title: Phase-Contrast Radiography Enables Detection of Early Changes in Articular Cartilage in a Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of using phase-contrast radiography to detect early changes in articular cartilage in a mouse model of osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  An iodoacetate-induced mouse model of osteoarthritis was used. Mice with iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis were euthanized at 1 and 2 wks after injection. Specimens were obtained by sectioning mouse tissue into 5-mm-thick slices. Sections were examined using synchrotron x-rays from the 7B2 beamline at the Pohang Light Source. Magnified microradiographic images, obtained by phase-contrast radiography, were used to identify changes in articular cartilage and the subchondral bone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Refraction-enhanced phase-contrast radiography enabled detailed microscopic and macroscopic observation of articular cartilage by a noninvasive technique. Detailed microscopic images revealed partially damaged articular cartilage, containing an irregular trilaminar zone, at 1 wk after injection. At 2 wks after injection, a necrotic cleft was clearly visible, along with collapse of the trilaminar zones. Shrunken chondrocytes and chondrocyte clusters of variable sizes were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phase-contrast radiography is a feasible technique for the early detection of osteoarthritis and is capable of detecting microstructural changes in articular cartilage.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine (JSY, SJK, GSK); Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital (SJW); Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul (SJH); and Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, Republic of Korea (JMK).
authors.forename: Joon Shik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sun Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Sei Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Suk Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Gui Sang
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jae Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D023421:Models, Animal; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D013264:Stifle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*