An integral biochemical analysis of the main constituents of articular cartilage, subchondral and trabecular bone.
Abstract: In articular joints, the forces generated by locomotion are absorbed by the whole of cartilage, subchondral bone and underlying trabecular bone. The objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that regional differences in joint loading are related to clear and interrelated differences in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of all three weight-bearing constituents. Methods: Cartilage, subchondral- and trabecular bone samples from two differently loaded sites (site 1, dorsal joint margin; site 2, central area) of the proximal articular surface of 30 macroscopically normal equine first phalanxes were collected. Collagen content, cross-linking (pentosidine, hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP), lysylpyridinoline (LP)) hydroxylation, and denaturation, as well as glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content were measured in all three tissues. In addition, bone mineral density (BMD), the percentage of ash and the mineral composition (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus) were determined in the bony samples. Results: For pentosidine cross-links there was an expected correlation with age. Denatured collagen content was significantly higher in cartilage at site 1 than at site 2 and was higher in trabecular bone compared to subchondral bone, with no site differences. There were significant site differences in hydroxylysine (Hyl) concentration and HP cross-links in cartilage that were paralleled in one or both of the bony layers. In subchondral bone there was a positive correlation between total (HP+LP) cross-links and Ca content. For Ca and other minerals there were corresponding site differences in both bony layers. Conclusions: It is concluded that there are distinct differences in distribution of the major biochemical components over both sites in all three layers. These differences show similar patterns in cartilage, subchondral bone and trabecular bone, stressing the functional unity of these tissues. Overall, differences could be interpreted as adaptations to a considerably higher cumulative loading over time at site 2, requiring stiffer tissue. Turnover is higher in trabecular bone than in subchondral bone. In cartilage, the dorsal site 1 appears to suffer more tissue damage.
Publication Date: 2004-08-25 PubMed ID: 15325642DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2004.05.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This study explores how regional differences in joint loading, or force applied to articular joints during movement, correspond to compositional differences in the weight-bearing constituents of said joints: cartilage, subchondral bone, and trabecular bone. Several important aspects of these materials were examined, including collagen content and denaturation, cross-linking attributes, and DNA content, revealing key differences related to structure and location, and indicating adaptive behavior in response to long-term loading variance.
Methodology
- The researchers collected samples of cartilage, subchondral and trabecular bone from two distinct sites on the proximal articular surface of 30 equine first phalanxes. These sites were selected for their different load-bearing characteristics (site 1, the dorsal joint margin, and site 2, the central area).
- For each of the tissue types and locations, the team measured collagen content and analysed its denaturation and cross-linking properties using markers pentosidine, hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP), and lysylpyridinoline (LP). They also examined hydroxylation levels, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and DNA content in each tissue.
- For the bony samples, they assessed bone mineral density (BMD), total ash percentage, and the mineral composition, such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus content.
Results
- There was a correlation between the cases of pentosidine cross-links and age, as expected from previous research. Denatured collagen content was significantly higher in cartilage at site 1 compared to site 2, and was greater in trabecular bone than subchondral bone, with no significant differences between sites in the bone samples.
- There were distinct site differences in hydroxylysine (Hyl) concentration and HP cross-links in cartilage that were mirrored in one or both of the bony layers.
- Subchondral bone displayed a positive correlation between the total (HP+LP) cross-links and calcium content. Calcium and other minerals displayed corresponding site differences in both the subchondral and trabecular bone samples.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that significant differences exist in the distribution of the primary biochemical components across both sites in all three tissue layers. These differences display similar pattern shifts in the cartilage, subchondral bone, and trabecular bone, demonstrating the functional unity of these tissues.
- Overall, these variations can be interpreted as the tissues’ adaptive response to historically higher cumulative loading at site 2, indicating a necessity for stiffer tissue in these areas. Additionally, turnover is higher in the trabecular bone compared to the subchondral bone. In the cartilage, site 1 appeared to experience more tissue damage, suggesting a possible anatomical preference given to the central area (site 2).
Cite This Article
APA
van der Harst MR, Brama PA, van de Lest CH, Kiers GH, DeGroot J, van Weeren PR.
(2004).
An integral biochemical analysis of the main constituents of articular cartilage, subchondral and trabecular bone.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 12(9), 752-761.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2004.05.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. m.r.vanderharst@vet.uu.nl
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Bone Density
- Bone Remodeling
- Bone and Bones / chemistry
- Bone and Bones / metabolism
- Cartilage, Articular / chemistry
- Collagen / analysis
- Horses / metabolism
- Minerals / analysis
Citations
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