[Experimental study on histological changes of articular cartilage of femoral head under nonweight-bearing conditions].
Histological changes of articular cartilage of the femoral head in the nonweight-bearing conditions were investigated using 10-week-old Wistar rats whose hind limbs had been unilaterally transected. At 2 weeks after limb transection, decreased DNA synthesis in chondrocytes and depletion of glycosaminoglycan in the cartilage matrix in the intermediate zone of the articular cartilage were observed. After 8 weeks, articular cartilage thickness decreased significantly, and at 16 weeks the number of chondrocytes diminished in comparison with those of a weight-bearing femoral head. At 20 weeks, chondrocyte death and reduced width of articular cartilage became evident. No osteoarthritic changes, however, were observed under nonweight-bearing conditions. These findings suggest that weight-bearing is very important in maintaining of both the structure and metabolism of the articular cartilage.
Otsuka
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Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tottori University School of Medicine, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005270:Femur Head; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009336:Necrosis; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D004247:DNA