In vivo studies of cartilage regeneration after damage induced by catabolin/interleukin-1
Article Abstract:
Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation and tissue damage in the joints. Joints are made of cartilage, and specific cartilage proteins called proteoglycans play an important role in keeping the cartilage strong and healthy. However, when inflammation occurs in the joint, as in arthritis, proteins (called cytokines) are made that can damage the cartilage. In developing drugs for the treatment of arthritis (anti-arthritic agents) it is important to understand exactly what happens when the joint cartilage is exposed to cytokines. In order to investigate this, rabbit knee joints were injected with a mixture of cytokines (catabolin/interleukin-1), and changes in the joint cartilage were determined. After three injections, the cartilage in the knee joints was damaged, there was a large loss of cartilage proteoglycan, and the cartilage stopped making proteins necessary for maintaining normal joint structure. Over the next three to four weeks, the cartilage cells (called chondrocytes) began to make more cartilage proteins and the joint began to repair itself. These findings indicate that drugs for the treatment of arthritis should be designed to prevent the production of cytokines that can damage cartilage tissue, and should not interfere with the natural repair processes that take place within the joint cartilage. Drugs that reduce inflammation and enhance the repair process, by stimulating the cartilage cells, will be useful for treating arthritis. Animal models of joint cartilage damage and repair will provide a useful system for determining how these new drugs will affect joint cartilage and if they will be useful for treating arthritis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1991
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Magnesium whitlockite deposition in articular cartilage: a study of 80 specimens from 70 patients
Article Abstract:
A type of calcium phosphate known as magnesium whitlockite may appear in the body as crystal deposits. Researchers analyzed joint cartilage from 70 patients of all ages for the presence of crystal deposits of magnesium whitlockite. Transmission electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis were used to examine the sections of tissue. Tissues from the head of the femur, or thigh bone, showed the highest concentration of magnesium whitlockite crystals. The load bearing stresses on the femoral head may explain why more crystal deposits are found at that site. The crystals may possibly form in various parts of the body and then move toward the joint surface in response to stress. The crystal deposits were sometimes found in bands, indicating movement. This study may show that crystal deposits aggravate joint disease.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1995
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Changes in articular cartilage in experimentally induced patellar subluxation
Article Abstract:
The partial dislocation of the kneecap that can result in chondromalacia patella may not be associated with a progression to osteoarthritis. This condition is characterized by knee pain and instability. Fifty-two young rabbits had one kneecap surgically displaced and were followed for 120 weeks. Most of the changes in the cartilage of the displaced kneecap when compared to the other knee were mild and non-progressive and occurred in the intermediate zone of the cartilage. The superficial zone of the cartilage appeared to recover after initial surgery and signs of osteoarthritis were rarely seen.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1997
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