Abstract
BackgroundThe osteoarthritis (OA) treatment in humans and in animals is a major orthopaedic challenge because there is not an ideal drug for preserving the joint structure and function. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the treatment with oral glucosamine and risedronate alone or in combination on articular cartilage, synovial membrane and subchondral bone in an experimental rabbit model of OA. Osteoarthritis was surgically induced on one knee of 32 New Zealand White rabbits using the contralateral as healthy controls. Three weeks later treatments were started and lasted 8 weeks. Animal were divided in four groups of oral treatment: the first group received only saline, the second 21.5 mg/kg/day of glucosamine sulfate, the third 0.07 mg/kg/day of risedronate; and the fourth group both drugs simultaneously at the same dosages. Following sacrifice femurs were removed and osteochondral cylinders and synovial membrane were obtained for its histological and micro-CT evaluation.ResultsSample analysis revealed that the model induced osteoarthritic changes in operated knees. OA placebo group showed a significant increase in cartilage thickness respect to the control and inflammatory changes in synovial membrane; whereas subchondral bone structure and volumetric bone mineral density remained unchanged. All the treated animals showed an improvement of the cartilage swelling independent of the drug used. Treatment with glucosamine alone seemed to have no effect in the progression of cartilage pathology while risedronate treatment had better results in superficial fibrillation and in resolving the inflammatory changes of the tissues, as well as modifying the orientation of trabecular lattice. The combination of both compounds seemed to have additive effects showing better results than those treated with only one drug.ConclusionsThe results of this animal study suggested that glucosamine sulfate and risedronate treatment alone or in combination may be able to stop cartilage swelling. The risedronate treatment could partially stop the fibrillation and the inflammation of synovial membrane as well as modify the orientation of trabeculae in healthy and in osteoarthritic knees.
Highlights
The osteoarthritis (OA) treatment in humans and in animals is a major orthopaedic challenge because there is not an ideal drug for preserving the joint structure and function
After three weeks of quarantine OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and partial medial meniscectomy on one knee randomly chosen using the contralateral joint as healthy control
Histology quantitative results No parameters measured in cartilage (Figure 3) and in subchondral bone showed significant differences; appears to be a little tendency to thickening of the cartilage in the OA group respect to controls standing the results of the three OA treatment groups (OA + GS, OA + RS, OA + GS&RS) in between OA and normal (Figure 4)
Summary
The osteoarthritis (OA) treatment in humans and in animals is a major orthopaedic challenge because there is not an ideal drug for preserving the joint structure and function. Among the wide range of pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis (OA), the disease-modifying drugs, called SYSADOA (Symptomatic Slow Action Drugs for Osteoarthritis), have been shown to relieve the symptoms and progression of OA The beginning of their action is slow, usually from the sixth week, and their effect continues over a period of time after stopping treatment. Glucosamine is an endogenous aminomonosaccharide synthesized by chondrocytes from glucose and basic precursor of the structure of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, which form part of the non-cellular connective tissue This component is primarily responsible for the mechanical function of cartilage. There are several molecular presentations for glucosamine preparations, the results are more favourable for glucosamine sulfate than for glucosamine hydrochloride [7]
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