Levels of biomarkers correlate with magnetic resonance imaging progression of knee cartilage degeneration: a study on canine

Abstract

To examine the association between levers of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in serum and synovial fluid, and MR imaging of cartilage degeneration in knee joint, and to understand the effects of movement training with different intensity on cartilage of knee joint. 20 adult canines were randomly divided into three groups (8 in the light training group; 8 in the intensive training group; 4 in the control group), and canines of the two training groups were trained daily at different intensity. The training lasted for 10 weeks in all. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were performed regularly (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 week) to investigate the changes of articular cartilage in the canine knee, while concentrations of COMP, MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP-1 in serum and synovial fluid were measured by ELISA assays. We could find imaging changes of cartilage degeneration in both the training groups by MRI examination during training period, compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference between these two training groups. Elevations of levels of COMP, MMP-1, MMP-3, TIMP-1, MMP-3/TIMP-1 were seen in serum and synovial fluid after training, and their levels had obvious association with knee MRI grades of cartilage lesion. Furthermore, there were statistically significant associations between biomarkers levels in serum and in synovial fluid. Long-time and high-intensity movement training induces cartilage degeneration in knee joint. Within the intensity extent applied in this study, knee cartilage degeneration caused by light training or intensive training has no difference in MR imaging, but has a comparatively obvious difference in biomarkers level. To detect articular cartilage degeneration in early stage and monitor pathological process, the associated application of several biomarkers has a very good practical value, and can be used as a helpful supplement to MRI.

Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein accumulation decreases significantly after 12weeks of running but not swimming and cycling training – A randomised controlled trial

“…Yet, findings suggested that cartilage thickness has much less ability to adapt to mechanical loading than muscle. Further, findings of Qi and Changlin [33] not only support our results but also reveal the weaknesses of the contradictory ones. According to their study, long-time and high-intensity movement training induces cartilage degeneration in the knee joint.…”

Using Animal Models in Osteoarthritis Biomarker Research

“…76 Regardless, COMP may be diagnostically useful as serum and synovial fluid levels have been shown to correlate with canine knee MRI grades of cartilage lesions. 60 Urinary COMP was also predictive of the presence of osteophytes in racehorses with carpal fractures. 77 Serum COMP concentration was lower in osteoarthritic horses versus normal.…”

“…Studies have shown strong correlations between these degradative markers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. [56][57][58][59][60] Markers associated with bone turnover have also been identified, but they are less commonly considered to be diagnostic markers as these are often altered only during advanced stages of disease. [61][62][63][64] MMPs are zinc-and calcium-dependent enzymes that degrade specific substrates of the ECM and include stromelysins, collagenases, gelatinases, and membrane metalloproteases.…”