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. 2024 Mar 25;19(1):197.
doi: 10.1186/s13018-024-04677-0.

Effects of alendronate on cartilage lesions and micro-architecture deterioration of subchondral bone in patellofemoral osteoarthritic ovariectomized rats with patella-baja

Mingjian Bei #  1 , Zhiyuan Zheng #  2 , Yaping Xiao #  3 , Ning Liu  2 , Xuehui Cao  2 , Faming Tian  2 , Liu Zhang  4 , Xinbao Wu  5
Affiliations

Effects of alendronate on cartilage lesions and micro-architecture deterioration of subchondral bone in patellofemoral osteoarthritic ovariectomized rats with patella-baja

Mingjian Bei et al. J Orthop Surg Res. .

Abstract

Background: Patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFJOA) is a subtype of knee OA, which is one of the main causes of anterior knee pain. The current study found an increased prevalence of OA in postmenopausal women, called postmenopausal OA. Therefore, we designed the ovariectomized rat model of patella baja-induced PFJOA. Alendronate (ALN) inhibits osteoclast-mediated bone loss, and has been reported the favorable result of a potential intervention option of OA treatment. However, the potential effects of ALN treatment on PFJOA in the ovariectomized rat model are unknown and need further investigation prior to exploration in the clinical research setting. In this study, the effects of ALN on articular cartilage degradation and subchondral bone microstructure were assessed in the ovariectomized PFJOA rat model for 10 weeks.

Methods: Patella baja and estrogen withdrawal were induced by patellar ligament shortening (PLS) and bilateral ovariectmomy surgeries in 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8): Sham + V; OVX + V, Sham + PLS + V, OVX + PLS + V, OVX + PLS + ALN (ALN: 70 μg/kg/week). Radiography was performed to evaluate patellar height ratios, and the progression of PFJOA was assessed by macroscopic and microscopic analyses, immunohistochemistry and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Results: Our results found that the patella baja model prepared by PLS can successfully cause degeneration of articular cartilage and subchondral bone, resulting in changes of PFJOA. OVX caused a decrease in estrogen levels in rats, which aggravated the joint degeneration caused by PFJOA. Early application of ALN can delay the degenerative changes of articular cartilage and subchondral bone microstructure in castrated PFJOA rat to a certain extent, improve and maintain the micrometabolism and structural changes of cartilage and subchondral bone.

Conclusion: The early application of ALN can delay the destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone microstructure in castrated PFJOA rat to a certain extent.

Keywords: Alendronate; Animal model; Patella baja; Patellofemoral osteoarthritis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
X-ray photography 10 days after molding and modified Insall-Salvati ratio. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The Micro-CT images and results of the subchondral bone. Black bar = 250 μm. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group, □p < 0.05 versus PLS group, ■p < 0.05 versus PLS + OVX group
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The gross observation of femoral trochlear cartilage degeneration. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Histomorphology related evaluation. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Results of immunohistochemisty staining of Col-II. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group, ■p < 0.05 versus PLS + OVX group
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Results of immunohistochemisty staining of MMP-13. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group, #p < 0.05 versus PLS group, ■p < 0.05 versus PLS + OVX group
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Results of immunohistochemisty staining of Caspase-3. *p < 0.05 versus sham group, ▲p < 0.05 versus OVX group, #p < 0.05 versus PLS group, ■p < 0.05 versus PLS + OVX group
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