Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study is to compare the effects of exercise therapy with chondroitin sulfate (CS) therapy in an experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsTwenty-one New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (N group, n = 3); OA control group (C group, n = 6); OA plus medication group (CS group, n = 6); and OA plus exercise group (E group, n = 6). Four weeks after modeling, the rabbits were subjected to exercise (artificial, 30 min/time, 4 times/week) or medicated with CS (2% CS, 0.3 ml/time, once/week) for 4 weeks. Histopathological changes in treated joints were examined after staining. X-ray and scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the different therapies by examining the surfaces and joint spaces of the articular cartilage. RT-qPCR was used to assess chondrogenic gene expression including Col2, Col10, mmp-13, il-1β, adamats-5, and acan in the experimental groups.ResultsHistology showed both treatment groups resulted in cartilage that was in good condition, with increased numbers of chondrocytes, and the results of X-ray and scanning electron microscopy showed the therapeutic effect of exercise therapy is equivalent to CS therapy, surface articular cartilage was flat, and the of cartilage layer was thinning. All treated groups induced the expression of Col10 and Col2 and decreased expression of mmp-13, il-1β, and adamats-5 compared with the control groups. The expression of acan was upregulated in the E group and downregulated in the CS group. Furthermore, expression of Col10 was higher and il-1β was lower in the exercise group compared to that of the CS group.ConclusionThese results indicate that exercise has a positive effect on OA compare with CS, and it also supplies reference for the movement mode to improve function.
Highlights
The aim of the study is to compare the effects of exercise therapy with chondroitin sulfate (CS) therapy in an experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA)
Obvious morphological differences were observed in the CS group and exercise group compared to the controls
It can be seen from the toluidine blue staining that the cartilage surface was smooth in the CS and E groups with partial destaining and tidal lines that were clear compared with those of the control group
Summary
The aim of the study is to compare the effects of exercise therapy with chondroitin sulfate (CS) therapy in an experimental model of osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common chronic conditions, is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degeneration and erosion, fibrosis, and osteophyte formation, leading to pain and disability in the worst cases [1]. There are many ways to treat OA including slimming in overweight patients, medication, non-pharmacological interventions, and surgery. It is generally believed that exercise can reduce joint pain and improve joint function. Latham and Liu suggest exercise can strengthen the quadriceps [12], which effectively reduces lower limb pain and improve joint function [13], and Bennell et al believe the key to the treatment of OA is restoring joint function [14, 15]. In 2010, the International Society of OA pointed out that CS reduces the symptoms of OA and modifies the structure of the cartilage after prolonged injection, so that it is more advantageous in the therapy of OA [19]
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