Effect of exercise on the proteoglycan metabolism of articular cartilage in growing foals.
Abstract: In this study, the effect of different exercise regimens on proteoglycan metabolism of articular cartilage was examined in 43 newborn foals randomly divided into 3 groups: a) box-rest, b) box-rest with training and c) free pasture exercise. They were subjected to these exercise regimens from ages 1 week to 5 months and at 5 months, 24 foals (8 from each group) were sacrificed to assess short-term exercise effects. The remaining 19 foals were subjected to the same regimen of light exercise for an additional 6 months before being sacrificed to evaluate possible long-term effects. Articular cartilage explants were cultured and proteoglycan synthesis, both ex vivo and after 4 days of serum stimulation, release of endogenous and newly synthesised proteoglycans, and DNA- and GAG contents were measured to determine the metabolic state of the cartilage. Cartilage metabolic parameters in the box-rest group at 5 months indicated a retardation in development of the cartilage but, after an additional 6 months, this retardation had almost completely disappeared. The training regimen induced an increase in proteoglycan synthesis at 5 months in cartilage that was, however, accompanied by an increase in proteoglycan release. In the training group at the long-term, the ability of cartilage to increase proteoglycan synthesis when stimulated was severely reduced. We consider this extra proteoglycan synthesis capacity of great importance to repair small injuries and hence as essential to prevent an early onset of degenerative disorders such as osteoarthritis. Therefore, although extrapolation of in vitro data to the in vivo situation always should be done with the utmost care, it is concluded that pasture exercise is best for the development of healthy cartilage resistant to injury and other exercise protocols may carry harmful long-term effects.
Publication Date: 2000-09-22 PubMed ID: 10999662DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05315.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
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This research article investigates how different exercise regimens impact proteoglycan metabolism in the articular cartilage of young foals. The study concludes that pasture exercise is most beneficial for the development of healthy, injury-resistant cartilage, while other exercise protocols may have potential harmful long-term effects.
Study Design and Execution
The study involved 43 newborn foals, divided into three groups, each subject to different exercise regimes: box-rest, box-rest with training, and free pasture exercise. These regimes were implemented from when they were one week old until they were five months old.
- After this five-month period, eight foals from each group were euthanized to examine the immediate effects of their respective exercise protocols.
- The remaining 19 foals received a uniform light exercise routine for an additional six months, allowing veterinary scientists to investigate possible long-term effects of their initial five-month training programs.
Metabolic Evaluation of Cartilage
Scientists used several measurements to assess the metabolic health of the foals’ articular cartilage:
- They cultivated explants of the cartilage, observing spontaneous proteoglycan synthesis and its development after four days of serum stimulation.
- They measured the release of both endogenous and newly synthesized proteoglycans.
- They quantified the DNA and GAG (glycosaminoglycans) contents to further determine the metabolic state of the cartilage.
Results and Interpretation
The results showed differences in the development and response of the cartilage to the different exercise regimens:
- After five months, the box-rest group showed signs of underdeveloped cartilage. However, this appeared to largely correct itself after the additional six months of light exercise.
- The training regimen appeared to initially boost proteoglycan synthesis in the cartilage after five months, but this was accompanied by an increase in proteoglycan release.
- Long-term findings in the training group showed a significant decrease in the cartilage’s ability to increase proteoglycan synthesis when stimulated.
Conclusions
The authors conclude that the ability to boost proteoglycan synthesis is vital to repair minor cartilage damage and to prevent degenerative disorders like osteoarthritis. Based on their in vitro findings, they cautiously infer that pasture exercise is best for the healthy development of foal cartilage, while other exercise protocols might pose harmful long-term effects. They stress the need for careful extrapolation of in vitro findings to in vivo conditions.
Cite This Article
APA
van den Hoogen BM, van den Lest CH, van Weeren PR, van Golde LM, Barneveld A.
(2000).
Effect of exercise on the proteoglycan metabolism of articular cartilage in growing foals.
Equine Vet J Suppl(31), 62-66.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb05315.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Histology, Graduate School of Animal Health, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Cartilage, Articular / growth & development
- Cartilage, Articular / metabolism
- DNA / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / metabolism
- Male
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Proteoglycans / biosynthesis
- Proteoglycans / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Mienaltowski MJ, Huang L, Stromberg AJ, MacLeod JN. Differential gene expression associated with postnatal equine articular cartilage maturation. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2008 Nov 5;9:149.
- Jones G, Bennell K, Cicuttini FM. Effect of physical activity on cartilage development in healthy kids. Br J Sports Med 2003;37(5):382-3.
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