Objective To examine the effects of alendronate (ALN) on IL-1β-stimulated chondrocyte of rabbit in vitro and on cartilage and subchondral bone in rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) induced by anterior cruciate l igament transection (ACLT). Methods The chondrocytes from articular surface of healthy 3-month-old Japanese White rabbits were obtained by the method of enzyme digestion and cultured in vitro. The third generation chondrocytes were assigned into three groups: thechondrocytes were cultured in DMEM medium with 10 ng/mL IL-1β for 2 days, subsequently with (ALN group, group A1) orwithout (IL-1β group, group B1) 1 × 10-6 mol/L ALN for 3 days; the chondrocytes in vacant group (group C1) were cultured in DMEM medium for 5 days. The expression of Col II and MMP-13 were analyzed by immunocytochemical staining observation and real time RT-PCR test. Another twenty-four 3-month-old male Japanese White rabbits were randomized into three groups (n=8 per group). The OA model was made by ACLT in ACLT+ALN group (group A2) and ACLT group (group B2); the joint cave was sutured after exposure of ACL in sham group (group C2). After 4 days, the rabbits of group A2 received the subcutaneous injection of ALN at a dosage of 10 μg/(kg·d) for 8 weeks. Rabbits of group B2 and C2 received equal normal sal ine treatment. After 8 weeks, the rabbits were executed. The macro-pathologic changes of right knee joints were observed, so were the histological changes of femoral condyles. Expression levels of Col II and MMP-13 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The bone histomorphometry analysis was appl ied to subchondral bone of proximal tibia. Results In vitro, the Col II immunocytochemical staining showed intensely positive staining in group C1, and the intensity of staining was sl ightly decreased in group A1, but the intensity of Col II immunocytochemical staining was extremely lower in the group B1. The integrated absorbance (IA) value for Col II in group A1 was significantly higher than that of group B1 (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A1 and group C1 (P gt; 0.05). Immunocytochemical detection of MMP-13 showed intense staining in group B1, and the intensity of staining was sl ightly decreased in group A1, but no MMP-13 expression was detected in the group C1. The IA value for MMP-13 in group A1 was significantly lower than that of group B1 (P lt; 0.05), but significantly higher than that of group C1 (P lt; 0.05). The real time RT-PCR analysis showed significantly higher mRNA levels of Col II in group A1 than in group B1 (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group A1 and group C1 (P gt; 0.05). The MMP-13 mRNA level of the chondrocytes in group A1 was significantly lower than that of group B1 (P lt; 0.05), but significantly higher than that of group C1 (P lt; 0.05). In vivo, the gross appearance of surface of knee joint showed that there was no ulcer in group C2, and there was some ulcers in group A2, but many and all layers ulcers in group B2. Mankin score of group A2 was significantly lowerthan that of group B2 (P lt; 0.05), but significantly higher than that of group C2 (P lt; 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that Col II in articular cartilage was intensely staining in group C2, the intensity of staining was sl ightly decreased in group A2, and the intensity of Col II immunohistochemical staining was extremely low in group B2, but there was no significant difference between group A2 and group C2 (P gt; 0.05..........
Objective To review the research progress of cartilage ol igomeric matrix protein (COMP). Methods Domestic and abroad l iterature about COMP was reviewed and summarized. Results COMP was one of the osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers of being widely studied. Most studies in recent years could draw the conclusion that COMP was associated with OA. COMP was the foremost biomarker among investgated biomarkers. It could been continuously expressed and predicted knee OA progression. Conclusion Precisely what role COMP plays in OA pathogenesis remains unclear, using COMP as a tool to early diagnose OA more studies would be needed.
Objective To investigate the effect of sodium hyaluronate (SH) intra-articular injection on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), andto compare the contents of free radicals and inflammatory factors in joint fluids of pre-and pro-treatment as to explore the treatment mechanism of SH. Methods Ninety-two patients (111 knees) with mild(51)，moderate(35) and serious(25) knee OA were treated with intra-articular injections of SH (20 mg once a week for 5 weeks). According to Lysholm scoring, clinical signs such aspain, swelling,and the ability to walk, squat, run, go upstairs and downstairs were assessed before and after the treatment, and the contents of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malonic dialdehyde(MDA) and IL-1β、TNF-α in joint fluids from the OA joints before 1st,2nd, and 5th injection and 3 months after each injection were observed. Results All cases were followed up for 3 months. The improvements in the signs and function of knees were excellent in 42 knees, good in 38 knees, fair in 21 knees and poor in 10 knees, with 72.1% excellent and good results. The lighter the illness was, the better the improvement was: the rate of the excellent and good was 92.1% in mild group, 68.6% in moderate group and 42.9% in serious group. The contents of oxygen free radicals and IL-1β、TNF-α of the patients with mild and moderate OA decreasedmarkedly after being treated with SH（Plt;0.05）, but these decreased lightlyin serious OA group（Pgt;0.05）. SH had mild effect on the contents of NO. Three months after treatment, only in mild OA group the contents of NO significantly decreased（Plt;0.05）, and no significant change in moderate and serious groups was observed（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion SH intraarticular injection has a positive effect on the relief of clinical symptoms and on the improvement of articular function of knee OA. The therapeutical effect of SH on OA is achieved possibly by decreasing the contents of free radicals especially oxygen free radicals and inflammatory factors in joint fluids.
Objective To investigate the rotational mismatch of total kneereplacement with medial 1/3 of tibial tuberosity as bony landmark in osteoarthritic patients with varus or valgus deformity. Methods Axial images on computed tomography of 62 knees (including 55 varus deformities and 7 valgus deformities) in 32 Chinese osteoarthritic patients who had total knee arthroplasty were analyzed, compared with that of 10 healthy knees. On images of the distal femur, the angle between the lines of surgical epicondylar axis(SEA) and posterior condylar axis was measured as posterior condylar angle (PCA), and on images of the proximal tibia, a baseline for the anteriorposterior axis of each component was drawn based on the SEA for the femur and the medial 1/3 of the tibial tuberosity for the tibia. The angle between these lines (Angle α) was defined as therotational mismatch between the components when they were aligned to the anatomic landmarks of each bone. Results The sulcus of medial epicondyle of femur could be identified on CT images of over 80% osteoarthritic knees; the median value of PCA was +2.36°, with an individual variation of 0° to +7.5°. Angle α was +6.45±3.68°(range, 0° to +11.8°) in 10 healthy knees, which increased significantly to +10.85±10.47°(range, 0° to +28.1°)in 55 varus knees (P＜0.05), which also increased significantly to +11.6±7.3°(range, -6.5° to +26.8°) in 7 valgus knees (P＜ 0.05). Conclusion With the medial 1/3 of the tibial tuberosity as the rotational landmark for the tibial component, there was a tendency to align the tibial component in external rotational position relative to the femoral component in knees with normal alignment, the rotational mismatch increased in Chinese osteoarthritic knees with varus and valgus deformity.
Objective To analyze the outcomes and complications after total knee replacement(TKR) with posterior stabilized prosthesis(PS) and to investigate the influencing factors relating to outcomes. Methods From January 1998 to August2004, 60 cases (74 knees) of osteoarthritis underwent TKR with PS. The outcomeswere evaluated according to the HSS(hospital for special surgery) scoring. The difference in outcomes between patients with post-operative complications and without complications were compared. Pearson correlation was used to analyze post-operative outcomes and the pre-operative factors relating to patients. Results All 74 knees werefollowed up 42.5months(24 to 94 months). The scores for HSS, pain, function, ROM muscle strength, flexion deformity and stability of knees after operation were 84.2±14.2, 25.7±6.9, 17.9±4.3,13.1±2.0，9.2±0.8，8.1±0.4 and 9.3±0.1 respectively. They were improved to some extents, especially pain alleviation was remarkable. The excellent and good rate for outcome assessment was 90.5%. Among 74 knees, 10 cases suffered from postoperative complications, including 1 case of common peroneal nerve paralysis, two cases of wound faulty union, one case of wound infection, one case of joint infection, one case of stiff knee, two cases of deep vein thrombosis and 2 cases of patellofemoral joint complications. The excellent and good rate of outcome in patients with complications(60%) was much lower than that in patients without complication(95.3％),and there was significant difference betweenthem (P＜0.05). Analysis for correlation showed that postoperative HSS score was positively correlative with the postoperative HSS score, pain and function score of knees. The correlation value was 0.523，0.431 and 0.418 respectively(Plt;0.01). Whereas, postoperative HSS score was not correlative with ROM, muscle strength, flexion deformity, stability of knee, age, weight andbody mass index(P＞0.05). Conclusion TKR with PS is an effective method for severe osteoarthritis. The outcomes after TKR have a positive correlation with the HSS score, pain and function score of knees before surgery. Complicationsassociating with surgery have a negative influence on outcomes.
Objective To review the progress of mechanism of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) on normal and osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage and subchondral bones. Methods Recent 1iterature about the effects of PTH and PTHrP on normal and OA cartilage was reviewed. Results PTH and PTHrP can repress the hypertrophic differentiation and apoptosis of chondrocytes and promote their prol iferation, which has a protection effect on chondrocytes of OA; osteoblasts from subchondral bone of OA show a decreased reaction to PTH. Conclusion PTHand PTHrP may delay and protect the progression of OA, which involves in regulating cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone remodl ing through many kinds of signal pathway.
【Abstract】 Objective To make the young patients with osteoarthritis and genu varum of knee delay total knee arthroplasty,to observe the cl inical effect of mosaicplasty of femoral medial condyle, patellar-plasty and high tibial osteotomy inthe treatment of osteoarthritis of knee with varum. Methods From June 2004 to February 2006, 8 patients with osteoarthritisof knee with varum(10 knees) were treated with combined operation such as mosaicplasty of femoral medial condyle, patellarplastyand high tibial osteotomy. There were 2 males with 3 knees, and 6 females with 7 knees,with an average age of 50 years(42-56 years). The left knees and right knees were involved in 3 cases respectively and bilateral knees in 2 cases. All patients hadknee ache after walk or long-time standing. The X-ray showed hyperosteogeny at peri-patella and circum ferential femur-tibialjoint，especially in the medial. The gap between patella and femur narrowed or disappeared，especially in the medial femurtibialjoint. The femoral tibial angel (FTA) was 185-200°(mean 190°). The HSS score of knee was 55-75(mean 60). The history ofknee ache was 1-12 years(mean 5 years). Results All patients were followed up for 7-24 months (mean 15 months). All theincisions healed by first intention, no early compl ication occurred. The cl inical bone heal ing time was 8-11 weeks(mean 9 weeks).Rectification of FTA was 15-30°(mean 20°). Normal weight-loading al ignment was recovered. The valgus angle of knee was 10°.The range of motion of knee was 100-120° after operation, increasing by 5-20° (mean 10°) when compared with preoperation.The X-ray of postoperation showed that genu varum was corrected obviously and that no displacement, loosening and breakageoccurred. The mean score of HSS was 80 (75-88), increasing by 20 when compared with preoperation. Conclusion Mosaicplastyof femoral medial condyle can make articular cartilage repair in certain degrees, patellar-plasty can rel ieve ache of fore region of knee effectively, and high tibial osteotomy can recover normal weight-loading al ignment. The curative effect is good withthe combined methods.
【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the results of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of knee degenerativeosteoarthritis (DOA) . Methods From February 2006 to January 2007, 60 patients with knee DOA were treated with glucosaminehydrochloride,including 15 males and 45 females. The ages of patients ranged from 41 to 67 years with an average ageof 57.5 years. The disease course ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Oral glucosamine hydrochloride was given twice a day, each750 mg, for a 6-week course of treatment; another course of treatment was repeated after 4 months. After two courses of treatment,the international standard DOA score of Lequesne index was used to evaluate the rest of knee pain, sports pain, tenderness,joints activity, morning stiffness and walking abil ity. Results All 60 patients finished treatment, various cl inical symptomsfor DOA disappeared completely in 31 cases and subsided in 27 cases; the cure rate was 51.7% and the total response rate was96.7%. The scores of rest pain, sport pain, tenderness, joints activity, morning stiffness and the abil ity to walk for knee after treatmentwere 0.5±0.2,0.7±0.4,0.8±0.3,0.9±0.4,0.6±0.3 and 0.9±0.4, showing statistically significant differences (P lt; 0.01) whencompared with preoperation (1.6±0.5,2.1±0.4,2.2±0.5,1.8±0.6,1.7±0.4 and 2.0±0.4). Adverse effect occurred in 3 cases (5%)and the patients recovered without special treatment. Conclusion Glucosamine hydrochloride can cure knee DOA withsymptom-rel ieving and joint function-improving action.