ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in treating knee cartilage injury resulting from rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsWe selected 200 knee cartilage injury patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in our hospital from January 2011 to January 2015 as the research subjects. They were divided into control group (n=98) and observation group (n=102) according to the time of admission. The control group was treated with conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), while the observation group was treated with glucosamine hydrochloride tablets on the basis of DMARDs. The treatment effect was evaluated and compared between the two groups of patients 18, 36 and 54 weeks after the treatment. ResultsFifty-four weeks later, knee pain score of the observation group was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05) . The observation group had a lower Noyes evaluation level than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05) . Adverse reaction in the observation group was 3.92% and it was 3.06% in the control group, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05) . ConclusionGlucosamine hydrochloride tablets combined with conventional anti-rheumatic treatment is effective for knee cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis, which can promote cartilage repair, and it is worthy of clinical application.
ObjectiveTo observe and study the clinical effect of glucosamine in the treatment of patients with knee articular cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis. MethodsForty-six patients with knee articular cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis treated from January 2013 to June 2015 were selected as the research subjects, and they were randomly divided into control group (conventional treatment group, n=23) and observation group (conventional and glucosamine treatment group, n=23) . Then the Noyes classification and serum articular cartilage injury related indexes [cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3 and mouse tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1], inflammatory indexes [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)- 17 and IL-33] of the two groups before and after treatment were compared. ResultsIn the observation group, after treatment for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, Noyes grade was better than that in the control group, but with no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05) . In the observation group, after treatment for 4, 8 and 12 weeks, serum inflammatory markers serum COMP, MMP-1, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 and other related indicators of cartilage damage and serum TNF-α, IL-17 and IL-33 were all significantly lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05) . ConclusionIn the treatment of patients with knee articular cartilage injury caused by rheumatoid arthritis, glucosamine has active role for the improvement of articular cartilage injury and inflammatory stress state of patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships between the expression of integrin β1 and activated cells in a partial-thickness articular cartilage injury model of adult rats. MethodForty-five male Sprague Dawley rats (aged 10 weeks and weighing 300-400 g) were randomly divided into operated group (n=15) , sham-operated group (n=15) , and control group (n=15) . Partial-thickness articular cartilage injury model was made by scarification in operated group, direct suture after opening of the knee joint was performed in sham-operated group, and no operation was done in control group. Five rats were sacrificed at 1, 7, and 14 days after operation respectively for macroscopic evaluation, HE staining, Safranin O staining, CD105, BrdU, CD105/integrin β1 immunofluorescence and double labeling staining. The histological score of HE staining, gray value of Safranin O staining and CD105-positive cells count were compared among groups at each time point. ResultsMacroscopic evaluation showed chondromalacia and cartilage fibrosis around the linear injury with aggravating tendency with time in operated group, but no chondromalacia and cartilage fibrosis in sham-operated and control groups. HE staining demonstrated a number of activated cells accumulating around the linear injury with nonuniform distribution in operated group, and uniform size and distribution in sham-operated and control groups. The histological scores at each time point in operated group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group and control group (P<0.05) , but no significant difference was found between different time points in 3 groups (P>0.05) . Safranin O staining was nonuniform with hypochromasia around linear injury in operated group, but the staining was uniform in sham-operated group and control group. Gray value of Safranin O staining had no significant difference among groups and among different time points in the same group (P>0.05) . BrdU-positive and CD105-positive cells distributed unevenly around the linear injury in operated group, uniform distribution was observed in sham-operated group and control group. CD105-positive cells count in operated group was significantly higher than those in sham-operated group and control group at each time point (P<0.05) ; CD105-positive cells increased significantly with time in operated group (P<0.05) . CD105/integrinβ1-positive cells were observed around the linear injury in operated group, but was not observed in sham-operated group and control group. ConclusionsThe partial-thickness articular cartilage injury model is successfully established in rats, and cartilage injury could not be repaired completely in the model. The activated cells aggregation around the linear injury can be observed, but there is no obvious relationships between activated cells and cartilage matrix. These activated cells are in proliferation and could express both CD105 and integrin β1.
Objective To determine the short-term effectiveness of matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) for femoral trochlea cartilage injury. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 10 patients with femoral trochlea cartilage injury treated with MACI between June 2012 and October 2014. There were 6 males and 4 females, aged from 15 to 48 years (mean, 33 years). The left knee was involved in 3 cases and the right knee in 7 cases. Nine patients had a history of trauma, and 1 case suffered from osteochondritis dissecans. Combined injuries included meniscus injury in 1 case, anterior cruciate ligament injury in 3 cases, and lateral collateral ligament tear in 2 cases. The mean lesion depth was 2.80 mm (range, 2-7 mm), with the mean defect size of 84.85 mm2 (range, 28.26-153.86 mm2). The mean duration of definite diagnosis was 14 days (range, 5 days to 3 months). By using arthroscopic biopsy, 200-300 mg healthy articular cartilage at non weight-bearing area of the knee femoral trochlea was collected as a source of seed cells, which were isolated and cultured to prepare MACI membrane. The adhesion activity, growth rate, and mechanical properties of the chondrocytes on the Bio-gide collagen scaffold were evaluated. In addition, the stretch rate, tensile strength, and suture strength of scaffold were tested. MACI membrane was implanted after 2 weeks to 6 months. The visual analogou scale (VAS), Lysholm score, and Tegner movement level score at preoperation and last follow-up were used to assess the function. Results The MACI membrane was successfully prepared, and the human chondrocytes adhered and grew well on the Bio-gide collagen scaffold. Mechanical test showed that MACI membrane had the stretch rate of 65.27%, the tensile strength of 26.81 MPa, and the suture strength of 6.49 N, indicating good mechanical properties. MACI membrane was successfully implanted. The mean operation time was 58.5 minutes (range, 43-99 minutes), and the mean hospitalization time was 7 days (range, 6-15 days). All incisions healed well. Ten cases were followed up 9 to 16 months (mean, 12 months). Four cases underwent iliac bone graft surgery. The mean healing time was 14 weeks (range, 12-16 weeks). No complications of osteochondrolysis, knee pain, nerve and vascular injury, deep vein thrombosis, and knee adhesion occurred during follow-up. The VAS score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (t=12.060,P=0.000;t=–9.200,P=0.000;t=–14.000,P=0.000). Conclusion MACI for femoral trochlea cartilage injury has good short-term effectiveness, with less injury and fast function recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of magnesium sulfate in protecting rabbit cartilage by initiating autophagy.MethodsTwenty-four adult female New Zealand rabbits were used to prepare post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) models by anterior cruciate ligament transection. Then, the PTOA models were randomly divided into PTOA group, distilled water group, and magnesium sulfate group, with 8 rabbits in each group. Immediately after operation, the distilled water group and the magnesium sulfate group were injected with 0.5 mL distilled water and 20 mmol/L magnesium sulfate solution in the joint cavity 3 times a week for 4 weeks, respectively. The PTOA group was not treated. The general condition of the animals was observed after operation. After 4 weeks, the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and collagen typeⅡ in the joint fluid and the expression of collagen type Ⅱ in venous blood were detected by ELISA assay. The protein expressions of transient receptor potential channel vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) and microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3; LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ) in femoral cartilage were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expressions of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases 3 (MMP-3) in synovial tissue and collagen type Ⅱ, Aggrecan (AGN), SOX9 in cartilage tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Cartilage tissue sections were stained with HE staining, Masson staining, and Alcian blue staining and scored according to the modified histological osteoarthritis (OA) score.ResultsAll animals survived until the experiment was completed. Compared with the other two groups, the expression of TNF-α in joint effusion and collagen type Ⅱ in joint effusion and venous blood were decreased in magnesium sulfate group; the protein expression of TRPV5 decreased, and the ratio of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ increased significantly; the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-3 in synovial tissue were decreased, and the mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅱ, AGN, and SOX9 in cartilage tissue were increased; OA scores also decreased significantly. All differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the PTOA group and the distilled water group (P>0.05).ConclusionIntra-articular injection of magnesium sulfate can reduce intra-articular inflammation, reduce the loss of collagen type Ⅱ and AGN, and is beneficial to cartilage regeneration in rabbits. The mechanism may be related to the initiation of chondroautophagy by inhibiting the calcium channel TRPV5.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) in the treatment of young and middle-aged patients with the articular cartilage injury. MethodsA clinical data of 43 patients (43 knees) with articular cartilage injury, who underwent OAT between January 2008 and August 2016, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 23 patients aged 20-40 years (young group) and 20 patients aged 40-60 years (middle-aged group). The difference in age between the two groups was significant (t=14.120, P=0.001). There was no significant difference in gender, body mass index, complications, affected side, lesion site, lesion area, and the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grade of cartilage injury between the two groups (P>0.05). The function of knee joint was evaluated by Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score during the follow-up. MRI examination was performed to observe the repair of both receiving and the donor sites. ResultsAll the incisions in the two groups were healed by first intention. All patients in the two groups were followed up with an average of 3.6 years (range, 2-8 years). At 2 years after operation, the Lysholm and IKDC scores were significantly improved in the two groups when compared with the preoperative scores (P<0.05). The Lysholm and IKDC scores in the young group were significantly better than those in the middle-aged group before operation and at 2 years after operation (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the differences of the Lysholm and IKDC scores between pre- and post-operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The MRI examination at 2 years after operation showed that both receiving and the donor sites healed well in the two groups. ConclusionAccording to the texture, thickness, elasticity, and lesion area of the cartilage, arthroscopic OAT might be the first choice for the articular cartilage injury in middle-aged patients and can obtain the satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Objective To summarize the effect of cartilage progenitor cells (CPCs) and microRNA-140 (miR-140) on the repair of osteoarthritic cartilage injury, and analyze their clinical prospects. Methods The recent researches regarding the CPCs, miR-140, and repair of cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA) disease were extensively reviewed and summarized. Results CPCs possess the characteristics of self-proliferation, expression of stem cell markers, and multi-lineage differentiation potential, and their chondrogenic ability is superior to other tissues-derived mesenchymal stem cells. CPCs are closely related to the development of OA, but the autonomic activation and chondrogenic ability of CPCs around the osteoarthritic cartilage lesion cannot meet the requirements of complete cartilage repair. miR-140 specifically express in cartilage, and has the potential to activate CPCs by inhibiting key molecules of Notch signaling pathway and enhance its chondrogenic ability, thus promoting the repair of osteoarthritic cartilage injury. Intra-articular delivery of drugs is one of the main methods of OA treatment, although intra-articular injection of miR-140 has a significant inhibitory effect on cartilage degeneration in rats, it also exhibit some limitations such as non-targeted aggregation, low bioavailability, and rapid clearance. So it is a good application prospect to construct a carrier with good safety, cartilage targeting, and high-efficiency for miR-140 based on articular cartilage characteristics. In addition, CPCs are mainly dispersed in the cartilage surface, while OA cartilage injury also begins from this layer, it is therefore essential to emphasize early intervention of OA. Conclusion miR-140 has the potential to activate CPCs and promote the repair of cartilage injury in early OA, and it is of great clinical significance to further explore the role of miR-140 in OA etiology and to develop new OA treatment strategies based on miR-140.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic microfracture combined with osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) in treatment of large area (4-6 cm2) cartilage injury of the femoral condyle of knee.MethodsBetween March 2016 and June 2017, 22 patients of large area cartilage injury of the femoral condyle of knee were treated with arthroscopic microfracture combined with OAT. There were 16 males and 6 females with an average age of 22-60 years (mean, 38.6 years). The cause of injury was traffic accident in 8 cases and sports injuries in 14 cases. The disease duration was 1-6 months (mean, 3.4 months). There were 15 cases of medial femoral condyle injuries and 7 cases of lateral condyle injuries. The area of cartilage defect was 4-6 cm2 (mean, 4.98 cm2). According to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification, 9 cases were rated as grade Ⅲ and 13 cases as grade Ⅳ. Eighteen cases were combined with meniscus injuries. Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.36±1.25 and Lysholm score was 36.00±7.77.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-3 years with an average of 2.3 years. At 2 years after operation, the VAS score was 1.27±0.94 and the Lysholm score was 77.82±6.21, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=16.595, P=0.000; t=21.895, P=0.000). At 2 years after operation, MRI showed that the cartilage defect was repaired well.ConclusionArthroscopic microfracture combined with OAT can be used to treat large area cartilage injury of the femoral condyle of knee, and the good early effectiveness can be obtained.