Disuse histological changes of an unloading environment on joint components in rat knee joints.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To clarify the effects of mechanical unloading on joint components, including the articular cartilage by knee compartments, synovial membrane, and the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP), using a hindlimb suspension rat model.

Design

Twenty-five male rats were divided into the three following experimental groups: the baseline, control (CON), and hindlimb unloading (HU) groups. Rats in the HU group were subjected to periods of hindlimb unloading by tail suspension. The joint components were evaluated by histopathological and histomorphometric analyses.

Results

The unloading condition caused articular cartilage thinning and decreased matrix staining. The tendency of these histological changes in articular cartilage was similar between the knee compartments. In genera

SUBMITTER: Takahashi I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9718232 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature