• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.148-157
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• 2007

Background & Objective: Articular cartilage is a potential target for drugs designed to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to stop or slow the destruction of the proteoglycanand collagen in the cartilage extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Cinnamomum cassia in inhibiting the release of glycosaminoglycan (GAG), the degradation of collagen, and MMP activity in rabbit and human articular cartilage explants. Methods: The cartilage-protective effects of Cinnamomum cassia were evaluated by using glycosaminoglycan degradation assay, collagen degradation assay, colorimetric analysis of MMP activity, measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity and histological analysis in rabbit cartilage explants culture. Results: Interleukin-1a (IL-1a) rapidly induced GAG, but collagen was much less readily released from cartilage explants. Cinnamomum cassia significantly inhibited GAG and collagen release in a concentration-dependent manner. Cinnamomum cassia dose-dependently inhibited MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 activities from IL-1a-treated cartilage explants culture when tested at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 1 mg/ml. Conclusion : These results indicate that Cinnamomum cassia inhibits the degradation of proteoglycan and collagen through the down regulation of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-13 activities of IL-1a-stimulated rabbit and human articular cartilage explants.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.1258-1266
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• 2005

The present study was carried out in order to assess the protective effects of calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside, isolated from Astragali radix (AR), on hyaluronidase (HAase) and the recombinant human interleukin-$1\beta$ (IL-$1\beta$)-induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage and chondrocytes. We isolated the active component from the n-butanol soluble fraction of AR (ARBu) as the HAase inhibitor and structurally identified as calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside by LC-MS, IR, ${1}^H$ NMR, and ${13}^C$ NMR analyses. The $IC_{50}$ of this component on HAase was found to be 3.7 mg/ml by in vitro agarose plate assay. The protective effect of ARBu on the matrix gene expression of immortalized chondrocyte cell line C28/I2 treated with HAase was investigated using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and its effect on HAase and IL-$1\beta$-induced matrix degradation in human articular cartilage was determined by a staining method and calculating the amount of degraded glycosaminoglycan (GAG) from the cultured media. Pretreatment with calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside effectively protected human chondrocytes and articular cartilage from matrix degradation. Therefore, calycosin-7-O-$\beta$-D-glucopyranoside from AR appears to be a potential natural ant-inflammatory or antii-osteoarthritis agent and can be effectively used to protect from proteoglycan (PG) degradation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2011.06a
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• pp.1425-1426
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• 2011

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.229-239
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• 2006

Objectives : Articular cartilage is a potential target for drugs designed to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to stop or slow the destruction of the proteoglycan and collagen in the cartilage extracelluar matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of KHBJs for cartilage-protective effect in human and rabbit articular cartilage explants. Methods : The cartilage-protective effects of KHBJ were evaluated by using glycosaminoglycan degradation assay, collagen degradation assay, colorimetric analysis of MMPs activity, and histological analysis in rabbit and human cartilage explants culture. Results : KHBJs significantly inhibited GAG and collagen release of rabbit and human cartilage explant in a concentration-dependent manner. Also, KHBJs inhibited MMP-3 and MMP-13 activities from IL-$1{\alpha}$-treated cartilage explants cultures. Histological analysis indicated that KHBJ004 reduced the degradation of the cartilage matrix compared with that of IL-$1{\alpha}$-treated cartilage explants. KHBJ004 had no harmful effect on chondrocytes viability or cartilage morphology in cartilage explants. Conclusions : These results indicate that KHBJs inhibits the degradation of proteoglycan and collagen through the downregulation of MMP-3 and MMP-13 activities without affecting the viability or morphology of IL-$1{\alpha}$-stimulated rabbit and human articular cartilage explants.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2005

We construct and test the polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) system for imaging porcine and human articular cartilages. PS-OCT is a new imaging technology that provides information regarding not only the tissue structures but tissue components that show birefringence such as collagen. In this study, we measure the cartilage thickness of the porcine joint and the phase retardation due to collagen birefringence. Also, we demonstrate that changes of the collagen fiber orientation could be detected by the PS-OCT system. Finally, differences between normal and damaged human articular cartilage are observed using the PS-OCT system, which is then compared with the regular histology pictures. As a result, the PS-OCT system is proven to be effective for diagnosis of the pathology related to the cartilage. In the future, this technology may be used for discrimination of the collagen types. When combined with endoscope technologies, the PS-OCT images may become a useful tool for in vivo tissue testing.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.83.1-83.12
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• 2023

Background: Ellipticine (Ellip.) was recently reported to have beneficial effects on the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into mature chondrocyte-like cells. On the other hand, no practical results have been derived from the transplantation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in a rabbit osteoarthritis (OA) model. Objectives: This study examined whether autologous BMSCs incubated with ellipticine (Ellip.+BMSCs) could regenerate articular cartilage in rabbit OA, a model similar to degenerative arthritis in human beings. Methods: A portion of rabbit articular cartilage was surgically removed, and Ellip.+BMSCs were transplanted into the lesion area. After two and four weeks of treatment, the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, i.e., tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), were analyzed, while macroscopic and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluations were conducted to determine the intensity of cartilage degeneration. Furthermore, immuno-blotting was performed to evaluate the mitogen-activated protein kinases, PI3K/Akt, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling in rabbit OA models. Histological staining was used to confirm the change in the pattern of collagen and proteoglycan in the articular cartilage matrix. Results: The transplantation of Ellip.+BMSCs elicited a chondroprotective effect by reducing the inflammatory factors (TNF-α, PGE2) in a time-dependent manner. Macroscopic observations, micro-CT, and histological staining revealed articular cartilage regeneration with the downregulation of matrix-metallo proteinases (MMPs), preventing articular cartilage degradation. Furthermore, histological observations confirmed a significant boost in the production of chondrocytes, collagen, and proteoglycan compared to the control group. Western blotting data revealed the downregulation of the p38, PI3K-Akt, and NF-κB inflammatory pathways to attenuate inflammation. Conclusions: The transplantation of Ellip.+BMSCs normalized the OA condition by boosting the recovery of degenerated articular cartilage and inhibiting the catabolic signaling pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.508-513
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• 2018

Fibronectin fragments found in the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) induce the catabolic responses in cartilage. Nuclear high-mobility group protein Box 1 (HMGB1), a damage-associated molecular pattern, is responsible for the regulation of signaling pathways related to cell death and survival in response to various stimuli. In this study, we investigated whether changes induced by 29-kDa amino-terminal fibronectin fragment (29-kDa FN-f) in HMGB1 expression influences the pathogenesis of OA via an HMGB1-modulated autophagy signaling pathway. Human articular chondrocytes were enzymatically isolated from articular cartilage. The level of mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of proteins was examined by western blot analysis, immnunofluorescence assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Interaction of proteins was evaluated by immunoprecipitation. The HMGB1 level was significantly lower in human OA cartilage than in normal cartilage. Although 29-kDa FN-f significantly reduced the HMGB1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels 6 h after treatment, the cytoplasmic level of HMGB1 was increased in chondrocytes treated with 29-kDa FN-f, which significantly inhibited the interaction of HMGB1 with Beclin-1, increased the interaction of Bcl-2 with Beclin-1, and decreased the levels of Beclin-1 and phosphorylated Bcl-2. In addition, the level of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II, an autophagy marker, was down-regulated in chondrocytes treated with 29-kDa FN-f, whereas the effect was antagonized by mTOR knockdown. Furthermore, prolonged treatment with 29-kDa FN-f significantly increased the release of HMGB1 into the culture medium. These results demonstrated that 29-kDa FN-f inhibits chondrocyte autophagy by modulating the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.637-644
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• 2008

Purpose: The survival of bone marrow derived stem cell was reported several times. But the survival of adipose tissue derived stem cells(hASCs) was not mentioned on. We studied the adipose tissue derived stem cell's survival and effect on articular cartilage in rabbits. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced in twenty New Zealand white rabbits by intraarticular injection of monosodium iodoacetate(MIA). After four weeks, hASCs were also injected into the knee joints space without any vehicle, but the control group received phosphate buffered saline only. The histologic grade of articular cartilage was measured in 4 and 8 weeks after the transplantation of hASC and the viability of injected stem cells measured by Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH) examination. Results: After 4 and 8 weeks from hASCs transplantation, histologic grade was not significantly difference between two groups(p>0.05), and the Y chromosome of the transplanted hASCs was not detected in articular cartilage. Conclusion: We found that direct injection of hASC in joint space didn't work on damaged articular cartilage repair.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.159-166
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• 2008

Articular cartilage is a unique tissue with no vascular, nerve, or lymphatic supply. This uniqueness may be one of the reasons why chondral injuries will hardly heal and may progress to osteoarthritis over time. Currently, there are several surgical options for the treatment of articular cartilage lesions. Although there is some discrepancy as to which procedures work best in certain patients. The spectrum of treatment alternatives for articular cartilage defects can range from simple lavage and debridement, drilling, micro-fracturing, and abrasion to osteochondral grafting and autologous chondrocyte implantation. In 1984, for the first time, results of autologous chondrocyte implantation in a rabbit model were presented, showing hyaline cartilage repair. Clinical study using autologous cultured chondrocyte implantation in chondral defects of the human knee has been reported in 23 patients in 1994. In 14 out of 16 patients treated for chondral injuries on the femoral condyles, the results were good to excellent. It is important for the surgeon to understand the autologous chondrocyte implantation technique and to be aware on the postoperative management. Attention to surgical technique and selection of appropriate patient for the autologous chondrocyte implantation will provide with the best results.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.43-47
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• 2015

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint disease in the world. With its progression, cartilage thickness tends to diminish, which causes severe pain to human being. One way to examine the stage of osteoarthritis is to measure the cartilage thickness. When it comes to inter-subject study, however, it is not easy task to compare cartilage thickness since every human being has different cartilage structure. In this paper, we propose a method to assess cartilage defect using MRI inter-subject thickness comparison. First, we used manual segmentation method to build accurate atlas images and each segmented image was labeled as articular surface and bone-cartilage interface in order to measure the thickness. Secondly, each point in the bone-cartilage interface was assigned the measured thickness so that the thickness does not change after registration. We used affine transformation and SyGN to get deformation fields which were then applied to thickness images to have cartilage thickness atlas. In this way, it is possible to investigate pixel-by-pixel thickness comparison. Lastly, the atlas images were made according to their osteoarthritis grade which indicates the degree of its progression. The result atlas images were compared using the analysis of variance in order to verify the validity of our method. The result shows that a significant difference is existed among them with p < 0.001.