The canine bilateral groove model of osteoarthritis

Abstract

In studies aimed at local treatment of experimental osteoarthritis (OA) it is optimal to have an internal (untreated) OA control. Such an approach excludes interanimal variation, and allows paired statistical evaluation of treatment efficacy. For this purpose, we developed and characterized a bilateral version of the canine Groove model. We hypothesized that the bilateral version of the canine Groove model would show consistent and clear development of features of OA similar to those found in the unilateral version. In six Beagle dogs, grooves were surgically made in the articular cartilage of the femoral condyles of both knee joints. Six additional dogs underwent bilateral sham surgery. The degree of OA was quantified 20 weeks after surgery and was compared in retrospect to 23 animals that undergone the same procedure in a single knee joint with the contralateral knee serving as a non-OA control. Bilateral groove surgery resulted in OA. This was based on the observed ineffective repair response in which an increase in proteoglycan synthesis, a diminished retention of these newly formed proteoglycans, and an enhanced loss of resident proteoglycans resulted in a decreased cartilage proteoglycan content. These biochemical effects were corroborated by clear histological features of OA. All these effects were found in femor as well as in the (surgically untouched) tibia. Interestingly, features of OA were slightly more severe in the bilateral model than in the unilateral variant. The bilateral canine Groove model showed consistent and clear development of features of OA, comparable to the unilateral model.

Cartilage integrity and proteoglycan turnover are comparable in canine experimentally induced and human joint degeneration

“…14 The model showed very consistent changes in cartilage bio-and histochemistry in all animals, very similar to those seen in the ACLT model.…”

Similarities and discrepancies in subchondral bone structure in two differently induced canine models of osteoarthritis

“…(23) The cartilage of the lateral and medial femoral condyles of both knees was damaged using a Kirschner wire (1.5 mm diameter), which was bent at a 90-degree angle at 0.5 mm from the tip. This ensures that the depth of the grooves was restricted to 0.5 mm.…”

“…Therefore, the suggested uncoupling of cartilage damage and subchondral trabecular bone changes prompted us to study the structural changes of both bone and cartilage early in the process of OA in more detail in the bilateral versions of the two different models of OA. (23,24) Biomarkers were used to study cartilage degradation and bone loss over time, and as endpoint outcomes, micro-computed tomography (mCT) of bone and biochemical and histologic evaluation of cartilage were performed.…”

A Animal Study of Immunohistochemical Analysis of Sympathetic Nerve Fibers in Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head in Comparison with Osteoarthritis

“…The rabbit model of OA were built, grooves were surgically made in the articular cartilage of left hip. The femoral condyles of both knee joints in OA group as described previously [16], while the right joint was left intact.…”

“…Hemodynamic response is key point. It is considered that the cause of ONFH is based on an altered blood flow situation of the bone [15,16]. Atsumi et al [17] examined the vascular situation in ONFH patients by angiography.…”