表达水平来促进关节软骨的骨化和重构。     

Is the repair of articular cartilage lesion by costal chondrocyte transplantation donor age-dependent? An experimental study in rabbits

The repair of chondral injuries is a very important problem and a subject of many experimental and clinical studies. Different techniques to induce articular cartilage repair are under investigation. In the present study, we have investigated whether the repair of articular cartilage folowing costal chondrocyte transplantation is donor age-dependent. Transplantation of costal chondrocytes from 4- and 24-week old donors, with artificially induced femoral cartilage lesion, was performed on fourteen 20-week-old New Zealand White male rabbits. In the control group, the lesion was left without chondrocyte transplantation. The evaluation of the cartilage repair was performed after 12 weeks of transplantation. We analyzed the macroscopic and histological appearance of the newly formed tissue. Immunohistochemistry was also performed using monoclonal antibodies against rabbit collagen type II. The newly formed tissue had a hyaline-like appearance in most of the lesions after chondrocyte transplantation. Positive immunohistochemical reaction for collagen II was also observed in both groups with transplanted chondrocytes. Cartilage from adult donors required longer isolation time and induced slightly poorer repair. However, hyaline-like cartilage was observed in most specimens from this group, in contrast to the control group, where fibrous connective tissue filled the lesions. Rabbit costal chondrocytes seem to be a potentially useful material for inducing articular cartilage repair and, even more important, they can also be derived from adult, sexually mature animals.     

深低温冻存组织工程化软骨在关节软骨缺损修复的应用

目的：探讨经深低温冻存组织工程化软骨修复关节软骨缺损的可行性。方法：分离收集3周龄新西兰大白兔关节软骨细胞进行体外培养,接种于PGA三维支架材料上,复合物体外培养1周后冻存,冻存1个月后解冻、复苏及体外培养,1周后接种于已建立的双侧兔膝关节软骨缺损模型的膝关节软骨缺损处,并设对照组。分别于手术后4周、8周、12周行大体标本及组织观察。结果：大体观察结果表明,实验组与对照组缺损处均由软骨组织修复;组织学观察可以见到实验组和对照组关节软骨缺损处有密集的软骨细胞,均有软骨生成及基质分泌,两组差异无统计学意义。结论：应用深低温冻存组织工程化软骨修复关节软骨缺损的方法是有效可行的,为其进一步临床应用提供了实验依据。     

Preliminary histopathological study of intra-articular injection of a novel highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid in a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease mostly occurring in the knee and commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly adults. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid has been widely used for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection of a novel highly cross-linked hyaluronic acid, alone or in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide, on knee articular cartilage in a rabbit model of collagenase-induced knee osteoarthritis. After induction of experimental osteoarthritis by intra-articular injection of collagenase, adult New Zealand white rabbits (n = 12) were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (control group) received 0.3 ml phosphate buffered saline into the right knee joint. Group 2 received 0.3 ml cross-linked hyaluronic acid (33 mg/ml) into the right knee joint. Group 3 received a mixture of 0.15 ml cross-linked hyaluronic acid (33 mg/ml), 0.05 ml ropivacaine hydrochloride 1 % and 0.1 ml triamcinolone acetonide (10 mg/ml) into the right knee joint. Intra-articular injections were given 4 weeks after first collagenase injection and were administered once a week for 3 weeks. Gross pathology and histological evaluation of rabbits’ knee joints were performed after 16 weeks following initial collagenase injection. Histological analysis of sections of right knee joints at lesion sites showed a significant decrease in Mankin’s score in groups treated with hyaluronic acid alone or in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide versus control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). This evidence was consistent with strong articular degenerative changes in control right knee joints (grade III osteoarthritis), while the treated groups revealed less severe articular degenerative changes (grade II osteoarthritis). The present results show that cross-linked hyaluronic acid, alone or in combination with ropivacaine hydrochloride and triamcinolone acetonide, produces a significant improvement in knee articular cartilage degeneration in a rabbit model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis.     

He—Ne激光照射离体鼠巨噬细胞对线粒体跨膜电势的影响

目的：研究Ｈｅ－Ｎｅ激光照射鼠巨噬细胞对线粒体跨膜电势的影响,及其与激光剂量的关系。方法：用亲脂性阳离子荧光染料Ｒｈｏｄａｍｉｎｅ１２３对鼠巨噬细胞线粒体作荧光标记,以不同的激光剂量照射,采用图像分析系统（ＩＡＳ）和荧光显微镜观察线粒体跨膜电势荧光强度的变化。结果：低功率Ｈｅ－Ｎｅ激光照射５,１０,１５ｍｉｎ,激光剂量分别为０．６４９,１．３８８和２．０８２Ｊ／ｃｍ＾２,巨噬细胞线粒体跨膜电势荧光     

骨碎补结合组织工程软骨促进软骨再生的实验研究

目的:评估骨碎补结合组织工程软骨治疗对实验兔软骨缺陷模型软骨再生的疗效。方法:将h IGF-1基因转染MSCs,并与脱细胞真皮基质(ADM)构建组织工程软骨。24只新西兰白兔随机分为A、B、C、D四组,A、C组进行自体软骨移植,B、D组进行改建的细胞-ADM移植。C、D组用40%骨碎补汤喂养4周,150 m L/d。第12周处死实验动物,分离缺损关节软骨部位,蜡块包埋染色,通过总体形态评价软骨再生组织。采用组织学评分评估再生软骨质量。采用甲苯胺蓝染色评价缺损部位产生软骨糖胺聚糖的情况。结果:与B组比较,C组和D组的新生软骨覆盖度、新骨髓的颜色、缺损边缘和表面粗糙度均显著提高(P0.05);再生软骨的组织学评分软骨表面评分显著改善(P0.05)。C组与D组具有比其他组更好的基质、细胞分布和表面指数。并且有较厚的透明样软骨组织,具有正常的糖胺聚糖产生。表明该治疗方法可以通过再生透明样软骨且没有不良事件来减少软骨缺陷。结论:工程软骨结合骨碎补治疗可显著改善兔膝关节软骨缺损修复的质量,为临床治疗软骨病变提供重要理论依据。     

Comparative assessment of articular cartilage and synovial membrane in experimental haemarthrosis

The changes in articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the knee joints were studied in two groups of rabbits and Wistar rats with experimental haemarthrosis, electron microscopically. Hamarthrosis was produced in group 1 by a single autologous blood injection, in group 2 by intraarticular fracture of the femoral condyles. Samples were taken from the intact articular cartilage, the menisci and the infrapatellar portion of the synovial membrane 12 h to 20 days after intervention. Blood resorption occurs only in the synovial membrane. Fragmentation of erythrocytes and erythrocytophagy by synovial macrophages is documented. The different stages of intracellular digestion of erythrocyte fragments are traced down. Synovial fibroblasts do not participate in erythrocytophagy, although they disclose morphological signs of enhanced functional activity. The findings show changes in the matrix and chondrocytes within the articular cartilage and menisci, and presence of free erythrocytes and lipoprotein complexes amidst the collagen fibres of the matrix. The chondrocytes are poor in cell organelles, while the intracytoplasmic filaments, lipid droplets and glycogen granules are augmented in number. There is no evidence of erythrocytophagy by cartilage cells. On single blood injection in the joint, the ensuing changes are reversible, and the normal synovial membrane structure is restored much quicker than the articular cartilage.     

Fragmentation of decorin, biglycan, lumican and keratocan is elevated in degenerate human meniscus, knee and hip articular cartilages compared with age-matched macroscopically normal and control tissues

Introduction

The small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) modulate tissue organization, cellular proliferation, matrix adhesion, growth factor and cytokine responses, and sterically protect the surface of collagen type I and II fibrils from proteolysis. Catabolism of SLRPs has important consequences for the integrity of articular cartilage and meniscus by interfering with their tissue homeostatic functions.

Methods

SLRPs were dissociatively extracted from articular cartilage from total knee and hip replacements, menisci from total knee replacements, macroscopically normal and fibrillated knee articular cartilage from mature age-matched donors, and normal young articular cartilage. The tissue extracts were digested with chondroitinase ABC and keratanase-I before identification of SLRP core protein species by Western blotting using antibodies to the carboxyl-termini of the SLRPs.

Results

Multiple core-protein species were detected for all of the SLRPs (except fibromodulin) in the degenerate osteoarthritic articular cartilage and menisci. Fibromodulin had markedly less fragments detected with the carboxyl-terminal antibody compared with other SLRPs. There were fewer SLRP catabolites in osteoarthritic hip than in knee articular cartilage. Fragmentation of all SLRPs in normal age-matched, nonfibrillated knee articular cartilage was less than in fibrillated articular cartilage from the same knee joint or total knee replacement articular cartilage specimens of similar age. There was little fragmentation of SLRPs in normal control knee articular cartilage. Only decorin exhibited a consistent increase in fragmentation in menisci in association with osteoarthritis. There were no fragments of decorin, biglycan, lumican, or keratocan that were unique to any tissue. A single fibromodulin fragment was detected in osteoarthritic articular cartilage but not meniscus. All SLRPs showed a modest age-related increase in fragmentation in knee articular and meniscal cartilage but not in other tissues.

Conclusion

Enhanced fragmentation of SLRPs is evident in degenerate articular cartilage and meniscus. Specific decorin and fibromodulin core protein fragments in degenerate meniscus and/or human articular cartilage may be of value as biomarkers of disease. Once the enzymes responsible for their generation have been identified, further research may identify them as therapeutic targets.     

Combined use of adipose derived stem cells and TGF-β3 microspheres promotes articular cartilage regeneration in vivo

We investigated enhancement of articular cartilage regeneration using a combination of human adipose derived stem cells (hADSCs) and TGF-β3 microspheres (MS) in vivo. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)MS were prepared using a solid/oil/water emulsion solvent evaporation-extraction method. The morphology of the MS was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The release characteristic of the TGF-β3 MS was evaluated. A New Zealand rabbit model for experimental osteoarthritis (OA) was established using the anterior medial meniscus excision method. Thirty OA rabbits were divided randomly into three groups according to different treatments of the right knee joints on day 7 after surgery: hADSCs/MS group received injection of both hADSCs and TGF-β3 MS; hADSCs group was injected with hADSCs; control group was injected with normal saline. Gross observation, histological staining and RT-PCR for collagen II and aggrecan) were used to assess the severity of OA and for evaluating the effect of combined use of hADSCs and TGF-β3 MS on articular cartilage regeneration in vivo. The MS were spherical with a smooth surface and the average diameter was 28 ± 2.3 µm. The encapsulation efficiency test showed that 73.8 ± 2.9% of TGF-β3 were encapsulated in the MS. The release of TGF- β3 lasted for at least 30 days. At both 6 and 12 weeks after injection, three groups exhibited different degrees of OA. Histological analysis showed that the hADSCs/MS group exhibited less OA than the hADSCs group, and the control group exhibited the most severe OA. Real-time RT-PCR showed that the gene expression of both collagen II and aggrecan were significantly up-regulated in the hADSCs/MS group. At 12 weeks after injection, the hADSCs/MS group also exhibited less OA than the other two groups. Combined use of hADSCs and TGF-β3 MS promoted articular cartilage regeneration in rabbit OA models.     

Knee joint kinematics during walking influences the spatial cartilage thickness distribution in the knee

The regional adaptation of knee cartilage morphology to the kinematics of walking has been suggested as an important factor in the evaluation of the consequences of alteration in normal gait leading to osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of spatial cartilage thickness distributions of the femur and tibia in the knee to the knee kinematics during walking. Gait data and knee MR images were obtained from 17 healthy volunteers (age 33.2 ± 9.8 years). Cartilage thickness maps were created for the femoral and tibial cartilage. Locations of thickest cartilage in the medial and lateral compartments in the femur and tibia were identified using a numerical method. The flexion-extension (FE) angle associated with the cartilage contact regions on the femur, and the anterior-posterior (AP) translation and internal-external (IE) rotation associated with the cartilage contact regions on the tibia at the heel strike of walking were tested for correlation with the locations of thickest cartilage. The locations of the thickest cartilage had relatively large variation (SD, 8.9°) and was significantly associated with the FE angle at heel strike only in the medial femoral condyle (R(2)=0.41, p<0.01). The natural knee kinematics and contact surface shapes seem to affect the functional adaptation of knee articular cartilage morphology. The sensitivity of cartilage morphology to kinematics at the knee during walking suggests that regional cartilage thickness variations are influenced by both loading and the number of loading cycles. Thus walking is an important consideration in the analysis of the morphological variations of articular cartilage, since it is the dominant cyclic activity of daily living. The sensitivity of cartilage morphology to gait kinematics is also important in understanding the etiology and pathomechanics of osteoarthritis.     

Treatment of cartilage defects by Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in a sheep model

Aim of this study was to evaluate effects of Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on repair of articular cartilage defects. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (Lipus) can induce the differentiation and activation of chondrocytes. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Lipus on articular cartilage defects in a sheep. Eight sheep were divided in to two groups. The animals received bilateraly, articular cartilage defects 4 mm in diameter and 2 mm in deep on the patellar groove and experimental groups were treated with intensity 200 mW/cm², 20 min/day with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for 2 month. Then both knee joints underwent surgery for remove of formed tissue sample from defects.The samples were evaluated by Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Safranin-o staining, Immunofluorescence Staining and Morphological characterization. The best and worst sample per group according to Macroscopic and micriscopic scoring were icentified. The results showed that the operated groups with-Lipus-treatment and without-Lipus treatment had considered statistically significant. Gross photography revealed that the defects in experimental groups were filled with proliferative tissue, while in control groups, a thin layer of proliferative tissue was formed in defects. qRT-PCR results showed the expression of coll2, sox9, aggrecan and Osteocalcin in experimental groups. Intense safranin-O staining show the formation cartilage tissue in ultrasound treated group, while loose safranin-o-staining were observed at the control groups. Immunofluorescence staining showed the type 2 Collagen protein expression. We suggest that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound provide the mechanistic basis force for articular cartilage repair and effective treatment modality for improving of articular cartilage defects.

     

膝骨关节炎患者关节液和滑膜中IL-6、MMP-13、VEGF的表达及与病情进展的关系

目的:研究膝骨关节炎(KOA)患者关节液和滑膜中白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、基质金属蛋白酶-13(MMP-13)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达及与病情进展的关系。方法:选择自2017年1月到2017年6月在我院就诊的KOA患者30例进行研究,其中维吾尔族和汉族各15例,分别记为维吾尔族组和汉族组。另选同期在我院接受骨折修复和截肢等手术治疗的10例无骨关节炎的患者作为对照组。对比各组IL-6、MMP-13及VEGF水平以及关节软骨中水通道蛋白3(AQP3)阳性表达率,对比维吾尔族组和汉族组软骨不同区域内AQP3阳性表达,分析KOA患者关节液和滑膜中IL-6、MMP-13、VEGF及关节软骨中AQP3的阳性表达与病情进展的相关性。结果:维吾尔族组和汉族组关节液和滑膜中IL-6、MMP-13及VEGF水平均分别高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。维吾尔族组和汉族组关节软骨中AQP3阳性表达率均分别明显高于对照组,且维吾尔族组明显高于汉族组,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。维吾尔族组和汉族组浅层软骨磨损严重区的AQP3阳性表达率明显高于软骨深层区和软骨下骨区,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。Spearman相关性分析显示,KOA患者关节液和滑膜中IL-6、MMP-13、VEGF及关节软骨中AQP3的阳性表达与病情进展均呈正相关(均P0.05)。结论:KOA患者关节液和滑膜中IL-6、MMP-13、VEGF水平及关节软骨中AQP3阳性表达均异常升高,以上指标参与了病情的进展,且AQP3阳性表达高低还与民族有关,临床上可考虑将这些指标作为监测KOA患者病情的靶点。     

The occurrence of hydroxyapatite crystals in extracellular matrix vesicles after surgical manipulation of the rabbit knee joint

Summary Free autologous grafts of synovial tissue were transplanted into experimental defects produced in the articular cartilage of rabbit knee joints. The grafted tissue underwent transformation into fibrocartilage. Extracellular matrix vesicles associated with calcified areas were present at the grafted sites. Hydroxyapatite crystals were found within these vesicles and in their vicinity. No calcification occurred in articular cartilage from sham operated joints in which defects were produced but no grafts made and in normal controls. These tissues showed abundant matrix vesicles devoid of crystalline mineral. A careful study of normal synovial tissue did not reveal matrix vesicles and calcifications. The present observations suggest that matrix vesicles in normal articular cartilage exist in a latent form. Vesicle mineralization following surgical manipulations of the joint is probably a manifestation of the metabolic stage of the tissue.     

Effects of Notch/p38MAPK signaling pathway on articular cartilage defect recovery by BMSCs tissue based on the rabbit articular cartilage defect models

ObjectiveThe objective is to clarify the effects of Notch/p38MAPK signaling pathway on articular cartilage defect recovery by BMSCs tissue and provide a basis for clinical treatments of articular cartilage defects.MethodsA total of 96 healthy male rabbits (weighed 1.5–2.0 kg) that were fully-grown were selected and grouped as the no-treatment group, the model group, and the treatment group in a random manner. Each group included 32 rabbits in total. The no-treatment group was fed without any interventions. The model group and the treatment group were constructed into rabbit knee-joint articular cartilage defect models. In addition, rabbits in the treatment group were given intervention treatments with Notch inhibitor (DAPT) combined with p38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580). The general conditions of rabbits in each group and the conditions of the stained articular cartilage tissue samples were observed, the proliferation of chondrocytes of rabbits in each group was compared.Results(1) After drug interventions, in contrast to the rabbits in the model group, the general conditions and the chondrocyte recovering situations of rabbits in the treatment group were obviously improved; (2) 8 weeks after model construction, the articular cartilage empty bone lacuna rate of rabbits in the treatment group was (12.13 ± 1.81)%, which was obviously lower than the synchronous (21.55 ± 3.07)% articular cartilage empty bone lacuna rate of rabbits in the model group, and there was a statistical significance in the differences (P < 0.05); (3) the absorbance value (OD value) of chondrocytes in the treatment group was (0.34 ± 0.015), which was obviously higher than the (0.10 ± 0.020) OD value of chondrocytes in the model group, and there was a statistical significance in the differences (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe inhibition of Notch/p38MAPK signaling pathway can promote the recovery of articular cartilage by BMSCs tissue, accelerate the proliferation of chondrocytes, and contribute to the recovery of knee-joint injuries in rabbits, which provides a reliable basis for clinical treatments of articular cartilage defects.     

Chondromalacia induced by patellar subluxation: morphological and morphometrical aspects in rabbits

The purpose of this study was to describe morphologically and quantify the changes of the articular cartilage in chondromalacia, concerning both the chondrocytes and extracellular matrix. Eight rabbits were submitted daily to patellar subluxation, causing chondromalacia after two weeks. The knee fragments obtained were processed by the standard methods. These experimental conditions caused degenerative alterations of the articular cartilage, varying from a slight decrease of proteoglycans, to fibrillations, clefts, and horizontal splitting. The results showed a significantly increase number of chondrocytes (p < 0,000139), although smaller in size (p < 0,000109). The immobilization for 2 weeks and the intermittent passive daily motion afterwards for a period of 2 weeks, was effective to cause patellar chrondomalacia in rabbits.