Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2012, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (20): 3634-3638.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.20.006

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Effects of treadmill running exercise with different intensity on articular cartilage in rats  

Zhan Li-qiong1, Dang Na2, Gao Mei-qin3, Ni Guo-xin1, 4   

  1. 1Laboratory of Exercise and Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, 3Laboratory of Experimental Tumor, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China; 4Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou  510515, Guangdong Province, China
  • Received:2011-09-27 Revised:2011-10-26 Online:2012-05-13 Published:2012-05-13
  • Contact: Ni Guo-xin, Professor, Laboratory of Exercise and Rehabilitation, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China nigxlx@gmail.com guoxinni@yahoo.com
  • About author:Zhan Li-qiong★, Master, Laboratory of Exercise and Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian Province, China zhanlq08@163.com
  • Supported by:

    the Professor Foundation of Fujian Medical University, No. 2007BS004*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Moderate activities are necessary to maintain the normal structure, histological morphology and physiological function of joints. Excessive exercise and immobility lead to articular cartilage degeneration.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of treadmill running exercise with different intensity on articular cartilage of rat knee joints.
METHODS: A total of 18 male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups: sedentary group, low intensity exercise group and high intensity exercise group. Serum samples were collected to measure matrix metalloproteinase 3 content using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, cartilage characteristics were observed by safranin-O staining. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 and type Ⅱ collagen were stained by immunohistochemical staining, and were evaluated by Mankin’s histological grading system. The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 in cartilage was detected by reverse transcription-PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with sedentary group and low intensity exercise group, significant differences were found in high intensity exercise group in terms of Mankin’s score, matrix metalloproteinase 3 concentrations in the serum and cartilage (P < 0.05). The contents of matrix glycosaminoglycan and type Ⅱ collagen in high intensity exercise group were significantly lower than those in the sedentary group and low intensity exercise group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between sedentary group and low intensity exercise group. These results indicate that high intensity exercise can lead to articular cartilage degeneration in rat knees, and exercise-induced cartilage injury may be related to the increasing expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3.
 

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