Correlation of acetabular chondrocyte apoptosis with caspase-3 and Bcl-2 expression in developmental dislocations of the hip

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This study aimed to determine whether abnormal apoptosis is present in acetabular cartilage in early developmental dislocations of the hip (DDH), and if so, whether it is correlated with the expression of caspase-3 and Bcl-2. DDH was induced in 24 4-week-old New Zealand white rabbits. Acetabular cartilage specimens from the experimental and control groups were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Animals from the experimental group developed acetabular dysplasia. Apoptotic chondrocytes were observed by ultrastructural electron microscopy and H&E. TUNEL assays revealed significantly greater acetabular chondrocyte apoptosis in the treated samples as compared to the control. Significantly higher caspase-3 expression and lower Bcl-2 expression were also measured in the DDH group compared with the control. We conclude that excessive apoptosis does occur in acetabular cartilage with DDH, and is positively correlated with high caspase-3 expression as well as low Bcl-2 expression.

Can Early Rehabilitation Prevent Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis in the Patellofemoral Joint after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture? Understanding the Pathological Features

“…Additionally, most orthopedic surgeons believe that ACL reconstruction prevents further instability; however, no consensus exists on whether surgery can reduce the risk of PTOA [8]. Additionally, changes in the molecular milieu of the damaged knee joint—such as greater inflammatory reactions, e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression [9] and cell apoptosis (i.e., caspase-3) [10]—directly increase the development of OA. Therefore, the acute settling of balanced homeostasis in the injured joint cavity plays a decisive role in the degradation and synthesis of articular cartilage.…”