Quantitative in vivo CT arthrography of the human osteoarthritic knee to estimate cartilage sulphated glycosaminoglycan content: Correlation with ex-vivo reference standards

Objective. Recently, computed tomography arthrography (CTa) was introduced as quantitative imaging biomarker to estimate cartilage sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content in human cadaveric knees. Our aim was to assess the correlation between in vivo CTa in human osteoarthritis (OA) knees and ex vivo reference standards for sGAG and collagen...

Statins and fibrates do not affect development of spontaneous cartilage damage in STR/Ort mice

Objective: Since statins and fibrates are capable of improving the metabolic profile of patients as well as decreasing inflammation, they are considered as potential drugs for preventing osteoarthritis (OA). The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of these drugs in the STR/Ort spontaneous OA mouse model. Design: Male STR/Ort...

Monounsaturated and Saturated, but Not n-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Decrease Cartilage Destruction under Inflammatory Conditions: A Preliminary Study

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with obesity in which altered fatty acid levels have been observed. We investigated whether the most common fatty acids in synovial fluid influence cartilage deterioration in OA. Design: Cartilage was obtained from OA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Chondrocytes or cartilage explants were...

Infrapatellar fat pad of patients with end-stage osteoarthritis inhibits catabolic mediators in cartilage

Objective: Adipose tissue is known to release inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. In this exploratory study, the authors examined whether the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) closely located to cartilage in the knee joint can affect cartilage metabolism. In addition, the authors analysed whether the macrophage types present in IPFP could...

Cytokine production by infrapatellar fat pad can be stimulated by interleukin 1β and inhibited by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α agonist

Background: Infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) might be involved in osteoarthritis (OA) by production of cytokines. It was hypothesised that production of cytokines is sensitive to environmental conditions. Objectives: To evaluate cytokine production by IPFP in response to interleukin (IL)1β and investigate the ability to modulate this response with...

Inhibition of glycosaminoglycan incorporation influences collagen network formation during cartilage matrix production

To understand cartilage degenerative diseases and improve repair procedures, we investigate the influence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on cartilage matrix biochemistry and functionality. Bovine articular chondrocytes were cultured in alginate beads with(out) para-nitrophenyl-beta-d-xyloside (PNPX) to inhibit GAG incorporation into newly formed...

Contribution of collagen network features to functional properties of engineered cartilage

Background: Damage to articular cartilage is one of the features of osteoarthritis (OA). Cartilage damage is characterised by a net loss of collagen and proteoglycans. The collagen network is considered highly important for cartilage function but little is known about processes that control composition and function of the cartilage collagen...

TGFbeta affects collagen cross-linking independent of chondrocyte phenotype but strongly depending on physical environment

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is often used in cartilage tissue engineering to increase matrix formation by cells with various phenotypes. However, adverse effects of TGFbeta, such as extensive cross-linking in cultured fibroblasts, have also been reported. Our goal was to study effects of TGFbeta on collagen cross-linking and...

Achilles tendinosis: Changes in biochemical composition and collagen turnover rate

Background: Understanding biochemical and structural changes of the extracellular matrix in Achilles tendinosis might be important for developing mechanism-based therapies. Hypothesis: In Achilles tendinosis, changes occur in biochemical composition and collagen turnover rate. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: From 10 patients...

Biochemical and functional modulation of the cartilage collagen network by IGF1, TGFβ2 and FGF2

Objective: Examine effects of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) on proteoglycan and collagen network and biomechanical properties of the newly formed cartilage matrix. Methods: Bovine articular chondrocytes were cultured in alginate beads for 3 weeks with or without...

Glucosamine decreases expression of anabolic and catabolic genes in human osteoarthritic cartilage explants

Objective: To investigate the effect of glucosamine (GlcN) in a human osteoarthritic explant model on expression of genes involved in anabolic and catabolic activities of chondrocytes. Methods: Human osteoarthritic explants, obtained during knee arthroplasty surgery, were pre-cultured (3 days) and treated with glucosamine-hydrochloride (GlcN-HCl...