Comparative tribology II-Measurable biphasic tissue properties have predictable impacts on cartilage rehydration and lubricity.
Abstract: Healthy articular cartilage supports load bearing and frictional properties unmatched among biological tissues and man-made bearing materials. Balancing fluid exudation and recovery under loaded and articulated conditions is essential to the tissue's biological and mechanical longevity. Our prior tribological investigations, which leveraged the convergent stationary contact area (cSCA) configuration, revealed that sliding alone can modulate cartilage interstitial fluid pressurization and the recovery and maintenance of lubrication under load through a mechanism termed 'tribological rehydration.' Our recent comparative assessment of tribological rehydration revealed remarkably consistent sliding speed-dependent fluid recovery and lubrication behaviors across femoral condyle cartilage from five mammalian species (equine/horse, bovine/cow, porcine/pig, ovine/sheep, and caprine/goat). In the present study, we identified and characterized key predictive relationships among tissue properties, sliding-induced tribological rehydration, and the modulation/recovery of lubrication within healthy articular cartilage. Using correlational analysis, we linked observed speed-dependent tribological rehydration behaviors to cartilage's geometry and biphasic properties (tensile and compressive moduli, and permeability). Together, these findings demonstrate that easily measurable biphasic tissue characteristics (e.g., bulk tissue material properties, compressive strain magnitude, and strain rates) can be used to predict cartilage's rehydration and lubricating abilities, and ultimately its function in vivo. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: In healthy cartilage, articulation recovers fluid lost to static loading thereby sustaining tissue lubricity. Osteoarthritis causes changes to cartilage composition, stiffness, and permeability associated with faster fluid exudation and presumably poorer frictional outcomes. Yet, the relationship between mechanical properties and fluid recovery during articulation/sliding remains unclear. Through innovative, high-speed benchtop sliding and indentation experiments, we found that cartilage's tissue properties regulate its exudation/hydration under slow sliding speeds but have minimal effect at high sliding speeds. In fact, cartilage rehydration appears insensitive to permeability and stiffness under high fluid load support conditions. This new understanding of the balance of cartilage exudation and rehydration during activity, based upon comparative tribology studies, may improve prevention and rehabilitation strategies for joint injuries and osteoarthritis.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2021-10-30 PubMed ID: 34728427DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.10.049Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The research investigates the relationship between cartilage’s physical characteristics, its ability to retain fluid when under pressure, and how this impacts its function as a natural lubricant. It suggests that measurable tissue properties can predict the behavior of cartilage, especially under slow motion, providing insights into potential prevention and rehabilitation strategies for joint injuries and osteoarthritis.
Overview of the Study
- The study is a follow-up to prior investigations on tribology—the science of friction, wear, and lubrication—by the same team. This time it focuses on the ability of cartilage to rehydrate itself and maintain lubrication under load, a characteristic referred to as ‘tribological rehydration.’
- The research further tested this behavior across cartilage from five mammalian species. It also sought to link their findings to measurable biophysical properties of cartilage (specifically, tensile and compressive moduli, and permeability).
Key Findings of the Study
- The researchers were able to create a predictive relationship between tissue properties, tribological rehydration, and the recovery and maintenance of cartilage lubrication.
- Through correlational analysis, they observed that sliding speed-dependent fluid recovery is linked to the cartilage’s geometry and biphasic properties.
- The researchers discovered that cartilage properties can influence fluid exudation/hydration during slow sliding speeds, but the effect is minimal during high speeds. Furthermore, rehydration seems to be unaffected by permeability and stiffness during high fluid load support conditions.
Significance and Implications
- The research findings hold relevance for understanding the behavior of cartilage under static loads and articulation. This understanding, specifically the impact of speed on fluid recovery and lubricating abilities, could significantly influence prevention and rehabilitation strategies for joint injuries and osteoarthritis.
- It is important because osteoarthritis causes changes to cartilage’s composition, stiffness, and permeability, presumably leading to faster fluid loss and poorer friction outcomes.
- The study lays the groundwork for further research into how the mechanical properties of cartilage and the mechanical conditions it is exposed to interact to influence its performance.
Cite This Article
APA
Kupratis ME, Gure AE, Benson JM, Ortved KF, Burris DL, Price C.
(2021).
Comparative tribology II-Measurable biphasic tissue properties have predictable impacts on cartilage rehydration and lubricity.
Acta Biomater, 138, 375-389.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.10.049 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
- Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA; Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA. Electronic address: cprice@udel.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cartilage, Articular
- Cattle
- Fluid Therapy
- Friction
- Goats
- Horses
- Lubrication
- Sheep
- Stress, Mechanical
- Swine
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Dou H, Wang S, Hu J, Song J, Zhang C, Wang J, Xiao L. Osteoarthritis models: From animals to tissue engineering.. J Tissue Eng 2023 Jan-Dec;14:20417314231172584.
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