The effects of intra-articular methylprednisolone and exercise on the mechanical properties of articular cartilage in the horse.
Abstract: Intra-articular corticosteroids are widely used as anti-inflammatory agents for symptomatic management of arthritis, but their administration with concurrent exercise remains controversial. Biochemical and morphologic analysis of treated cartilage has revealed conflicting results, but previous biomechanical assessment has not been undertaken. Objective: To compare the biomechanical properties of intra-articular methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) and diluent treated cartilage in treadmill exercised horses. Methods: Eight 2-year-old female horses had MPA or diluent administered into contralateral middle carpal joints at 14 day intervals for a total of four treatments per horse. Horses underwent a standard treadmill exercise protocol until euthanasia (day 70). Standard sites were tested on the third, radial and intermediate carpal bones using an automated indentation apparatus to obtain the creep and recovery behavior of the articular cartilage. Using previously validated biphasic creep indentation methodology, aggregate modulus, Poisson's ratio, permeability, shear modulus, thickness, creep and recovery equilibrium times and percent recovery were obtained at each site. Results were analyzed using ANOVA and multiple comparisons of the means (P < 0.05). Results: Cartilage intrinsic material properties and thickness demonstrated significant differences between MPA and diluent treated joints. Diluent treated cartilage had a 97% increase in compressive stiffness modulus (P = 0.0001), was 121% more permeable (P = 0.0001), had 88% increase in shear modulus (P = 0.0001), and was 24% thicker (P = 0.0001) than MPA treated articular cartilage. Conclusions: The findings indicate that repetitive intra-articular administration of MPA to exercising horses alters the mechanical integrity of articular cartilage, which could lead to early cartilage degeneration.
Publication Date: 1998-08-06 PubMed ID: 9692065DOI: 10.1053/joca.1997.0100Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research studied the impact of steroid injections, specifically methylprednisolone acetate (MPA), together with physical activity on the mechanical characteristics of the cartilage in joints using horses as a model. The results have suggested that repetitive intra-articular administration of MPA, combined with exercise, can affect the mechanical integrity of the cartilage in joints, potentially leading to early degeneration.
Research Methodology
- The research involved eight, 2-year-old female horses. Each horse received either MPA or a placebo (diluent) in their contra-lateral middle carpal joints at two-week intervals for a total of four treatments per horse.
- They underwent a standard treadmill exercise regimen until they were euthanized at the 70th day of the experiment.
- The cartilage in the horses’ third, radial, and intermediate carpal bones was tested with an automated indentation apparatus to assess the “creep” (deformation rate under constant stress) and recovery properties of the cartilage.
Data Analysis and Results
- Using established biphasic creep indentation methodology, the experiment determined the aggregate modulus (a measure of substance’s resistance to compression), Poisson’s ratio (a measure of how much a material expands or contracts against its original shape under load), permeability, shear modulus (measure of material’s structural rigidity), thickness, as well as the creep and recovery equilibrium times and the percentage of recovery for each site.
- Data was analysed with ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) methods and multiple comparisons of the means. They considered a result statistically significant if the observed p-value was less than 0.05 (P < 0.05).
- The result of this study showed significant differences in the intrinsic material properties and thickness of the cartilage between the MPA and placebo-treated joints. Specifically, the diluent treated cartilage showed a 97% increase in compressive stiffness modulus, was 121% more permeable, exhibited an 88% rise in shear modulus, and was 24% thicker than the MPA treated cartilage.
Conclusion
- The findings imply that the regular use of MPA injections in combination with exercise changes the mechanical integrity of the articular cartilage in horses. This change could potentially speed up the degeneration of the cartilage.
- Though this research study used horses as a model, the results might have implications for the management of human connective tissue diseases like arthritis, and the study provides valuable data to consider when treating similar conditions in humans.
Cite This Article
APA
Murray RC, DeBowes RM, Gaughan EM, Zhu CF, Athanasiou KA.
(1998).
The effects of intra-articular methylprednisolone and exercise on the mechanical properties of articular cartilage in the horse.
Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 6(2), 106-114.
https://doi.org/10.1053/joca.1997.0100 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, England, U.K.
MeSH Terms
- Analysis of Variance
- Animals
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Carpus, Animal
- Cartilage, Articular / drug effects
- Cartilage, Articular / physiology
- Female
- Horses
- Injections, Intra-Articular
- Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
- Methylprednisolone / adverse effects
- Methylprednisolone / analogs & derivatives
- Methylprednisolone Acetate
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Fackler NP, Yareli-Salinas E, Callan KT, Athanasiou KA, Wang D. In Vitro Effects of Triamcinolone and Methylprednisolone on the Viability and Mechanics of Native Articular Cartilage.. Am J Sports Med 2023 May 15;51(9):3635465231162644.
- Derwich M, Mitus-Kenig M, Pawlowska E. Mechanisms of Action and Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid, Corticosteroids and Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis-A Systematic Review.. Int J Mol Sci 2021 Jul 9;22(14).
- Bodick N, Williamson T, Strand V, Senter B, Kelley S, Boyce R, Lightfoot-Dunn R. Local Effects Following Single and Repeat Intra-Articular Injections of Triamcinolone Acetonide Extended-Release: Results from Three Nonclinical Toxicity Studies in Dogs.. Rheumatol Ther 2018 Dec;5(2):475-498.
- Wernecke C, Braun HJ, Dragoo JL. The Effect of Intra-articular Corticosteroids on Articular Cartilage: A Systematic Review.. Orthop J Sports Med 2015 May;3(5):2325967115581163.
- Riggin CN, Tucker JJ, Soslowsky LJ, Kuntz AF. Intra-articular tibiofemoral injection of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug has no detrimental effects on joint mechanics in a rat model.. J Orthop Res 2014 Nov;32(11):1512-9.
- Wang J, Elewaut D, Hoffman I, Veys EM, Verbruggen G. Physiological levels of hydrocortisone maintain an optimal chondrocyte extracellular matrix metabolism.. Ann Rheum Dis 2004 Jan;63(1):61-6.
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