Colony housing promotes structural and functional changes during surgically induced osteoarthritis in rats

ABSTRACT: Summary

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate how social housing with high locomotion activity affects experimental osteoarthritis (OA) in rats.

Design

Rats were housed either conventionally in type IV cages in pairs or in rat colony cages (RCC) on 4 levels interconnected by jump holes or staircase in groups of 48. OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection and resection of the medial meniscus (ACLT + tMx), medial meniscal tear (MMT) or destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Functional changes were characterized by continues tracking of individual activity and catwalk gait analysis. Cartilage volume and bone structure were investigated at week 20 after surgery by histology and micro-CT.

Results

In the RCC, healthy rats changed cag

SUBMITTER: Brenneis C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9718248 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature