The initial bearing capacities of subchondral bone replacements considerably contributing to chondrogenesis.

The degeneration of articular cartilage results from osteoarthritis and many other forms of severe arthritis. Current treatments for cartilage repair are less than satisfactory, and rarely restore a full function or return the tissue to its natural state. The leading strategies in the treatment are aimed at the transplantation of cells and/or the use of various biological grafts, bioactive agents, or biologically compatible implant matrices. The insertion of a crushed autologous bone graft has been reported as a possible therapy. However, the regenerative quality of the tissue was less than 70% of healthy cartilage for fragments and controls. The implantation of cycloolefin-blend 3D-cylinders with hydrogel scaffolds on their proximal parts and with the applications of type I collagen films is one of several surgical therapies. The replacement and continuous biomechanical properties of the subchondral bone play an important role in the morphology and the quality of chondrogenesis. The initial biomechanical stability of COC-blend polymer replacements in the subchondral bone contributes to the formation of a new cartilage tissue. The initial bearing capacities of the implanted tissue/replacements and vertical positions of the replacements have a principal influence upon both the quality and the quantity of new articular cartilage.

Increased level of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in osteoarthritic subchondral bone.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of several cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 in osteoarthritis (OA) and control sera and different joint tissues. METHODS: Serum, synovial fluid, cartilage, synovial and subchondral bone tissues were examined in OA and control subjects. The protein level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-8, IL-10 and MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 were measured by immunoanalysis. RESULTS: Serum levels of TNF-alpha, MMP-3 and -9 were significantly higher in OA patients than in controls. Conversely, serum IL-10 was decreased in OA patients. CRP was elevated when compared to healthy controls and decreased significantly 6 months after the surgery. In contrast to control samples, OA cartilage and synovium revealed significantly higher MMP-2, -3, -9 and IL-10. IL-1alpha was significantly higher in OA cartilage and IL-8 in OA synovium. Interestingly, MMP-3, -9, TIMP-1 and all tested cytokines were up-regulated in OA subchondral bone. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates pro-inflammatory condition of OA pathology and supports the idea that vascularized subchondral region may increase the synthesis of cytokines and MMPs leading to degradation of adjacent cartilage.