title: Quantitative Gait Analysis Detects Significant Differences in Movement between Osteoarthritic and Nonosteoarthritic Guinea Pig Strains before and after Treatment with Flunixin Meglumine.
abstract: A computer-aided gait analysis system was used to contrast two guinea pig strains with differing propensity for osteoarthritis (OA), with/without administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Walking speed and static/dynamic gait parameters were determined at baseline. Flunixin meglumine was given and animals were evaluated 4, 24, and 72 hours after treatment. Body weight was compared using unpaired t-tests. Knee joints were histologically evaluated using species-specific criteria; indices were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's multiple comparisons. A generalized linear model followed by Tukey's posttests juxtaposed gait parameters; walking speed was a covariate for other outcome measures. Body weight was not different between strains; OA-prone animals demonstrated more progressive chondropathy. At baseline, OA-prone animals had slower walking speeds, narrower hind limb bases of support, shorter stride lengths, and slower limb swing speeds relative to OA-resistant animals. These differences were not detected 4 or 24 hours after treatment. By 72 hours, OA-prone animals had returned to baseline values. These findings indicate a distinct voluntary gait pattern in a rodent model of bilateral primary OA, modification of which may allow rapid screening of novel therapies. Flunixin meglumine temporarily permitted OA-prone animals to move in a manner that was analogous to OA-resistant animals.
authors: Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA ; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Santangelo
authors: Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Kaeding
authors: Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Baker
authors: Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA ; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Bertone