Does ischemia/reperfusion impact apoptosis of articular chondrocyte in the femoral head epiphyses / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion can induce degenerative alterations in articular cartilage. However, the precise mechanism remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphological changes and the apoptosis of articular cartilage of femoral head epiphyses with ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: A total of 80 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups ischemia/reperfusion (model of ischemia/reperfusion in hip joint) and sham-surgery (exposure of abdominal aorta for 5 minutes) groups, with 40 animals in each group. Articular cartilages of femoral head epiphysis were col ected in 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours, 5 days, and 2 and 4 weeks after operation. Morphology of articular cartilage of femoral head epiphyses was examined by light microscope, and cel apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Light microscopy showed chondrocytes degeneration and reduction, as wel as fibrosis in matrix of cartilage in the ischemia/reperfusion group. Chondrocyte apoptosis was observed in both groups by TUNEL. Several apoptotic cells, less than five, were observed in the sham-surgery, while 10-30 apoptotic cells were found in ischemia/reperfusion group at 48 hours. Results indicated that ischemia/reperfusion can induce degenerative changes in articular cartilage of femoral head epiphyses, and cel apoptosis in developing hip joint may participate in damage of articular cartilage. Inhibition of chondrocyte apoptosis in articular cartilage may be useful for the prevention and cure of early osteoarthritis.