A type II-collagen derived peptide and its nitrated form as new markers of inflammation and cartilage degradation in equine osteochondral lesions

Bifidobacterium longum BORI inhibits pain behavior and chondrocyte death, and attenuates osteoarthritis progression

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, is characterized by pain and cartilage damage; it usually exhibits gradual development. However, the pathogenesis of OA remains unclear. This study was undertaken to improve the understanding and treatment of OA. OA was induced in 7-week-old Wistar rats by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA); subsequently, the rats underwent oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum BORI (B. BORI). The effects of B. BORI were examined in chondrocytes and an MIA-induced OA rat model. In the rats, B. BORI-mediated effects on pain severity, cartilage destruction, and inflammation were recorded. Additional effects on mRNA and cytokine secretion were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Paw withdrawal threshold, paw withdrawal latency, and weight-bearing assessments revealed that pain severity in MIA-induced OA rats was decreased after B. BORI treatment. Histopathology analyses and three-dimensional surface renderings of rat femurs from micro-computed tomography images revealed cartilage protection and cartilage loss inhibition effects in B. BORI-treated OA rats. Immunohistochemical analyses of inflammatory cytokines and catabolic markers (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases) showed that the expression levels of both were reduced in tissue from B. BORI-treated OA rats. Furthermore, B. BORI treatment decreased the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and inflammatory gene factors (e.g., inflammatory cell death markers) in chondrocytes. The findings indicate that oral administration of B. BORI has therapeutic potential in terms of reducing pain, progression, and inflammation in OA.

Effect of Resveratrol on Serum Levels of Type II Collagen and Aggrecan in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Clinical Study

Treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) remains a challenging concern. Preclinical studies provided accumulating evidence on resveratrol efficacy in ameliorating degenerative articular damage. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of resveratrol as monotherapy on the serum level of type II collagen (Coll 2-1) and aggrecan in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study was an open-labeled noncontrolled clinical trial. Resveratrol 500 mg/day in a single oral dose was given to the patients with knee osteoarthritis for 90 days. The serum levels of Coll-2-1, aggrecan, and biomarkers of inflammation were measured pre- and posttreatment. Hematological profiles and both hepatic and renal function markers were investigated at the baseline and at the end of the treatment for evaluating the tolerability and safety of resveratrol. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for disease activity were clinically assessed monthly. Administration of 500 mg resveratrol for three months led to a nonsignificant decrease in the serum level of Coll 2-1 while a significant increase in aggrecan serum level. Resveratrol significantly improves pain score measured by VAS and KOOS after 30 days. Improvements in patients' activity and functional status were also evident at day 30 and kept on for three months which was reflected by KOOS subscale scores and with a significant improvement in all KOOS areas. In conclusion, oral administration of resveratrol as a monotherapy provides a remarkable improvement in the clinical status of the patients but has no significant effect on serum levels of Coll 2-1.

Effects of intra-articular administration of lidocaine, mepivacaine, and the preservative methyl parahydroxybenzoate on synovial fluid biomarkers of horses

OBJECTIVE

To compare the extent of inflammation and catabolic collagen response in the middle carpal joints (MCJs) of healthy horses following intra-articular injection of 2% lidocaine, 2% mepivacaine, lactated Ringer solution (LRS), or 0.1% methyl parahydroxybenzoate.

ANIMALS

17 adult horses.

PROCEDURES

In the first of 2 experiments, the left middle carpal joint (MCJ) of each of 12 horses was injected with 10 mL of 2% lidocaine (n = 3), 2% mepivacaine (3), or LRS (control; 6). After a 4-week washout period, the right MCJ of the horses that received lidocaine or mepivacaine was injected with 10 mL of LRS, and the right MCJ of horses that received LRS was injected with 10 mL of 2% lidocaine (n = 3) or 2% mepivacaine (3). In experiment 2, the left MCJ of each of 5 horses was injected with 10 mL of 0.1% methyl parahydroxybenzoate. After a 48-hour washout period, the right MCJ of each horse was injected with 10 mL of LRS. Synovial fluid (SF) samples were aseptically collected before and at predetermined times after each injection. Synovial fluid WBC count, neutrophil percentage, and total protein, neutrophil myeloperoxidase, neutrophil elastase, and Coll2-1 concentrations were compared among treatments.

RESULTS

Both lidocaine and mepivacaine induced SF changes indicative of inflammation and a catabolic collagen response, but the magnitude of those changes was more pronounced for lidocaine. Methyl parahydroxybenzoate did not cause any SF changes indicative of inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that mepivacaine was safer than lidocaine for intra-articular injection in horses.

Revisiting predictive biomarkers of musculoskeletal injury in thoroughbred racehorses: longitudinal study in polish population

BACKGROUND

High prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in racehorses and its impact on horse welfare and racing economics call for improved measures of injury diagnosis and prevention. Serum biomarkers of bone and cartilage metabolism have previously shown promise in prediction of musculoskeletal injuries in horses. This study aimed to re-evaluate usability of the predictive serum biomarkers identified in North American Thoroughbred racehorses in a geographically distinct group of Polish Thoroughbreds.

RESULTS

Serum concentrations of bone and cartilage biomarkers: osteocalcin, c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, total glycosaminoglycans (GAG), chondroitin sulfate epitope and c-propeptide of type II procollagen (CPII) were evaluated in the beginning and the next 3 months of one racing season in a cohort of twenty-six 2-year-old Polish racehorses. Exit criteria were diagnosis of musculoskeletal injury, leading to > 5 days off training (n = 8), or completion of 3 study months with no training interruptions (n = 18). Normalized results and matching archival data from 35 2-year-old North American racehorses was used for logistic regression analysis to identify universal predictors of injury. Mean GAG and CPII levels were lower in injured group comparing to control, which is consistent with previous findings in racehorses. These biomarkers were also identified as predictors of injury in the mixed population model. Population origin had no significant effect on predictive value of evaluated biomarkers (Wald test p = 0.137). Decreased osteocalcin and increased c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen levels in injured horses comparing to controls were specific for Polish population and signalized disruption in bone turnover homeostasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in serum GAG and CPII in racehorses at risk of injury appear to be similar across distinct populations while dynamics of serum bone marker is more population-specific.

Concentrations of stromal cell-derived factor-1 in serum, plasma, and synovial fluid of horses with osteochondral injury

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) concentrations in serum, plasma, and synovial fluid differed among untrained, race-trained, and osteochondral-injured Thoroughbred racehorses.

ANIMALS

22 racehorses without osteochondral injury and 37 racehorses with osteochondral injury.

PROCEDURES

Horses without osteochondral injury were examined before and after 5 to 6 months of race training. Horses with osteochondral injury were undergoing arthroscopic surgery for removal of osteochondral fragments from carpal or metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints (fetlock joints). Serum, plasma, and fetlock or carpal synovial fluid samples were obtained and analyzed for SDF-1 concentration by use of an ELISA.

RESULTS

In horses with fetlock or carpal joint injury, mean synovial fluid SDF-1 concentrations were significantly higher, serum SDF-1 concentrations were significantly lower, and synovial fluid-to-serum SDF-1 ratios were significantly higher than in untrained and trained horses. Synovial fluid SDF-1 concentrations were not significantly different between trained and untrained horses. Plasma SDF-1 concentrations were not different among the 3 groups. Results obtained with serum, compared with synovial fluid and plasma, had better sensitivity for differentiating between osteochondral-injured horses and uninjured horses. In horses with fetlock joint osteochondral injury, serum SDF-1 concentrations were correlated with radiographic and arthroscopic inflammation scores, but not arthroscopic cartilage scores.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that serum SDF-1 concentrations were more sensitive than plasma and synovial fluid concentrations for detection of osteochondral injury in the fetlock or carpal joint of racehorses. Analysis of serum and synovial SDF-1 concentrations in horses with experimentally induced joint injury may help define the onset and progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and aid in the evaluation of anti-inflammatory treatments.

Early decrease of serum biomarkers of type II collagen degradation (Coll2-1) and joint inflammation (Coll2-1 NO₂ ) by hyaluronic acid intra-articular injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a research study part of the Biovisco study

To measure the evolution of the serum levels of specific Osteoarthritis (OA) biomarker, Coll2-1 and Coll2-1 NO₂ in knee osteoarthritic patients after viscosupplementation (VS). Fifty-one patients with unilateral symptomatic knee were recruited for this prospective open label study. They received three intra-articular injections of 2 ml of hyaluronic acid (Hylan GF-20) and were followed for 3 months. Walking pain was evaluated and serum samples were taken at each visit. Coll2-1 and Coll2-1 NO₂ were measured in the serum using specific immunoassays. Variations over time of each parameter and predictive factor of response were studied. Forty-five patients were analyzed. The serum concentrations of Coll2-1 and Coll2-1 NO₂ were significantly higher in KL III/IV patients compared to KL I/II patients at baseline and decreased systematically over time after VS. Its effect was ever more pronounced in patients with KL III/IV. The serum concentration of Coll2-1 was significantly lower at baseline in responders than in non-responders. This study suggests a rapid slowdown of type II collagen degradation and joint inflammation after VS with Hylan G-20 and gives additional information for the validation of accurate biomarkers for OA. The serum level of Coll2-1 appeared to be a predictive factor for response to treatment.

Effects of strontium on collagen content and expression of related genes in rat chondrocytes cultured in vitro

Strontium stimulates cartilage matrix formation in vitro. However, the mechanisms governing these effects have not yet been extensively reported. In this study, chondrocytes were isolated from rat articular cartilage by enzymatic digestion and cultured for 24-72 h with 1-5 mM strontium. We investigated the effects of different concentrations of strontium on collagen content, type II collagen, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 expression in rat cultured articular chondrocytes in vitro. The collagen content of the chondrocytes, determined as hydroxyproline, was measured by a colorimetry method. Type II collagen, IGF-1, and MMP-13 mRNA abundance and protein expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and western blot, respectively. The results showed that collagen content from the chondrocytes extracellular matrix increased with increasing strontium concentration. Moreover, 3 and 5 mM strontium strongly stimulated protein expression and mRNA levels of type II collagen and IGF-1. Conversely, MMP-13 expression in chondrocytes decreased dose-dependently with increasing strontium concentration. These results should provide insight into the ability of strontium to promote chondrocyte extracellular matrix synthesis. Strontium could promote collagen synthesis and suppress collagen degradation via the repression of MMP-13 expression.

Effect of copper on levels of collagen and alkaline phosphatase activity from chondrocytes in newborn piglets in vitro

The effects of different concentrations of copper on collagen content and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity from chondrocytes in newborn piglets were measured. Chondrocytes were cultured in media containing 15% fetal calf serum supplemented with 0, 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper in a 12-well culture plate. Collagen content and AKP activity from the chondrocyte extracellular matrix increased significantly in the culture media with 15.6, 31.2, and 62.5 μmol/L copper and was the highest at 31.2 μmol/L copper (P < 0.05). Thus, the results indicated that copper could promote AKP activity and collagen production by chondrocytes.

Relationship between arthroscopic joint evaluation and the levels of Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO(2), and myeloperoxidase in the blood and synovial fluid of horses affected with osteochondrosis of the tarsocrural joint

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the levels of plasmatic and synovial Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO(2) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in horses with osteochondral lesions of the tarsocrural joint and to investigate how these levels relate to arthroscopic findings of inflammation and degeneration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Venous blood and synovial fluid samples were collected from 63 horses presented for arthroscopic removal of osteochondral fragments in the tarsocrural joint. Prior to removal of the osteochondral fragment, an exploration of the joint was performed and an inflammatory and degenerative score was determined. The blood and synovial levels of Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO(2) and MPO were also measured. The effects of the arthroscopic evaluation (inflammatory and degenerative classes) on the blood and synovial markers were evaluated using a linear model (GLM procedure), and correlations between biochemical markers in the blood and synovial fluid and the arthroscopic evaluation (inflammatory and degenerative classes) were established (Pearson's correlations).

RESULTS

Significantly higher levels of Coll2-1 were detected in synovial fluid of higher degenerative classes. There was a significant correlation between the degenerative score and the synovial levels of Coll2-1 (r=0.27). According to the logistic regression model, there was a significant effect of the degenerative class on synovial levels of Coll2-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Coll2-1 correlates well with the degenerative state of tarsocrural joints as evaluated by arthroscopy. This marker can therefore be classified as a burden-of-disease marker in the assessment of joint disease in horses.

Coll2-1, Coll2-1NO2 and myeloperoxidase concentrations in the synovial fluid of equine tarsocrural joints affected with osteochondrosis

The measurement of biomarkers that reflect cartilage breakdown is a powerful tool for investigating joint damage caused by disease or injury. Particularly in cases of osteochondrosis, synovial concentrations of these biomarkers may reveal the presence of osteoarthritic changes. Coll2-1, Coll2-1 NO2 and myeloperoxidase have recently been introduced in equine osteoarticular research but comparison between the concentrations of these markers in OCD affected and healthy joints has not been made. Therefore, this study aimed at reporting the synovial concentrations of these biomarkers in joints affected with osteochondral fragments in the tarsocrural joint compared to unaffected joints. Myeloperoxidase and Coll2-1NO2 revealed to have similar levels between affected joints and controls. However, in contrast to previous studies using C2C the present study demonstrated that synovial levels of Coll2-1 were significantly elevated in tarsocrural joints affected with osteochondrosis. Thus, Coll2-1 may be an earlier marker of cartilage degeneration than other cartilage degradation markers that have been previously used in equine medicine.

Associations of horse age, joint type, and osteochondral injury with serum and synovial fluid concentrations of type II collagen biomarkers in Thoroughbreds

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of horse age, osteochondral injury, and joint type on a synthesis biomarker and 3 degradative biomarkers of type II collagen in Thoroughbreds.

ANIMALS

Healthy rested adult (3- to 12-year-old) Thoroughbreds (n = 19), yearling (1- to 2-year-old) Thoroughbreds (40), and Thoroughbred racehorses (2 to 7 years old) undergoing arthroscopic surgery for removal of osteochondral fragments that resulted from training or racing (41).

PROCEDURES

Samples of blood and metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, or carpal joint synovial fluid (SF) were collected from all horses. Commercially available assays were used to analyze SF and serum concentrations of type II collagen biomarkers of synthesis (carboxy propeptide of type II collagen [CPII]) and degradation (cross-linked C-telopeptide fragments of type II collagen [CTX II], neoepitope generated by collagenase cleavage of type I and II collagen [C1,2C], and neoepitope generated by collagenase cleavage of type II collagen [C2C]).

RESULTS

Osteochondral injury affected concentrations of CPII, CTX II, C1,2C, and C2C in SF, serum, or both, compared with concentrations in healthy adult horses. Compared with adult horses, yearling horses had increased SF or serum concentrations of degradative biomarkers (CTX II, C1,2C, and C2C). Concentrations were higher in carpal than metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints for all biomarkers in osteochondral-injured horses. Variable differences in SF concentrations between joint types were detected in healthy adult and yearling horses.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Horse age, osteochondral injury, and joint type all significantly affected type II collagen biomarker concentrations in SF and serum of Thoroughbreds.

Relationship between biochemical markers and radiographic scores in the evaluation of the osteoarticular status of Warmblood stallions

Establishing the osteoarticular status of the horse is often performed by means of radiological screening of the animals. Widespread blood sampling could reveal to be an interesting alternative to this procedure which is time consuming and sometimes technically difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiological status of the horses and the levels of biochemical markers of cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. A specific radiological scoring and classification system was therefore developed and applied on 63 stallions presented for studbook admission. Additionally, groups of horses were established according to the occurrence of osteochondrosis, degenerative joint disease and distal interphalangeal joint effusion. Insulin growth factor-I, myeloperoxidases, Coll2-1 and Coll2-1NO(2) were used as blood markers. The combination of the blood parameters did not seem to correlate with the used scoring system. Coll2-1NO(2) levels however tended to increase with poorer radiological class and this could therefore potentially be a useful predictor of the osteoarticular status in the horse. Coll2-1 levels were significantly higher in the degenerative joint disease group. A high percentage of horses with distal interphalangeal joint effusion was present in this study and was associated with decreased IGF-I and increased Coll2-1 levels.

Joint dependent concentrations of bone alkaline phosphatase in serum and synovial fluids of horses with osteochondral injury: an analytical and clinical validation

OBJECTIVES

Validate use of a commercially available immunoassay for measurement of bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) in equine serum and synovial fluid (SF), and investigate the effects of osteochondral (OC) injury in horses on BAP concentrations in serum and SF.

METHODS

SF was collected from 37 joints of 34 Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery for the removal of OC fragments from either the carpal joints (n=18) or the metacarpo-/metatarsophalangeal (MP) joints (n=19). SF was also obtained from 52 joints of 16 normal TB horses, collected bilaterally from carpal joints of 10 horses (n=40), and MP joints of six horses (n=12). Blood was obtained from all 50 horses. A commercially available immunoassay was validated and subsequently used to determine equine serum and SF BAP concentrations. Correlations to radiographic and arthroscopic scores were assessed.

RESULTS

BAP concentrations were significantly lower in serum from horses with OC injury in their carpal or MP joints than in serum from normal horses. SF BAP concentrations in normal and OC injured carpal joints were significantly higher than MP joints. BAP concentrations were significantly higher in SF from OC injured carpal joints than normal. BAP concentrations were affected by joint sampled, with age having a significant interaction. Concentrations of BAP in the serum (<30U/L), SF (>22U/L) and a ratio of SF to serum > or = 0.5 were predictive of OC injury. Radiographic and arthroscopic scores significantly correlated with serum BAP concentrations, and SF:serum BAP correlated with arthroscopic scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of serum and SF BAP concentrations may be beneficial in the investigation of early joint injury. Joint and injury dependent differences in BAP concentrations allowed the estimation of predictive value for identifying OC injury.