Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling joint disorder and mechanical loading is an important pathogenesis. This study aims to investigate the benefits of less mechanical loading created by intermittent tail suspension for knee OA. A post-traumatic OA model was established in 20 rats (12 weeks old, male). Ten rats were treated with less mechanical loading through intermittent tail suspension, while another ten rats were treated with normal mechanical loading. Cartilage damage was determined by gross appearance, Safranin O/Fast Green staining, and immunohistochemistry examinations. Subchondral bone changes were analyzed by micro-CT and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and serum inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Aims
Methods
To investigate whether idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is related to impaired osteoblast activities. We cultured osteoblasts isolated from trabecular bone explants taken from the femoral head and the intertrochanteric region of patients with idiopathic ONFH, or from the intertrochanteric region of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and compared their viability, mineralization capacity, and secretion of paracrine factors.Aims
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The effect of the gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolite on bone health is termed the gut-bone axis. Multiple studies have elucidated the mechanisms but findings vary greatly. A systematic review was performed to analyze current animal models and explore the effect of GM on bone. Literature search was performed on PubMed and Embase databases. Information on the types and strains of animals, induction of osteoporosis, intervention strategies, determination of GM, assessment on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone quality, and key findings were extracted.Aims
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The aim of our study is to investigate the effect induced by alternated mechanical loading on Notch-1 in mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) of growing rabbits. A total of 64 ten-day-old rabbits were randomly divided into two groups according to dietary hardness: normal diet group (pellet) and soft diet group (powder). In each group, the rabbits were further divided into four subgroups by feeding time: two weeks, four weeks, six weeks, and eight weeks. Animals would be injected 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) every day for one week before sacrificing. Histomorphometric analysis of MCC thickness was performed through haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunochemical analysis was done to test BrdU and Notch-1. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to measure expression of Notch-1, Jagged-1, and Delta-like 1 (Dll-1).Aims
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Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a complex musculoskeletal disease that occurs mostly in children. This study aimed to investigate the molecular changes in the hip joint capsule of patients with DDH. High-throughput sequencing was used to identify genes that were differentially expressed in hip joint capsules between healthy controls and DDH patients. Biological assays including cell cycle, viability, apoptosis, immunofluorescence, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and western blotting were performed to determine the roles of the differentially expressed genes in DDH pathology.Aims
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The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is known to have a poor wound healing capacity, whereas other ligaments outside of the knee joint capsule such as the medial collateral ligament (MCL) apparently heal more easily. Plasmin has been identified as a major component in the synovial fluid that varies among patients. The aim of this study was to test whether plasmin, a component of synovial fluid, could be a main factor responsible for the poor wound healing capacity of the ACL. The effects of increasing concentrations of plasmin (0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 50 µg/ml) onto the wound closing speed (WCS) of primary ACL-derived ligamentocytes (ACL-LCs) were tested using wound scratch assay and time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy. Additionally, relative expression changes (quantitative PCR (qPCR)) of major LC-relevant genes and catabolic genes were investigated. The positive controls were 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).Aims
Methods
Interleukin (IL)-1β is one of the major pathogenic regulators during the pathological development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, effective treatment options for IDD are limited. Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of suramin on mitigating IDD and to characterize the underlying mechanism. Porcine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were treated with vehicle, 10 ng/ml IL-1β, 10 μM suramin, or 10 μM suramin plus IL-1β. The expression levels of catabolic and anabolic proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB-related signalling molecules were assessed by Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence analysis. Flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptotic cells. The ex vivo effects of suramin were examined using IDD organ culture and differentiation was analyzed by Safranin O-Fast green and Alcian blue staining.Aims
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Preoperative diagnosis is important for revision surgery after prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The purpose of our study was to determine whether reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), which is used to detect bacterial ribosomal RNA (rRNA) preoperatively, can reveal PJI in low volumes of aspirated fluid. We acquired joint fluid samples (JFSs) by preoperative aspiration from patients who were suspected of having a PJI and failed arthroplasty; patients with preoperative JFS volumes less than 5 ml were enrolled. RNA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial culture were performed, and diagnostic efficiency was compared between the two methods.According to established Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria, 21 of the 33 included patients were diagnosed with PJI.Aims
Methods
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as key regulators of bone formation, signalling, and repair. Fracture healing is a proliferative physiological process where the body facilitates the repair of a bone fracture. The aim of our study was to explore the effects of microRNA-186 (miR-186) on fracture healing through the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway by binding to Smad family member 6 (SMAD6) in a mouse model of femoral fracture. Microarray analysis was adopted to identify the regulatory miR of SMAD6. 3D micro-CT was performed to assess the bone volume (BV), bone volume fraction (BVF, BV/TV), and bone mineral density (BMD), followed by a biomechanical test for maximum load, maximum radial degrees, elastic radial degrees, and rigidity of the femur. The positive expression of SMAD6 in fracture tissues was measured. Moreover, the miR-186 level, messenger RNA (mRNA) level, and protein levels of SMAD6, BMP-2, and BMP-7 were examined.Objectives
Methods
The study aimed to determine whether the microRNA miR21-5p (MiR21) mediates temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) by targeting growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5). TMJ-OA was induced in MiR21 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice by a unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) procedure. Mouse tissues exhibited histopathological changes, as assessed by: Safranin O, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemistry staining; western blotting (WB); and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Mouse condylar chondrocytes were transfected with a series of MiR21 mimic, MiR21 inhibitor, Gdf5 siRNA (si-GDF5), and flag-GDF5 constructs. The effects of MiR-21 and Gdf5 on the expression of OA related molecules were evaluated by immunofluorescence, alcian blue staining, WB, and RT-qPCR.Aims
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Now that we are in the deceleration phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus has shifted to how to safely reinstate elective operating. Regional and speciality specific data is important to guide this decision-making process. This study aimed to review 30-day mortality for all patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery during the peak of the pandemic within our region. This multicentre study reviewed data on all patients undergoing trauma and orthopaedic surgery in a region from 18 March 2020 to 27 April 2020. Information was collated from regional databases. Patients were COVID-19-positive if they had positive laboratory testing and/or imaging consistent with the infection. 30-day mortality was assessed for all patients. Secondly, 30-day mortality in fracture neck of femur patients was compared to the same time period in 2019.Aims
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Extracellular matrix (ECM) and its architecture have a vital role in articular cartilage (AC) structure and function. We hypothesized that a multi-layered chitosan-gelatin (CG) scaffold that resembles ECM, as well as native collagen architecture of AC, will achieve superior chondrogenesis and AC regeneration. We also compared its in vitro and in vivo outcomes with randomly aligned CG scaffold. Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the chondrogenic lineage on scaffolds. Quality of in vitro regenerated cartilage was assessed by cell viability, growth, matrix synthesis, and differentiation. Bilateral osteochondral defects were created in 15 four-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits and segregated into three treatment groups with five in each. The groups were: 1) untreated and allogeneic chondrocytes; 2) multi-layered scaffold with and without cells; and 3) randomly aligned scaffold with and without cells. After four months of follow-up, the outcome was assessed using histology and immunostaining.Aims
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Proliferation, migration, and differentiation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant and surrounding cells are fundamental processes for ACL reconstruction; however, the interaction between ACL remnant and surrounding cells is unclear. We hypothesized that ACL remnant cells preserve the capability to regulate the surrounding cells’ activity, collagen gene expression, and tenogenic differentiation. Moreover, extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) would not only promote activity of ACL remnant cells, but also enhance their paracrine regulation of surrounding cells. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and expression levels of Collagen-I (COL-I) A1, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were compared between ACL remnant cells untreated and treated with ESW (0.15 mJ/mm2, 1,000 impulses, 4 Hz). To evaluate the subsequent effects on the surrounding cells, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs)’ viability, proliferation, migration, and levels of Type I Collagen, Type III Collagen, and tenogenic gene (Aims
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Previously, we reported the improved transfection efficiency of a plasmid DNA-chitosan (pDNA-CS) complex using a phosphorylatable nuclear localization signal-linked nucleic kinase substrate short peptide (pNNS) conjugated to chitosan (pNNS-CS). This study investigated the effects of pNNS-CS-mediated miR-140 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-1Ra) gene transfection both in rabbit chondrocytes and a cartilage defect model. The pBudCE4.1-miR-140, pBudCE4.1-IL-1Ra, and negative control pBudCE4.1 plasmids were constructed and combined with pNNS-CS to form pDNA/pNNS-CS complexes. These complexes were transfected into chondrocytes or injected into the knee joint cavity.Objectives
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A balanced inflammatory response is important for successful fracture healing. The response of osteoporotic fracture healing is deranged and an altered inflammatory response can be one underlying cause. The objectives of this review were to compare the inflammatory responses between normal and osteoporotic fractures and to examine the potential effects on different healing outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted with relevant keywords in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science independently. Original preclinical studies and clinical studies involving the investigation of inflammatory response in fracture healing in ovariectomized (OVX) animals or osteoporotic/elderly patients with available full text and written in English were included. In total, 14 articles were selected. Various inflammatory factors were reported; of those tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 are two commonly studied markers. Preclinical studies showed that OVX animals generally demonstrated higher systemic inflammatory response and poorer healing outcomes compared to normal controls (SHAM). However, it is inconclusive if the local inflammatory response is higher or lower in OVX animals. As for clinical studies, they mainly examine the temporal changes of the inflammatory stage or perform comparison between osteoporotic/fragility fracture patients and normal subjects without fracture. Our review of these studies emphasizes the lack of understanding that inflammation plays in the altered fracture healing response of osteoporotic/elderly patients. Taken together, it is clear that additional studies, preclinical and clinical, are required to dissect the regulatory role of inflammatory response in osteoporotic fracture healing. Cite this article:
Adult mice lacking the transcription factor NFAT1 exhibit osteoarthritis (OA). The precise molecular mechanism for NFAT1 deficiency-induced osteoarthritic cartilage degradation remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate if NFAT1 protects articular cartilage (AC) against OA by directly regulating the transcription of specific catabolic and anabolic genes in articular chondrocytes. Through a combined approach of gene expression analysis and web-based searching of NFAT1 binding sequences, 25 candidate target genes that displayed aberrant expression in Objectives
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As one of the heat-stable enterotoxins, Rat MSCs were used to test the effects of SEC2 on their proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potentials. A rat femoral fracture model was used to examine the effect of local administration of SEC2 on fracture healing using radiographic analyses, micro-CT analyses, biomechanical testing, and histological analyses.Objectives
Materials and Methods
To assess the structure and extracellular matrix molecule expression of osteogenic cell sheets created via culture in medium with both dexamethasone (Dex) and ascorbic acid phosphate (AscP) compared either Dex or AscP alone. Osteogenic cell sheets were prepared by culturing rat bone marrow stromal cells in a minimal essential medium (MEM), MEM with AscP, MEM with Dex, and MEM with Dex and AscP (Dex/AscP). The cell number and messenger (m)RNA expression were assessed Objectives
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The role of mechanical stress and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is important in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly known. In this study, TGF-β1 from osteoclasts and knee joints were analyzed using a co-cultured cell model and an OA rat model, respectively. Five patients with a femoral neck fracture (four female and one male, mean 73.4 years (68 to 79)) were recruited between January 2015 and December 2015. Results showed that TGF-β1 was significantly upregulated in osteoclasts by cyclic loading in a time- and dose-dependent mode. The osteoclasts were subjected to cyclic loading before being co-cultured with chondrocytes for 24 hours.Objectives
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