Hyperplasia and accelerated hypertrophy of marrow adipocytes with knee immobilization were sustained despite remobilization

Abstract

This longitudinal study elucidates the response of marrow adipose tissue adipocytes in weight-bearing joints to changes in different mechanical environments, and we provide insight on the malleability of the changes over time. In a rat animal model, knee immobilization induced hyperplasia and accelerated the age-dependent hypertrophy of adipocytes. Changes in adipocyte number and size were sustained despite unassisted remobilization. Multimodal distributions of cell size were characteristic of bone marrow adipocytes.

The Effects of Corticosteroid Administration and Treadmill Exercise on Marrow Adipose Tissue and Trabecular Bone after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Rats

“…We employed histological methods to assess MAT and trabecular bone mass. While histological analysis allows for detailed information on adipocyte number and size [ 13 , 17 , 36 , 37 ], it has a limited analysis area compared to osmium micro-computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which are alternative methods for evaluating MAT and trabecular bone mass in rodent models [ 24 , 33 ]. The administration of dexamethasone was short-term (up to day nine post-operatively).…”