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Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.13960

Composition, architecture and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage in differently loaded areas of the equine stifle.

Abstract: Strategies for articular cartilage repair need to take into account topographical differences in tissue composition and architecture to achieve durable functional outcome. These have not yet been investigated in the equine stifle. Objective: To analyse the biochemical composition and architecture of three differently loaded areas of the equine stifle. We hypothesise that site differences correlate with the biomechanical characteristics of the cartilage. Methods: Ex vivo study. Methods: Thirty osteochondral plugs per location were harvested from the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR), the distal intertrochlear groove (DITG) and the medial femoral condyle (MFC). These underwent biochemical, biomechanical and structural analysis. A linear mixed model with location as a fixed factor and horse as a random factor was applied, followed by pair-wise comparisons of estimated means with false discovery rate correction, to test for differences between locations. Correlations between biochemical and biomechanical parameters were tested using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: Glycosaminoglycan content was different between all sites (estimated mean [95% confidence interval (CI)] for LTR 75.4 [64.5, 88.2], for intercondylar notch (ICN) 37.3 [31.9, 43.6], for MFC 93.7 [80.1109.6] μg/mg dry weight), as were equilibrium modulus (LTR2.20 [1.96, 2.46], ICN0.48 [0.37, 0.6], MFC1.36 [1.17, 1.56] MPa), dynamic modulus (LTR7.33 [6.54, 8.17], ICN4.38 [3.77, 5.03], MFC5.62 [4.93, 6.36] MPa) and viscosity (LTR7.49 [6.76, 8.26], ICN16.99 [15.88, 18.14], MFC8.7 [7.91,9.5]°). The two weightbearing areas (LTR and MCF) and the non-weightbearing area (ICN) differed in collagen content (LTR 139 [127, 152], ICN176[162, 191], MFC 127[115, 139] μg/mg dry weight), parallelism index and angle of collagen fibres. The strongest correlations were between proteoglycan content and equilibrium modulus (r: 0.642; p: 0.001), dynamic modulus (r: 0.554; p < 0.001) and phase shift (r: -0.675; p < 0.001), and between collagen orientation angle and equilibrium modulus (r: -0.612; p < 0.001), dynamic modulus (r: -0.424; p < 0.001) and phase shift (r: 0.609; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Only a single sample per location was analysed. Conclusions: There were significant differences in cartilage biochemical composition, biomechanics and architecture between the three differently loaded sites. The biochemical and structural composition correlated with the mechanical characteristics. These differences need to be acknowledged by designing cartilage repair strategies. Unassigned: Les stratégies de réparation du cartilage articulaire doivent tenir compte des différences topographiques en ce qui a trait à la composition et l'architecture des tissues, afin d'obtenir un résultat durable et fonctionnel. Celles-ci n'ont pas encore été étudiées chez le grasset équin. Objective: Analyser la composition biochimique et l'architecture de trois régions du grasset portant une quantité de poids différente. Nous émettons l'hypothèse que les différences entre régions seront corrélées aux caractéristiques biomécaniques du cartilage. TYPE D'ÉTUDE: Étude ex vivo. MÉTHODES: Trente échantillons ostéochondraux par site ont été récoltés à partir de la lèvre latérale de la trochlée fémorale (LTR), le sillon intertrochléaire distal (DITG) et le condyle fémoral médial (MFC). Ceux-ci ont été soumis à des tests biochimiques, biomécaniques et une analyse structurelle. Un modèle linéaire mixte avec localisation comme facteur fixe et cheval comme facteur randomisé a été appliqué. Puis, ont suivi des comparaisons par paires de moyennes estimées avec contrôle du taux de fausses découvertes, pour tester les différences entre les divers sites. Les corrélations entre les paramètres biochimiques et biomécaniques ont été testé par le coefficient de corrélation Spearman. RÉSULTATS: Le contenu en glycosaminoglycans était différent à chacun des sites (moyenne estimée [95% CI] pour LTR 75.4 [64.5, 88.2], pour ICN 37.3 [31.9, 43.6], pour MFC 93.7[80.1109.6]μg/mg matière sèche), tout comme le module d'équilibre (LTR2.20 [1.96, 2.46], ICN0.48 [0.37, 0.6], MFC1.36 [1.17, 1.56] MPa), le module dynamique (LTR7.33 [6.54, 8.17], ICN4.38[3.77, 5.03], MFC5.62[4.93, 6.36] MPa) et la viscosité (LTR7.49[6.76, 8.26], ICN16.99 [15.88, 18.14], MFC8.7 [7.91, 9.5]°). Les deux régions portant du poids (LTR et MFC) et la région ne supportant pas de poids (ICN) diffèrent par rapport à leur contenu en collagène (LTR 139 [127152], ICN176 [162191], MFC 127 [115139] μg/mg matière sèche), à l'index de parallélisle et à l'angle des fibres de collagène. Les corrélations les plus fortes étaient entre le contenu en protéoglycans et le module d'équilibre (r: 0.642; p: 0.001), le module dynamique (r: 0.554; p < 0.001) et le changement de phase (r:−0.675; p < 0.001), et entre l'angle d'orientation du collagène et le module d'équilibre (r:−0.612; p < 0.001), le module dynamique (r:−0.424; p < 0.001) et le changement de phase (r: 0.609;p:<0.001). Unassigned: Seulement un échantillon par site a été soumis aux analyses. Conclusions: Il existe des différences significatives dans la composition biochimique, biomécanique et l'architecture du cartilage entre les trois sites échantillonnés. La composition biochimique et structurelle corrèle avec les caractéristiques mécaniques. Ces différences doivent être prises en compte lors de la création de stratégies de réparation du cartilage.
© 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-06-27 PubMed ID: 37376723DOI: 10.1111/evj.13960Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research investigates the biochemical composition and structure of cartilage in different areas of the equine stifle (a joint in the horse’s hind leg), and how these factors correspond with the mechanical characteristics of the cartilage depending on the weight load. Findings reveal significant variations in the cartilage’s makeup, biomechanics, and architecture across the various sites that bear differing weight. These findings are crucial for determining the most effective strategies for cartilage repair.

Methodology

  • The study used an ex vivo approach, studying tissues outside of an organism.
  • Three areas from the horse’s stifle were selected due to their differences in weight loading: the lateral trochlear ridge (LTR), the distal intertrochlear groove (DITG), and the medial femoral condyle (MFC).
  • From each of these locations, 30 osteochondral plugs (samples that contain both bone and cartilage) were collected and subjected to biomechanical, biochemical, and structural analyses.
  • A statistical linear mixed model method was used to test for differences between the sites, looking closely at the location and individual differences between horses.
  • The researchers also used the Spearman correlation coefficient to understand any correlations between the biochemical and biomechanical factors studied.

Key Findings

  • The content of glycosaminoglycan, a vital component of cartilage, varied across the different sites.
  • Equilibrium modulus, dynamic modulus and viscosity, all mechanical properties of the cartilage, varied between the sites as well.
  • The content of collagen, another crucial component of cartilage, as well as the parallelism index and angle of collagen fibers were found to be different in the two weight-bearing areas (LTR and MFC) and in the non-weight-bearing area (ICN).
  • Notably, the strongest correlations observed were between proteoglycan content (a type of glycosaminoglycan) and various mechanical characteristics such as the equilibrium modulus, dynamic modulus, and phase shift.
  • Similarly, the orientation angle of collagen in the cartilage also showed strong correlations with the aforementioned mechanical characteristics.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study found considerable differences in the biochemistry, biomechanics, and structure of cartilage between the three different sites in the equine stifle.
  • The biochemical and structural properties of the cartilage were closely linked to its biomechanical characteristics.
  • These findings are critical for designing effective cartilage repair strategies, given the need to consider the site-specific properties of the cartilage.

Cite This Article

APA
Fugazzola M, Nissinen MT, Jäntti J, Tuppurainen J, Plomp S, Te Moller N, Mäkelä JTA, van Weeren R. (2023). Composition, architecture and biomechanical properties of articular cartilage in differently loaded areas of the equine stifle. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13960

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Fugazzola, Maria
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Nissinen, Mikko T
  • Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Jäntti, Jiri
  • Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
  • Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
Tuppurainen, Juuso
  • Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Plomp, Saskia
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Te Moller, Nikae
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Mäkelä, Janne T A
  • Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
  • Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland.
van Weeren, Rene
  • Department of Equine Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Grant Funding

  • 307932 / Instrumentarium Science Foundation, Academy of Finland
  • 5041795 / Kuopio University Hospital

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