FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Osteoarthritis and cartilage2012; 20(6); 572-583; doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2012.02.004

Relationship between cartilage and subchondral bone lesions in repetitive impact trauma-induced equine osteoarthritis.

Abstract: To correlate degenerative changes in cartilage and subchondral bone in the third carpal bone (C3) of Standardbred racehorses with naturally occurring repetitive trauma-induced osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifteen C3, collected from Standardbred horses postmortem, were assessed for cartilage lesions by visual inspection and divided into Control (CO), Early Osteoarthritis (EOA) and Advanced Osteoarthritis (AOA) groups. Two osteochondral cores were harvested from corresponding dorsal sites on each bone and scanned with a micro-computed tomography (CT) instrument. 2D images were assembled into 3D reconstructions that were used to quantify architectural parameters from selected regions of interest, including bone mineral density and bone volume fraction. 2D images, illustrating the most severe lesion per core, were scored for architectural appearance by blinded observers. Thin sections of paraffin-embedded decalcified cores stained with Safranin O-Fast Green, matched to the micro-CT images, were scored using a modified Mankin scoring system. Results: Subchondral bone pits with deep focal areas of porosity were seen more frequently in AOA than EOA but never in CO. Articular cartilage damage was seen in association with a reduction in bone mineral and loss of bone tissue. Histological analyses revealed significant numbers of microcracks in the calcified cartilage of EOA and AOA groups and a progressive increase in the score compared with CO bones. Conclusions: The data reveal corresponding, progressive degenerative changes in articular cartilage and subchondral bone, including striking focal resorptive lesions, in the third carpal bone of racehorses subjected to repetitive, high impact trauma.
Copyright © 2012 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2012-02-15 PubMed ID: 22343573DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2012.02.004Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the connection between degenerative changes in cartilage and the subchondral bone found in the third carpal bone of Standardbred racehorses suffering from trauma-induced osteoarthritis caused by repetitive impact. The study uses a range of investigation methods, including 3D imaging and histological analysis, to propose a progressive, mutually influencing degeneration of cartilage and bone.

Objective and Methodology

  • This study aims to observe and establish connections between degenerative changes in the cartilage and subchondral bone areas of the third carpal bone (C3) in Standardbred racehorses with naturally occurring osteoarthritis, a condition arising from repetitive trauma.
  • Postmortem carpal samples from fifteen horses were visually assessed for cartilage lesions and divided into three groups: CO (Control), EOA (Early Osteoarthritis), and AOA (Advanced Osteoarthritis).
  • The research team conducted extensive analyses on these samples, including the use of a micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner, leading to the creation of 2D and 3D representations of different architectural parameters such as bone mineral density and volume fraction.
  • In addition to this, the study employed histological analysis, using Safranin O-Fast Green staining on paraffin-embedded decalcified cores, for further examination of microcracks and tissue degeneration.

Findings

  • Severe architectural damage, characterized by subchondral bone pits and deep focal areas of porosity, was evident in the AOA group. This kind of damage was scarcely seen in the EOA group and never observed in the CO group.
  • Degenerative changes in the articular cartilage were consistently linked with a decrease in bone mineral and loss of bone tissue. The study presented these changes as a mutually influential progression of degeneration.
  • Substantial numbers of microcracks were found in the calcified cartilage of the EOA and AOA groups when a histological analysis was performed. Microcracks were seen to progressively increase when compared with control bones.

Conclusion

  • The research deduces that repetitive high-impact trauma in racehorses’ third carpal bone results in corresponding and progressive degenerative changes in the articular cartilage and subchondral bone, with significant focal resorptive lesions providing evidence of substantial cartilage and bone damage.

Cite This Article

APA
Lacourt M, Gao C, Li A, Girard C, Beauchamp G, Henderson JE, Laverty S. (2012). Relationship between cartilage and subchondral bone lesions in repetitive impact trauma-induced equine osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 20(6), 572-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2012.02.004

Publication

Osteoarthritis and cartilage
ISSN: 1522-9653
NlmUniqueID: 9305697
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
Pages: 572-583

Researcher Affiliations

Lacourt, M
  • Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, C.P. 5000, Saint-Hyacinthe (QC), J2S 7C6, Canada. MatLacourt@aol.com
Gao, C
    Li, A
      Girard, C
        Beauchamp, G
          Henderson, J E
            Laverty, S

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
              • Calcinosis / pathology
              • Carpus, Animal / diagnostic imaging
              • Carpus, Animal / pathology
              • Cartilage Diseases / diagnostic imaging
              • Cartilage Diseases / pathology
              • Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
              • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
              • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / diagnostic imaging
              • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / pathology
              • Cumulative Trauma Disorders / veterinary
              • Disease Progression
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
              • Osteoarthritis / pathology
              • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
              • Porosity
              • X-Ray Microtomography / methods

              Citations

              This article has been cited 35 times.
              1. Kato Y, Nakasa T, Sumii J, Kanemitsu M, Ishikawa M, Miyaki S, Adachi N. Changes in the Subchondral Bone Affect Pain in the Natural Course of Traumatic Articular Cartilage Defects. Cartilage 2023 Jun;14(2):247-255.
                doi: 10.1177/19476035231154514pubmed: 36788469google scholar: lookup
              2. Ma C, Aitken D, Wu F, Squibb K, Cicuttini F, Jones G. Association between radiographic hand osteoarthritis and bone microarchitecture in a population-based sample. Arthritis Res Ther 2022 Sep 17;24(1):223.
                doi: 10.1186/s13075-022-02907-6pubmed: 36115996google scholar: lookup
              3. Kaspiris A, Chronopoulos E, Vasiliadis E, Khaldi L, Melissaridou D, Iliopoulos ID, Savvidou OD. Sex, but not age and bone mass index positively impact on the development of osteochondral micro-defects and the accompanying cellular alterations during osteoarthritis progression. Chronic Dis Transl Med 2022 Mar;8(1):41-50.
                doi: 10.1002/cdt3.16pubmed: 35620158google scholar: lookup
              4. Haut Donahue TL, Narez GE, Powers M, Dejardin LM, Wei F, Haut RC. A Morphological Study of the Meniscus, Cartilage and Subchondral Bone Following Closed-Joint Traumatic Impact to the Knee. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022;10:835730.
                doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.835730pubmed: 35387294google scholar: lookup
              5. Lee OJ, Koch TG. Steps Toward Standardized In Vitro Assessment of Immunomodulatory Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Before Clinical Application. Stem Cells Dev 2022 Jan;31(1-2):18-25.
                doi: 10.1089/scd.2021.0189pubmed: 34779250google scholar: lookup
              6. Kresakova L, Danko J, Vdoviakova K, Medvecky L, Zert Z, Petrovova E, Varga M, Spakovska T, Pribula J, Gasparek M, Giretova M, Stulajterova R, Kolvek F, Andrejcakova Z, Simaiova V, Kadasi M, Vrabec V, Toth T, Hura V. In Vivo Study of Osteochondral Defect Regeneration Using Innovative Composite Calcium Phosphate Biocement in a Sheep Model. Materials (Basel) 2021 Aug 10;14(16).
                doi: 10.3390/ma14164471pubmed: 34442993google scholar: lookup
              7. Zhang Y, Zhu T, He F, Chen AC, Yang H, Zhu X. Identification of Key Genes and Pathways in Osteoarthritis via Bioinformatic Tools: An Updated Analysis. Cartilage 2021 Dec;13(1_suppl):1457S-1464S.
                doi: 10.1177/19476035211008975pubmed: 33855867google scholar: lookup
              8. Rothschild BM, Wayne Lambert H. Distinguishing between congenital phenomena and traumatic experiences: Osteochondrosis versus osteochondritis. J Orthop 2021 Jan-Feb;23:185-190.
                doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2021.01.006pubmed: 33551611google scholar: lookup
              9. Yang J, Li Y, Liu Y, Zhang Q, Zhang Q, Chen J, Yan X, Yuan X. Role of the SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway in cartilage and subchondral bone in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis induced by overloaded functional orthopedics in rats. J Orthop Surg Res 2020 Aug 14;15(1):330.
                doi: 10.1186/s13018-020-01860-xpubmed: 32795379google scholar: lookup
              10. Lepage SIM, Robson N, Gilmore H, Davis O, Hooper A, St John S, Kamesan V, Gelis P, Carvajal D, Hurtig M, Koch TG. Beyond Cartilage Repair: The Role of the Osteochondral Unit in Joint Health and Disease. Tissue Eng Part B Rev 2019 Apr;25(2):114-125.
                doi: 10.1089/ten.TEB.2018.0122pubmed: 30638141google scholar: lookup
              11. Li X, Sun Y, Zhou Z, Zhang D, Jiao J, Hu M, Hassan CR, Qin YX. Mitigation of Articular Cartilage Degeneration and Subchondral Bone Sclerosis in Osteoarthritis Progression Using Low-Intensity Ultrasound Stimulation. Ultrasound Med Biol 2019 Jan;45(1):148-159.
                doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2018.08.022pubmed: 30322672google scholar: lookup
              12. Ludolphy C, Kahle P, Kierdorf H, Kierdorf U. Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint in the Eastern Atlantic harbour seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) from the German North Sea: a study of the lesions seen in dry bone. BMC Vet Res 2018 May 2;14(1):150.
                doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1473-5pubmed: 29716601google scholar: lookup
              13. Martig S, Hitchens PL, Stevenson MA, Whitton RC. Subchondral bone morphology in the metacarpus of racehorses in training changes with distance from the articular surface but not with age. J Anat 2018 Jun;232(6):919-930.
                doi: 10.1111/joa.12794pubmed: 29446086google scholar: lookup
              14. Goldring SR, Goldring MB. Changes in the osteochondral unit during osteoarthritis: structure, function and cartilage-bone crosstalk. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2016 Nov;12(11):632-644.
                doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2016.148pubmed: 27652499google scholar: lookup
              15. Pascual-Garrido C, Angeline ME, Ma R, Chahla J, Voigt C, Deng XH, Nguyen J, Warren RF, Rodeo SA. Low Levels of Vitamin D have a Deleterious Effect on the Articular Cartilage in a Rat Model. HSS J 2016 Jul;12(2):150-7.
                doi: 10.1007/s11420-016-9492-xpubmed: 27385944google scholar: lookup
              16. Smith AD, Morton AJ, Winter MD, Colahan PT, Ghivizzani S, Brown MP, Hernandez JA, Nickerson DM. MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SCORING OF AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL OF POST-TRAUMATIC OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE EQUINE CARPUS. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2016 Sep;57(5):502-14.
                doi: 10.1111/vru.12369pubmed: 27198611google scholar: lookup
              17. Wu G, Zhu S, Sun X, Hu J. Subchondral bone changes and chondrogenic capacity of progenitor cells from subchondral bone in the collagenase-induced temporomandibular joints osteoarthritis rabbit model. Int J Clin Exp Pathol 2015;8(9):9782-9.
                pubmed: 26617688
              18. Laverty S, Lacourt M, Gao C, Henderson JE, Boyde A. High density infill in cracks and protrusions from the articular calcified cartilage in osteoarthritis in standardbred horse carpal bones. Int J Mol Sci 2015 Apr 28;16(5):9600-11.
                doi: 10.3390/ijms16059600pubmed: 25927581google scholar: lookup
              19. Gómez R, Villalvilla A, Largo R, Gualillo O, Herrero-Beaumont G. TLR4 signalling in osteoarthritis--finding targets for candidate DMOADs. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2015 Mar;11(3):159-70.
                doi: 10.1038/nrrheum.2014.209pubmed: 25512010google scholar: lookup
              20. Zhang W, Lian Q, Li D, Wang K, Hao D, Bian W, He J, Jin Z. Cartilage repair and subchondral bone migration using 3D printing osteochondral composites: a one-year-period study in rabbit trochlea. Biomed Res Int 2014;2014:746138.
                doi: 10.1155/2014/746138pubmed: 25177697google scholar: lookup
              21. Boyde A, Davis GR, Mills D, Zikmund T, Cox TM, Adams VL, Niker A, Wilson PJ, Dillon JP, Ranganath LR, Jeffery N, Jarvis JC, Gallagher JA. On fragmenting, densely mineralised acellular protrusions into articular cartilage and their possible role in osteoarthritis. J Anat 2014 Oct;225(4):436-46.
                doi: 10.1111/joa.12226pubmed: 25132002google scholar: lookup
              22. Kim MC, Lee SW, Ryu DY, Cui FJ, Bhak J, Kim Y. Identification and characterization of microRNAs in normal equine tissues by Next Generation Sequencing. PLoS One 2014;9(4):e93662.
                doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093662pubmed: 24695583google scholar: lookup
              23. Jain NX, Barr-Gillespie AE, Clark BD, Kietrys DM, Wade CK, Litvin J, Popoff SN, Barbe MF. Bone loss from high repetitive high force loading is prevented by ibuprofen treatment. J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2014 Mar;14(1):78-94.
                pubmed: 24583543
              24. Barbe MF, Gallagher S, Massicotte VS, Tytell M, Popoff SN, Barr-Gillespie AE. The interaction of force and repetition on musculoskeletal and neural tissue responses and sensorimotor behavior in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2013 Oct 25;14:303.
                doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-303pubmed: 24156755google scholar: lookup
              25. Crema MD, Felson DT, Roemer FW, Wang K, Marra MD, Nevitt MC, Lynch JA, Torner J, Lewis CE, Guermazi A. Prevalent cartilage damage and cartilage loss over time are associated with incident bone marrow lesions in the tibiofemoral compartments: the MOST study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2013 Feb;21(2):306-13.
                doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2012.11.005pubmed: 23178289google scholar: lookup
              26. Zhang J, Hu W, Li Y, Kang F, Yao X, Li J, Dong S. MAGI1 attenuates osteoarthritis by regulating osteoclast fusion in subchondral bone through the RhoA-ROCK1 signaling pathway. J Orthop Translat 2025 May;52:167-181.
                doi: 10.1016/j.jot.2025.04.007pubmed: 40322041google scholar: lookup
              27. Suyatno A, Nurfinti WO, Kusuma CPA, Pratama YA, Ardianto C, Samirah Samirah, Rahadiansyah E, Khotib J, Budiatin AS. Effectiveness of Bilayer Scaffold Containing Chitosan/Gelatin/Diclofenac and Bovine Hydroxyapatite on Cartilage/Subchondral Regeneration in Rabbit Joint Defect Models. Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci 2024;2024:6987676.
                doi: 10.1155/2024/6987676pubmed: 39364298google scholar: lookup
              28. Dubuc J, Schneider MJ, Dubuc V, Richard H, Pinsard M, Bancelin S, Legare F, Girard C, Laverty S. Degradation of Proteoglycans and Collagen in Equine Meniscal Tissues. Int J Mol Sci 2024 Jun 11;25(12).
                doi: 10.3390/ijms25126439pubmed: 38928148google scholar: lookup
              29. Ducrocq M, Kamus L, Richard H, Beauchamp G, Janvier V, Laverty S. Micro-computed tomography reveals high-density mineralised protrusions and microstructural lesions in equine stifle joint articular cartilage. Equine Vet J 2025 Jan;57(1):203-216.
                doi: 10.1111/evj.14100pubmed: 38720453google scholar: lookup
              30. Yokota S, Ishizu H, Miyazaki T, Takahashi D, Iwasaki N, Shimizu T. Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, and Subchondral Insufficiency Fracture: Recent Insights. Biomedicines 2024 Apr 11;12(4).
                doi: 10.3390/biomedicines12040843pubmed: 38672197google scholar: lookup
              31. Lin ST, Foote AK, Bolas NM, Peter VG, Pokora R, Patrick H, Sargan DR, Murray RC. Three-Dimensional Imaging and Histopathological Features of Third Metacarpal/Tarsal Parasagittal Groove and Proximal Phalanx Sagittal Groove Fissures in Thoroughbred Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Sep 14;13(18).
                doi: 10.3390/ani13182912pubmed: 37760312google scholar: lookup
              32. Nekomoto A, Nakasa T, Ikuta Y, Ding C, Miyaki S, Adachi N. Feasibility of administration of calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist on attenuation of pain and progression in osteoarthritis. Sci Rep 2023 Sep 16;13(1):15354.
                doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-42673-2pubmed: 37717108google scholar: lookup
              33. Poudel SB, Ruff RR, Yildirim G, Dixit M, Michot B, Gibbs JL, Ortiz SD, Kopchick JJ, Kirsch T, Yakar S. Excess Growth Hormone Triggers Inflammation-Associated Arthropathy, Subchondral Bone Loss, and Arthralgia. Am J Pathol 2023 Jun;193(6):829-842.
                doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.02.010pubmed: 36870529google scholar: lookup
              34. Jiang W, Jin Y, Zhang S, Ding Y, Huo K, Yang J, Zhao L, Nian B, Zhong TP, Lu W, Zhang H, Cao X, Shah KM, Wang N, Liu M, Luo J. PGE2 activates EP4 in subchondral bone osteoclasts to regulate osteoarthritis. Bone Res 2022 Mar 9;10(1):27.
                doi: 10.1038/s41413-022-00201-4pubmed: 35260562google scholar: lookup
              35. Hu W, Chen Y, Dou C, Dong S. Microenvironment in subchondral bone: predominant regulator for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2021 Apr;80(4):413-422.
                doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218089pubmed: 33158879google scholar: lookup
              Subscribe to our newsletter
              Join 99,658 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.