title: Chondroprotective effects of zoledronic acid on articular cartilage in dogs with experimentally induced osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess effects of zoledronic acid on biomarkers, radiographic scores, and gross articular cartilage changes in dogs with induced osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  21 purpose-bred hound-type dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The left stifle joint of each dog was examined arthroscopically to determine initial articular cartilage status, which was followed by cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) transection to induce osteoarthritis. Dogs were assigned to 3 groups (control group, low dose [10 μg of zoledronic acid/kg], or high dose [25 μg of zoledronic acid/kg). Treatments were administered SC every 3 months for 1 year beginning the day after CrCL transection. Serum and synovial fluid samples and radiographs were obtained 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transection. At 12 months, each joint was scored for cartilage defects. Serum and synovial fluid biomarkers of bone and cartilage turnover (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, type I and II collagen, carboxy-propeptide of type II collagen, and chondroitin sulfate 846) were analyzed with ELISAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The high-dose group had fewer total articular defects and lower severity scores in CrCL-transected stifle joints than did the control group. In addition, the high-dose group had significantly less change in collagenase cleavage of type I or II collagen in the synovial fluid at 1 and 3 months after CrCL transection than did the control group and also had greater changes in bone-specific alkaline phosphatase in synovial fluid at 3 months after CrCL transection than did the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zoledronic acid had a chondroprotective effect in dogs with a transected CrCL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dearmin
authors.forename: Troy N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Trumble
authors.forename: Anapatricia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Jon N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Steven C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Budsberg
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000097:blood; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000201:enzymology; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D003094:Collagen; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase