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PloS one2018; 13(3); e0194052; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194052

Structure-Function relationships of equine menisci.

Abstract: Meniscal pathologies are among the most common injuries of the femorotibial joint in both human and equine patients. Pathological forces and ensuing injuries of the cranial horn of the equine medial meniscus are considered analogous to those observed in the human posterior medial horn. Biomechanical properties of human menisci are site- and depth- specific. However, the influence of equine meniscus topography and composition on its biomechanical properties is yet unknown. A better understanding of equine meniscus composition and biomechanics could advance not only veterinary therapies for meniscus degeneration or injuries, but also further substantiate the horse as suitable translational animal model for (human) meniscus tissue engineering. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the composition and structure of the equine knee meniscus in a site- and age-specific manner and their relationship with potential site-specific biomechanical properties. The meniscus architecture was investigated histologically. Biomechanical testing included evaluation of the shore hardness (SH), stiffness and energy loss of the menisci. The SH was found to be subjected to both age and site-specific changes, with an overall higher SH of the tibial meniscus surface and increase in SH with age. Stiffness and energy loss showed neither site nor age related significant differences. The macroscopic and histologic similarities between equine and human menisci described in this study, support continued research in this field.
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Publication Date: 2018-03-09 PubMed ID: 29522550PubMed Central: PMC5844599DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194052Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The research paper discusses a study conducted to understand the composition, structure, and biomechanical behavior of horsemen’s knee meniscus, with potential to further veterinary treatments and validate horses as suitable models for meniscus tissue engineering in humans.

Objective and Importance of the Study

  • The study seeks to explore the composition and structure of the meniscus in horse knees based on site (location of the meniscus in the knee) and age, and to examine how these attributes may influence biomechanical properties.
  • This is important because injuries and complications of the meniscus are common in both horses and humans, and a better understanding of the mechanics and composition of the meniscus could advance treatments for these conditions. Additionally, learning more about the equine meniscus could validate the use of horses as models for research into human meniscus tissue engineering.

Methods of Investigation

  • The research involved a dual method of investigation. The architecture of the meniscus was examined histologically (study of the microscopic structure of tissues), and its biomechanics properties were evaluated through testing for shore hardness, stiffness, and energy loss.

Research Findings

  • The shore hardness (SH) of the meniscus, a measure of the resistance of material to change in shape, revealed site- and age-specific differences. In general, the tibial meniscus surface displayed higher SH, and SH increased with age. This suggests that the composition of the meniscus can change depending on its location and age.
  • No significant differences were found with regard to stiffness and energy loss, which suggests that these properties may not necessarily be influenced by the meniscus’s location or age.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that the architectural similarities observed between the menisci of horses and humans could serve as a basis for further research in the field. This research provides a stepping-stone to understanding the structure-function relationships present in the menisci of both horses and humans and contributes to the improvement of therapeutic strategies targeting meniscal pathologies.

Cite This Article

APA
Ribitsch I, Peham C, Ade N, Dürr J, Handschuh S, Schramel JP, Vogl C, Walles H, Egerbacher M, Jenner F. (2018). Structure-Function relationships of equine menisci. PLoS One, 13(3), e0194052. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194052

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Pages: e0194052

Researcher Affiliations

Ribitsch, Iris
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterm, University Equine Hospital, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Peham, Christian
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterm, University Equine Hospital, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Ade, Nicole
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterm, University Equine Hospital, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
  • Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Dürr, Julia
  • Department of Pathobiology, Unit of Histology and Embryology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Handschuh, Stephan
  • Vetcore Facility for Research, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Schramel, Johannes Peter
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterm, University Equine Hospital, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Vogl, Claus
  • Department of Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Molecular Genetics, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Walles, Heike
  • Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM), University Hospital Wuerzburg and Translational Center Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Baveria, Germany.
Egerbacher, Monika
  • Department of Pathobiology, Unit of Histology and Embryology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Jenner, Florien
  • Department for Companion Animals and Horses, Veterm, University Equine Hospital, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Aging
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Collagen / analysis
  • Compressive Strength
  • Female
  • Gait
  • Glycosaminoglycans / analysis
  • Hardness
  • Hardness Tests
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Male
  • Meniscus / anatomy & histology
  • Meniscus / chemistry
  • Meniscus / physiology
  • Stifle / anatomy & histology
  • Stifle / physiology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Conflict of Interest Statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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