[Animal modeling] - Characteristics of changes in articular cartilage and subchondral bone in different animal models of osteoarthritis

  Objective: To explore the pathological changes of subchondral bone and articular cartilage in different animal models of osteoarthritis

  Method: Three types of SD rat osteoarthritis models were used, and 24 6-month-old female rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham surgery control group (Sham, n=6), anterior cruciate ligament resection surgery group (ACLT, n=6), papain intra-articular injection group (Papain, n=6), and ovariectomy group (OVX, n=6). Eight weeks after modeling, knee joints were taken, and the tibial plateau was subjected to Micro CT scanning analysis. The articular cartilage was stained with toluidine blue and Mankin score, and changes in subchondral bone and articular cartilage were compared

  Result: After 8 weeks of modeling, the degree of cartilage damage in different OA models varied. The ACLT and Papain groups had more severe cartilage damage, while the OVX group had lighter cartilage changes. The subchondral trabecular bone in all OA models changed, and the subchondral bone microstructure in the OVX group was significantly loose compared to the Sham control group. However, the ACLT and Papain groups did not show significant changes in subchondral bone microstructure compared to the Sham control group, but there was a significant difference compared to the OVX group. The thickness of the subchondral bone plate in all three OA models was reduced compared to the Sham group

  Conclusion: The three animal models showed significant pathological changes in subchondral bone and articular cartilage, and the changes were different. Different OA models represent different pathologies, indicating that subchondral bone plays different roles. This provides more evidence for further studying the mechanisms of different types of OA occurrence and development, as well as using subchondral bone as a possible target for OA treatment