title: Protective effect of a new biomaterial against the development of experimental osteoarthritis lesions in rabbit: a pilot study evaluating the intra-articular injection of alginate-chitosan beads dispersed in an hydrogel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the structural benefit of a new biomaterial composed of alginate-chitosan (AC) beads dispersed in a hydrogel (H) derived from chitosan on the development of osteoarthritis (OA) in rabbit.
  
  
  METHODS
  OA was induced by the surgical transection of the anterior cruciate ligament in rabbits. Animals received a single intra-articular injection (900 μl) of AC beads in H hydrogel, H hydrogel alone or saline a week after surgery. OA development was followed by X-rays. Blood samples were collected throughout the study to measure biological markers (Prostaglandins E2 - PGE2 and C reactive protein - CRP). Macroscopic observation and histological evaluation of articular cartilage and synovial membrane were performed 6 weeks after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AC beads in H hydrogel prevented from the development of OA based on the reduction of the Kellgren & Lawrence (K&L) score. It also significantly reduced the histological score of cartilage lesion severity. This effect was homogenous on every joint compartment. It was due to a significant effect on cartilage structure and cellularity scores. The injection of AC beads in H hydrogel also tended to reduce the synovial membrane inflammation. No significant variation of biological markers was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present pilot study provides interesting and promising results for the use of AC beads in H hydrogel in animal. It indeed prevented the development of OA cartilage lesions without inflammatory signs. The potencies of this biomaterial to protect OA joint should be further documented. It could then represent a new alternative for viscosupplementation in human OA management.
authors.affiliation: Bone and Cartilage Research Unit, University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium. frederic.oprenyeszk@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oprenyeszk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chausson
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maquet
authors.forename: J-E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dubuc
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Henrotin
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D048271:Chitosan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008863:Microspheres; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D011859:Radiography; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D055676:Viscosupplementation / Q000379:methods; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D015415:Biomarkers; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D055675:Viscosupplements; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D048271:Chitosan; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Alginate; Chitosan; Hydrogel; Osteoarthritis; Rabbit