Exercise protects against articular cartilage degeneration in the hamster

Abstract

Objective. It has been reported that osteoarthritis can occur in hamsters. The present study was under-taken to determine the effects of exercise on the composition of articular cartilage and synovial fluid and on the development of cartilage degeneration in these animals. Methods. Young (2.5-month-old) group-housed hamsters were compared with 5.5-month-old hamsters that had undergone 3 months of daily wheel running exercise (6-12 km/day) or 3 months of sedentary, individually housed living. The condition of the femoral condyles was determined by scanning electron micros-copy in 12 exercising hamsters, 12 sedentary hamsters, and 6 of the young controls. The content of proteogly-can, hyaluronic acid, hydroxyproline, and proline in synovial fluid and patellar cartilage was measured. Results. By scanning electron microscopy, the femoral articular cartilage was smooth and undulating in young controls and older exercising hamsters. In contrast, the femoral condyles were fibrillated in all 12 of the sedentary hamsters. There was no difference in the patellar cartilage collagen content between the 3 groups, but proteoglycan content and synthesis were lower in the patellar cartilage of the sedentary group. Synovial fluid volume was also decreased in the sedentary group compared with the young controls or the older exercising hamsters. Conclusion. A sedentary lifestyle in the hamster leads to a lower proteoglycan content in the cartilage and a lower synovial fluid volume. These changes are associated with cartilage fibrillation, pitting, and fissur

Regular joint loading in youth assists in the establishment and strengthening of the collagen network of articular cartilage and contributes to the prevention of osteoarthrosis later in life: a hypothesis

“…These effects probably contribute to the establishment and strengthening of the network and prevent OA in middle and old age. In this context it is interesting to note that Otterness et al [129] observed a protective effect of exercise against articular cartilage degeneration in young hamsters. Daily wheel running (6-12 km/day) for 3 months was found to prevent fibrillation of the femoral articular cartilage.…”

Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Cartilage loading in the form of regular moderate exercise enhances glycosaminoglycan content in knee cartilage of both humans and other mammals [24][25][26][27]. The cartilaginous matrix adapts to loading stresses by enhanced crosslinking analogous to osteoblastic activity in bones under moderate duress.…”

Musculoskeletal MR: knee

“…New therapeutic concepts, such as chondrocyte culturing, cartilage, and chondrocyte transplantation, are currently being developed [69,70,71] and there is increasing experience with selective compartmental arthroplasty. Thus, in view of therapy-related staging, assessment of therapeutic efficacy, and on the basis of imaging technique refinements, MRI assessment of the articular cartilage is an emerging field.…”