Multi-functional PEEK implants enhance osseointegration in OVX rat by remodeling the bone immune microenvironment.

Osseointegration is significantly impeded in osteoporotic conditions due to the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation at the site of injury. To enhance bone regeneration in osteoporotic conditions, a modified polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implants was prepared, denoted as PEEK-PDA-Sr. The implants consisted of mussel adhesion layer with the conjugation of strontium (Sr) ions, which can constantly release Sr ions for up to 3 weeks. PEEK-PDA-Sr demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and effectively regulated intracellular ROS levels and macrophage differentiation. In addition, the PEEK-PDA-Sr facilitated the osteogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). In the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of osteoporosis, the PEEK-PDA-Sr exhibited raised osseointegration in the femoral bone defects. The PEEK-PDA-Sr can be used as an immunoregulator with enhanced osseointegration and osteogenesis both in vivo and in vitro, which provides an available approach to treat osteoporotic bone defects.

Research progress of ultrasound in accurate evaluation of cartilage injury in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent cause of joint algesia, loss of function, and disability in adults, with cartilage injury being its core pathological manifestation. Since cartilage damage is non-renewable, the treatment outcome in the middle and late stages of OA is unsatisfactory, which can be minimized by changing lifestyle and other treatment modalities if diagnosed and managed in the early stages, indicating the importance of early diagnosis and monitoring of cartilage injury. Ultrasound technology has been used for timely diagnosis and even cartilage injury treatment, which is convenient and safe for the patient owing to no radiation exposure. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ultrasound and its various quantitative ultrasound parameters, like ultrasound roughness index (URI), reflection coefficient (R), apparent integrated backscatter (AIB), thickness, and ultrasound elastography, in the early and accurate assessment of OA cartilage pathological changes, including surface and internal tissue, hardness, and thickness. Although many challenges are faced in the clinical application of this technology in diagnosis, ultrasound and ultrasound-assisted techniques offer a lot of promise for detecting early cartilage damage in OA. In this review, we have discussed the evaluation of ultrasonic cartilage quantitative parameters for early pathological cartilage changes.

Genetic insights into serum cathepsins as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in knee and hip osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease due to the deterioration of cartilage structure and function, involving the progressive degradation of the cartilage extracellular matrix. Cathepsins, lysosomal cysteine proteases, play pivotal roles in various biological and pathological processes, particularly in protein degradation. Excess cathepsins levels are reported to contribute to the development of OA. However, the causal relationship between the cathepsin family and knee and hip OA remains uncertain. Therefore, this study utilized bidirectional Mendelian Randomization (MR) analyses to explore this causal association. Our results indicated that elevated serum levels of cathepsin O increase the overall risk of knee OA, while increased serum levels of cathepsin H enhance the risk of hip OA. Conversely, the reverse MR analyses did not reveal a reverse causal relationship between them. In summary, OA in different anatomical locations may genetically result from pathological elevations in different serum cathepsin isoforms, which could be utilized as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in clinical practice.

Effectiveness of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on osteoarthritis: molecular mechanism and tissue engineering.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is distinguished by pathological alterations in the synovial membrane, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone, resulting in physical symptoms such as pain, deformity, and impaired mobility. Numerous research studies have validated the effectiveness of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in OA treatment. The periodic mechanical waves generated by LIPUS can mitigate cellular ischemia and hypoxia, induce vibration and collision, produce notable thermal and non-thermal effects, alter cellular metabolism, expedite tissue repair, improve nutrient delivery, and accelerate the healing process of damaged tissues. The efficacy and specific mechanism of LIPUS is currently under investigation. This review provides an overview of LIPUS's potential role in the treatment of OA, considering various perspectives such as the synovial membrane, cartilage, subchondral bone, and tissue engineering. It aims to facilitate interdisciplinary scientific research and further exploration of LIPUS as a complementary technique to existing methods or surgery. Ongoing research is focused on determining the optimal dosage, frequency, timing, and treatment strategy of LIPUS for OA. Additional research is required to clarify the precise mechanism of action and potential impacts on cellular, animal, and human systems prior to its integration into therapeutic applications.