Naturally Occurring Osteoarthritis Features and Treatments: Systematic Review on the Aged Guinea Pig Model

Abstract

To date, several in vivo models have been used to reproduce the onset and monitor the progression of osteoarthritis (OA), and guinea pigs represent a standard model for studying naturally occurring, age-related OA. This systematic review aims to characterize the guinea pig for its employment in in vivo, naturally occurring OA studies and for the evaluation of specific disease-modifying agents. The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge in the last 10 years. Of the 233 records screened, 49 studies were included. Results showed that within a relatively short period of time, this model develops specific OA aspects, including cartilage degeneration, marginal osteophytes formation, and subchondral bone alterations. Disease severity increases with age, beginning at 3 months with mild OA and reaching moderate–severe OA at 18 months. Among the different strains, Dunkin Hartley develops OA at a relatively early age. Thus, disease-modifying agents have mainly been evaluated for this strain. As summarized herein, spontaneous development of OA in guinea pigs represents an excellent model for studying disease pathogenesis and for evaluating therapeutic interventions. In an ongoing effort at standardization, a detailed characterization of specific OA models is necessary, even considering the main purpose of these models, i.e., translatability to human OA.

Dihydrotanshinone I protects human chondrocytes and alleviates damage from spontaneous osteoarthritis in a guinea pig model

“…Guinea pigs are commonly used as a model for investigating naturally occurring age-related OA. Several in vivo models using guinea pigs have been utilized to replicate the initiation of OA and monitor its progression 1 , 19 . The model used in the present study exhibits specific OA symptoms, such as cartilage deterioration, the growth of marginal osteophytes, and alterations to the subchondral bone.…”

“…Current models of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) involve surgical methods, such as anterior cruciate ligament disconnection and knee meniscus tear 17 , 18 . However, these models fail to replicate the progressive degeneration naturally occurring in a KOA 19 . To address this issue, we used an animal model in our study.…”

“…To address this issue, we used an animal model in our study. The Dunkin Hartley guinea pig model of KOA replicates the natural progression of KOA, allowing for mechanistic studies of the cartilage degeneration typically observed in human KOA 1 , 19 , 20 . Moreover, lesions in Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs spontaneously developing KOA correspond to their age and weight 1 , 21 , 22 .…”

Animal Models in Osteoarthritis Research: Pain Behavioral Methods and Clinical Significance

“…Because of their natural aging process and predisposition, guinea pigs spontaneously develop OA. They are useful in studying agerelated changes in articular cartilage and the underlying molecular mechanisms [12].…”

The Complex Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review on Potential Correlations and Therapeutic Approaches

“…Thus, OA is the result of an imbalance between the anabolic and catabolic processes in the joint [ 3 , 4 ]. It is a multifactorial pathology and age, gender, genetics, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and endocrine factors can play a synergic role [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”