Quantitative cell and matrix changes in human humeral head osteoarthritic cartilage

A new quantitative method was devised both to establish an objective standard for morphometric diagnosis and to determine the extent of degeneration in osteoarthritic cartilage. Eight normal and forty-eight osteoarthritic humeral heads, subsequently confirmed by light microscopy, were obtained at necropsy. The articular cartilage was observed in situ with a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) and morphometric measurements determined cell density (cells/mm), cell volume fraction (%) and mean cell volume (microm3). The osteoarthritic cartilages were classified according to the following four characteristics: increase in thickness, increase in cell volume fraction, decrease in cell volume fraction, and fibrous pannus. Deviations in cell density and cell volume fraction from normal means were calculated as extent of degeneration. Our present approach aims to provide valuable clues, such as objective stereological information and a unique reference for biochemical and traditional morphological analyses, that clinicians will be able to use in combination with other methods in order to establish a reliable diagnosis.     

Intraosseous thrombosis in ischemic necrosis of bone and osteoarthritis

It has been proposed that nontraumatic ischemic necrosis of bone (INB) is a result of lipid associated intraosseous thrombosis. A histological study of 15 patients with INB confirmed the presence of intravascular lipid and thrombosis in the vessels of the femoral head. A similar analysis of 11 patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA) showed similar changes at lower levels. These changes were not observed in seven control femoral heads. The possibility that both INB and OA result from intraosseous thrombosis is discussed.     

DNMT3A对骨关节炎软骨细胞SOX9基因DNA甲基化修饰的影响

目的 探讨DNMT3A对SOX9基因DNA甲基化修饰的影响。方法 培养正常软骨细胞和OA软骨细胞,显微镜下观察软骨细胞形态,甲苯胺蓝染色、Ⅱ型胶原染色鉴定软骨细胞,qRT-PCR、Western Blot检测DNMT3A、SOX9 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,亚硫酸氢盐测序检测SOX9基因DNA甲基化状态,慢病毒沉默DNMT3A观察SOX9基因DNA甲基化修饰的变化。结果 正常软骨细胞形态规则,体积较大,数量较多,OA软骨细胞形态不规则,体积较小,数量较少。与正常软骨细胞比较,OA软骨细胞中DNMT3A mRNA和蛋白表达量增高（P＜0.05）,SOX9 mRNA和蛋白表达量明显降低（P＜0.05）,SOX9基因DNA甲基化百分比增高。在OA软骨细胞中沉默DNMT3A后,SOX9基因DNA甲基化百分比明显降低。结论 DNMT3A调节SOX9基因DNA甲基化修饰参与OA软骨细胞病变。     

Microheterogeneity of acute phase proteins in patients with clinically active and clinically nonactive osteoarthritis

Summary Microheterogeneity of two acute phase glycoproteins, -1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and -1-antichymotryspin (ACT), concentrations of AGP, ACT, and C-reactive protein (CRP), and levels of three cytokines: interleukin 1 (IL-1-), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-) were determined in 61 serum samples and 7 synovial fluids (SFs) obtained from patients (n=61) with osteoarthritis. Using affinity immunoelectrophoresis with concanavalin A (conA), a significant decrease in the reactivity of AGP and ACT with this lectin was found in patients with clinically active osteoarthritis when compared to those with clinically nonactive disease (p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). There was no increase in the concentration of AGP, ACT, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the sera examined. In particular, no increase in the serum level of these proteins was found in the patients with clinically active disease. Low concentrations of IL-6 and TNF- were found in most sera and SFs examined. In 6 out of 7 SFs available, IL-6 concentrations were higher than in the respective serum samples but for TNF- the same could be shown in one case only. Low concentrations of IL-1- were found in 4 serum samples obtained from patients with clinically active osteoarthritis and in no SF specimen studied. In the entire group, serum level of TNF- correlated weakly with the AGP and ACT reactivity coefficients with conA (r=0.3634, p<0.005 and r=0.3324, p<0.02, respectively).Our findings suggest that there are changes in the microheterogeneity of acute phase glycoproteins in some patients with osteoarthritis similar to those observed in rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammations. Possible mechanisms of the involvement of cytokines in the regulation of glycosylation of acute phase glycoproteins in osteoarthritis are discussed.     

Changes in mean trabecular orientation in the medial condyle of the proximal tibia in osteoarthritis

In osteoarthritis of the knee, degenerative changes occur in the articular cartilage and underlying subchondral bone, particularly of the medial tibial condyle. Cancellous bone sclerosis that accompanies osteoarthritis is not only the result of an increase in bone volume fraction but also a change in trabecular structure. In a comparison with agematched controls (n=4), osteoarthritis (n=11) demonstrated a significant (P0.05) increase in bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness. Overal trabecular orientation in the osteoarthritic group was more vertical or perpendicular to the articular surface than the control group (P0.05) especially in the trabeculae of the cancellous bone layer closest to the articular surface. These alterations in trabecular bone structure could have significant consequences for the mechanical properties of osteoarthritic bone.     

关节镜诊断和治疗膝关节骨性关节炎40例临床分析

目的：探讨关节镜检术对膝关节骨性关节炎（关节退行性病,ＯＡ）的早期诊断和治疗效果。方法：在连续硬膜外麻下,取膝关节内侧入路,用关节镜对４０例膝关节ＯＡ（１９９４～１９９７）进行检查和镜下清理术。结果：随访２～４年（平均２．５年）,术后综合评估１～２年优良率８２．５％,２年以后优良率５２．５％。结论：关节镜检术可对膝关节ＯＡ的诊断和治疗提供较全面而准确的信息;镜下关节清理术对早期ＯＡ疗效良好,具有创伤小、恢复快、并发症少和可重复等优点。     

复方软伤伸筋丸治疗膝关节骨性关节炎临床研究

目的 :探讨复方软伤伸筋丸治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的疗效机理。方法 :采用单盲法将膝关节骨性关节炎患者 2 2 0例 ,随机分为软伤伸筋丸组 (治疗组 ) 1 60例 ,壮骨关节丸组 (对照组 ) 60例 ,对比分析两组临床疗效。结果 :1治疗组临床治愈率为 88.75 % ,总有效率为 99.3 5 % ;对照组临床治愈率为 2 3 .3 3 % ,总有效率为 91 .68% ,治疗组优于对照组 ,具有显著性差异 (P<0 .0 1 )。2复方软伤伸筋丸无毒副作用。3复方软伤伸筋丸的应用可使增生骨刺吸收 ,损伤半月板修复。结论 :复方软伤伸筋丸是一种治疗膝关节骨性关节炎安全有效药物。