Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The normal function of articular cartilages is closely associated with normal stress stimulation. The study of effect of stress on articular cartilage degeneration plays an important role for the treatment of articular cartilage degeneration in clinic.
OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristic of articular cartilage degeneration under abnormal stress, and to explore the effect of stress on normal growth and repair of articular cartilage.
METHODS: Totally 42 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the control and 2-, 4- and 6-week immobilization groups, all of them were immobilized the right hind limb with plaster bandage in extension position except those in the control group. The articular cartilage of the lateral tibial plateau was harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry to observe the pathological change and the content of type Ⅱ collagen.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The articular cartilage appeared destruction and erosion aggravated with time prolonged, and the pathological scores showed there were significant differences among groups (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemistry results showed that the articular cartilage secreted type Ⅱ collagen was increased followed by decreased with immobilization time prolonged. Abnormal stress can lead to articular cartilage degeneration and affect type Ⅱ collagen secretion.