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Lee FS, Cruz CJ, Allen KD, Wachs RA. Gait assessment in a female rat Sprague Dawley model of disc-associated low back pain. Connect Tissue Res 2024:1-14. [PMID: 39287332 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2024.2395287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Gait disturbances are common in human low back pain (LBP) patients, suggesting potential applicability to rodent LBP models. This study aims to assess the influence of disc-associated LBP on gait in female Sprague Dawley rats and explore the utility of the open-source Gait Analysis Instrumentation and Technology Optimized for Rodents (GAITOR) suite as a potential alternative tool for spontaneous pain assessment in a previously established LBP model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Disc degeneration was surgically induced using a one-level disc scrape injury method, and microcomputed tomography was used to assess disc volume loss. After disc injury, axial hypersensitivity was evaluated using the grip strength assay, and an open field test was used to detect spontaneous pain-like behavior. RESULTS Results demonstrated that injured animals exhibit a significant loss in disc volume and reduced grip strength. Open field test did not detect significant differences in distance traveled between sham and injured animals. Concurrently, animals with injured discs did not display significant gait abnormalities in stance time imbalance, temporal symmetry, spatial symmetry, step width, stride length, and duty factor compared to sham. However, comparisons with reference values of normal gait reported in prior literature reveal that injured animals exhibit mild deviations in forelimb and hindlimb stance time imbalance, forelimb temporal symmetry, and hindlimb spatial symmetry at some time points. CONCLUSIONS This study concludes that the disc injury may have very mild effects on gait in female rats within 9 weeks post-injury and recommends future in depth dynamic gait analysis and longer studies beyond 9 weeks to potentially detect gait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei San Lee
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Carlos J Cruz
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kyle D Allen
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wachs
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
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Dewberry LS, Porche K, Koenig T, Allen KD, Otto KJ. High frequency alternating current neurostimulation decreases nocifensive behavior in a disc herniation model of lumbar radiculopathy. Bioelectron Med 2023; 9:15. [PMID: 37434246 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-023-00119-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate if kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) stimulation of peripheral nerve could serve as a treatment for lumbar radiculopathy. Prior work shows that KHFAC stimulation can treat sciatica resulting from chronic sciatic nerve constriction. Here, we evaluate if KHFAC stimulation is also beneficial in a more physiologic model of low back pain which mimics nucleus pulposus (NP) impingement of a lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG). METHODS To mimic a lumbar radiculopathy, autologous tail NP was harvested and placed upon the right L5 nerve root and DRG. During the same surgery, a cuff electrode was implanted around the sciatic nerve with wires routed to a headcap for delivery of KHFAC stimulation. Male Lewis rats (3 mo., n = 18) were separated into 3 groups: NP injury + KHFAC stimulation (n = 7), NP injury + sham cuff (n = 6), and sham injury + sham cuff (n = 5). Prior to surgery and for 2 weeks following surgery, animal tactile sensitivity, gait, and static weight bearing were evaluated. RESULTS KHFAC stimulation of the sciatic nerve decreased behavioral evidence of pain and disability. Without KHFAC stimulation, injured animals had heightened tactile sensitivity compared to baseline (p < 0.05), with tactile allodynia reversed during KHFAC stimulation (p < 0.01). Midfoot flexion during locomotion was decreased after injury but improved with KHFAC stimulation (p < 0.05). Animals also placed more weight on their injured limb when KHFAC stimulation was applied (p < 0.05). Electrophysiology measurements at end point showed decreased, but not blocked, compound nerve action potentials with KHFAC stimulation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS KHFAC stimulation decreases hypersensitivity but does not cause additional gait compensations. This supports the idea that KHFAC stimulation applied to a peripheral nerve may be able to treat chronic pain resulting from sciatic nerve root inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Savannah Dewberry
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. JG56, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Ken Porche
- Lillian S Wells Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Florida, College of Medicine, 1505 SW Archer Road Gainesville, FL, 32608, Gainesville, USA
| | - Travis Koenig
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. JG56, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Kyle D Allen
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. JG56, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence, University of Florida, CTSI 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kevin J Otto
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Dr. JG56, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Dr. L1-100, P.O. Box 100244, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, 968 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Florida, 1030 Center Drive, P.O. Box 116005, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, 549 Gale Lemerand Dr, P.O. Box 116400, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
- Department of Neurology, 1149 Newell Dr, P.O. Box 100236, Gainesville, FL, L3-10032610, USA.
- Nanoscience Institute for Medical and Engineering Technology (NIMET), University of Florida, 1041 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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Lin JH, Chen CC. Current challenges in diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy. World J Anesthesiol 2018; 7:20-23. [DOI: 10.5313/wja.v7.i3.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lumbar radiculopathy (LR) is a term used to describe a pain syndrome caused by compression or irritation of nerve roots in the lower back. The surgery cost for LR increased by 23% annually during 1992-2003 in the developed country. Although it is one of most common complaints in clinical practice, the diagnosis for LR is still very challenging. Here we discuss the current tools of LR diagnosis and highlight the needs to develop new diagnosis tools for LR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiann-Her Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Cheng Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lakes EH, Allen KD. Quadrupedal rodent gait compensations in a low dose monoiodoacetate model of osteoarthritis. Gait Posture 2018; 63:73-79. [PMID: 29723651 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent gait analysis provides robust, quantitative results for preclinical musculoskeletal and neurological models. In prior work, surgical models of osteoarthritis have been found to result in a hind limb shuffle-stepping gait compensation, while a high dose monoiodoacetate (MIA, 3 mg) model resulted in a hind limb antalgic gait. However, it is unknown whether the antalgic gait caused by MIA is associated with severity of degeneration from the high dosage or the whole-joint degeneration associated with glycolysis inhibition. RESEARCH QUESTION This study evaluates rodent gait changes resulting from a low dose, 1 mg unilateral intra-articular injection of MIA compared to saline injected and naïve rats. METHODS Spatiotemporal and dynamic gait parameters were collected from a total of 42 male Lewis rats spread across 3 time points: 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-injection. To provide a detailed analysis of this low dose MIA model, gait analysis was used to uniquely quantify both fore and hind limb gait parameters. RESULTS Our data indicate that 1 mg of MIA caused relatively minor degeneration and a shuffle-step gait compensation, similar to the compensation observed in prior surgical models. SIGNIFICANCE These data from a 1 mg MIA model show a different gait compensation compared to a previously studied 3 mg model. This 1 mg MIA model resulted in gait compensations more similar to a previously studied surgical model of osteoarthritis. Additionally, this study provides detailed 4 limb analysis of rodent gait that includes spatiotemporal and dynamic data from the same gait trial. These data highlight the importance of measuring dynamic data in combination with spatiotemporal data, since compensatory gait patterns may not be captured by spatial, temporal, or dynamic characterizations alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily H Lakes
- J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Institute for Cell & Tissue Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Kyle D Allen
- J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States; Institute for Cell & Tissue Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
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Shamji MF, Guha D, Paul D, Shcharinsky A. Systemic Inflammatory and Th17 Immune Activation among Patients Treated for Lumbar Radiculopathy Exceeds that of Patients Treated for Persistent Postoperative Neuropathic Pain. Neurosurgery 2018; 81:537-544. [PMID: 28591802 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyx052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathophysiology of lumbar radiculopathy includes both mechanical compression and biochemical irritation of apposed neural elements. Inflammatory and immune cytokines have been implicated, induced by systemic exposure of immune-privileged intervertebral disc tissue. Surgical intervention provides improved symptoms and quality of life, but persistent postoperative neuropathic pain (PPNP) afflicts a significant fraction of patients. OBJECTIVE To compare the inflammatory and immune phenotypes among patients undergoing structural surgery for lumbar radiculopathy and spinal cord stimulation for neuropathic pain. METHODS Consecutive patients undergoing surgical intervention for lumbar radiculopathy or neuropathic pain were studied. Demographic data included age, gender, and VAS and neuropathic pain scores. Serum was evaluated for cytokine levels (IL-6, Il-17, TNF-α) and cellular content [white blood cell (WBC)/differential, lymphocyte subtypes]. The primary analysis differentiated molecular and cellular profiles between radiculopathy and neuropathic pain patients. Subgroup analysis within the surgical radiculopathy population compared those patients achieving relief of symptoms and those with PPNP. RESULTS Heightened IL-6, Il-17, and TNF-α levels were observed for the lumbar radiculopathy group compared with the neuropathic pain group. This was complemented by higher WBC count and a greater fraction of Th17 lymphocytes among radiculopathy patients. In the lumbar discectomy subgroup, pain relief was seen among patients with preoperatively elevated IL-17 levels. Those patients with PPNP refractory to surgical discectomy exhibited normal cytokine levels. CONCLUSION Differences in Th17 immune activation are seen among radiculopathy and neuropathic pain patients. These cellular and molecular profiles may be translated into biomarkers to improve patient selection for structural spine surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed F Shamji
- Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto West-ern Hospital Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daipayan Guha
- Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto West-ern Hospital Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darcia Paul
- Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto West-ern Hospital Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alina Shcharinsky
- Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto West-ern Hospital Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hsu WK, Goldstein CL, Shamji MF, Cho SK, Arnold PM, Fehlings MG, Mroz TE. Novel Osteobiologics and Biomaterials in the Treatment of Spinal Disorders. Neurosurgery 2017; 80:S100-S107. [PMID: 28350951 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyw085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal osteobiologics have evolved substantially in this century after the development of many product categories such as growth factors, allograft, and stem cells. The indications for the use of novel biologics within spine surgery are rapidly expanding as the mechanism of each is elucidated. While the knowledge base of bone morphogenetic protein increases with each subsequent year, the application of new nanotechnology and cell-based strategies are being reported. This review will discuss the most recent data in novel osteobiologics, and where we could use future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wellington K Hsu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Mohammed F Shamji
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sam K Cho
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Paul M Arnold
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tom E Mroz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
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Measurement of mechanical withdrawal thresholds and gait analysis using the CatWalk method in a nucleus pulposus-applied rodent model. J Exp Orthop 2017; 4:31. [PMID: 28971381 PMCID: PMC5624862 DOI: 10.1186/s40634-017-0105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There are some previous reports of gait analysis using a rodent pain model. Applying the CatWalk method, objective measurements of pain-related behavior could be evaluated, but this method has not been investigated using the nucleus pulposus (NP) applied model, which was developed as a model of lumber disc herniation. We aimed to measure mechanical withdrawal thresholds and analyze gait patterns using the CatWalk method for the evaluation of the pain-related behavior caused by NP application. Methods Twenty-four nine-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups, the NP group (n = 12), in which autologous NP from the tail was applied to the left L5 dorsal root ganglion, and the sham-operated group (n = 12). Measurements of mechanical withdrawal thresholds were performed using von Frey filaments touching the left footpads, and gait analysis was performed using the CatWalk method. These experiments were conducted 1 day before surgery and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after surgery. Data were statistically analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results The NP group showed significantly lower withdrawal thresholds than the sham group at days 14 and 21. Stand (duration of contact of a paw with the glass plate) was significantly higher in the NP group at days 7 and 14, whereas step cycle (duration between two consecutive initial contacts of the same paw) and duty cycle (stand as a percentage of step cycle) were the same at day 7. Long initial dual stance (duration of ground contact for both hind paws simultaneously, but the first one in a step cycle of a target hind paw) of the right hind paw was measured at days 7 and 14. The left hind paw per right hind paw ratio of the stand index (speed at which the paw loses contact with the glass plate) and mean intensity (mean intensity of the complete paw) changed at day 7 or 14. Phase dispersion (parameter describing the temporal relationship between placement of two paws) of the hind paws decreased at day 7. Conclusions Rats with applied NP showed a decreased withdrawal threshold and abnormal gait. The differences in gait parameters between the NP and sham groups were observed at an earlier time point than the withdrawal thresholds. Gait analysis could be an effective method for understanding pain caused by applied NP.
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Kloefkorn HE, Pettengill TR, Turner SMF, Streeter KA, Gonzalez-Rothi EJ, Fuller DD, Allen KD. Automated Gait Analysis Through Hues and Areas (AGATHA): A Method to Characterize the Spatiotemporal Pattern of Rat Gait. Ann Biomed Eng 2017; 45:711-725. [PMID: 27554674 PMCID: PMC5323432 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-016-1717-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
While rodent gait analysis can quantify the behavioral consequences of disease, significant methodological differences exist between analysis platforms and little validation has been performed to understand or mitigate these sources of variance. By providing the algorithms used to quantify gait, open-source gait analysis software can be validated and used to explore methodological differences. Our group is introducing, for the first time, a fully-automated, open-source method for the characterization of rodent spatiotemporal gait patterns, termed Automated Gait Analysis Through Hues and Areas (AGATHA). This study describes how AGATHA identifies gait events, validates AGATHA relative to manual digitization methods, and utilizes AGATHA to detect gait compensations in orthopaedic and spinal cord injury models. To validate AGATHA against manual digitization, results from videos of rodent gait, recorded at 1000 frames per second (fps), were compared. To assess one common source of variance (the effects of video frame rate), these 1000 fps videos were re-sampled to mimic several lower fps and compared again. While spatial variables were indistinguishable between AGATHA and manual digitization, low video frame rates resulted in temporal errors for both methods. At frame rates over 125 fps, AGATHA achieved a comparable accuracy and precision to manual digitization for all gait variables. Moreover, AGATHA detected unique gait changes in each injury model. These data demonstrate AGATHA is an accurate and precise platform for the analysis of rodent spatiotemporal gait patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi E Kloefkorn
- J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, Biomedical Sciences Building, JG56, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Travis R Pettengill
- J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, Biomedical Sciences Building, JG56, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Sara M F Turner
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kristi A Streeter
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - David D Fuller
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kyle D Allen
- J Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, 1275 Center Drive, Biomedical Sciences Building, JG56, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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Likhitpanichkul M, Torre OM, Gruen J, Walter BA, Hecht AC, Iatridis JC. Do mechanical strain and TNF-α interact to amplify pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human annulus fibrosus cells? J Biomech 2016; 49:1214-1220. [PMID: 26924657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2016.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
During intervertebral disc (IVD) injury and degeneration, annulus fibrosus (AF) cells experience large mechanical strains in a pro-inflammatory milieu. We hypothesized that TNF-α, an initiator of IVD inflammation, modifies AF cell mechanobiology via cytoskeletal changes, and interacts with mechanical strain to enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Human AF cells (N=5, Thompson grades 2-4) were stretched uniaxially on collagen-I coated chambers to 0%, 5% (physiological) or 15% (pathologic) strains at 0.5Hz for 24h under hypoxic conditions with or without TNF-α (10ng/mL). AF cells were treated with anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-6. ELISA assessed IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 production and immunocytochemistry measured F-actin, vinculin and α-tubulin in AF cells. TNF-α significantly increased AF cell pro-inflammatory cytokine production compared to basal conditions (IL-1β:2.0±1.4-84.0±77.3, IL-6:10.6±9.9-280.9±214.1, IL-8:23.9±26.0-5125.1±4170.8pg/ml for basal and TNF-α treatment, respectively) as expected, but mechanical strain did not. Pathologic strain in combination with TNF-α increased IL-1β, and IL-8 but not IL-6 production of AF cells. TNF-α treatment altered F-actin and α-tubulin in AF cells, suggestive of altered cytoskeletal stiffness. Anti-TNF-α (infliximab) significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production while anti-IL-6 (atlizumab) did not. In conclusion, TNF-α altered AF cell mechanobiology with cytoskeletal remodeling that potentially sensitized AF cells to mechanical strain and increased TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Results suggest an interaction between TNF-α and mechanical strain and future mechanistic studies are required to validate these observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morakot Likhitpanichkul
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Olivia M Torre
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Jadry Gruen
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - Benjamin A Walter
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Andrew C Hecht
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, United States.
| | - James C Iatridis
- Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Box 1188, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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Pardes AM, Freedman BR, Soslowsky LJ. Ground reaction forces are more sensitive gait measures than temporal parameters in rodents following rotator cuff injury. J Biomech 2015; 49:376-81. [PMID: 26768230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2015.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Gait analysis is a quantitative, non-invasive technique that can be used to investigate functional changes in animal models of musculoskeletal disease. Changes in ground reaction forces following injury have been observed that coincide with differences in tissue mechanical and histological properties during healing. However, measurement of these kinetic gait parameters can be laborious compared to the simpler and less time-consuming analysis of temporal gait parameters alone. We compared the sensitivity of temporal and kinetic gait parameters in detecting functional changes following rotator cuff injury in rats. Although these parameters were strongly correlated, temporal measures were unable to detect greater than 50% of the functional gait differences between injured and uninjured animals identified simultaneously by ground reaction forces. Regression analysis was used to predict ground reaction forces from temporal parameters. This model improved the ability of temporal parameters to identify known functional changes, but only when these differences were large in magnitude (i.e., between injured vs. uninjured animals, but not between different post-operative treatments). The results of this study suggest that ground reaction forces are more sensitive measures of limb/joint function than temporal parameters following rotator cuff injury in rats. Therefore, although gait analysis systems without force plates are typically efficient and easy to use, they may be most appropriate for use when major functional changes are expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Pardes
- McKay Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - B R Freedman
- McKay Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - L J Soslowsky
- McKay Orthopaedic Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Spatiotemporal gait compensations following medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus injury in the rat: correlating gait patterns to joint damage. Arthritis Res Ther 2015; 17:287. [PMID: 26462474 PMCID: PMC4604628 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-015-0791-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction After transection of the medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus (MCLT + MMT) in the rat, focal cartilage lesions develop over 4–6 weeks; however, sham surgery (MCLT alone) does not result in cartilage damage over a similar period. Thus, comparison of MCLT + MMT with the MCLT sham group offers an opportunity to investigate behavioral modifications related to focal cartilage and meniscus damage in the rat. Methods MCLT or MCLT + MMT surgery was performed in the right knees of male Lewis rats, with spatiotemporal gait patterns and hind limb sensitivity assessed at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks postsurgery (n = 8 rats per group per time point, n = 64 total). After the animals were euthanized, Histology was performed to assess joint damage. Results MCLT + MMT animals had unilateral gait compensations at early time points, but by week 6 bilateral gait compensations had developed in both the MCLT sham and MCLT + MMT groups. Conversely, heightened tactile sensitivity was detected in both MCLT sham and MCLT + MMT animals at week 1, but only the MCLT + MMT animals maintained heightened sensitivity to week 6. Cartilage lesions were found in the MCLT + MMT group but not in the MCLT sham group. Correlations could be identified between joint damage and gait changes in MCLT + MMT animals; however, the same gait changes were found with MCLT sham animals despite a lack of joint damage. Conclusions Combined, our data highlight a common conundrum in osteoarthritis (OA) research: Some behavioral changes correlate to cartilage damage in the OA group, but the same changes can be identified in non-OA controls. Of the behavioral changes detected, allodynia was maintained in MCLT + MMT animals but not in the MCLT sham group. However, the correlation between cartilage damage and hind limb sensitivity is relatively weak (R = −0.4498), and the range of sensitivity measures overlaps between groups. The factors driving gait abnormalities in MCLT and MCLT + MMT animals also remain uncertain. The gait modifications are similar between groups and do not appear until weeks after surgery, despite cartilage damage being focused in the MCLT + MMT group. Combined, our data highlight the need to evaluate the links between noncartilage changes and behavioral changes following joint injury in the rat. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0791-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Abstract
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily seek treatment due to pain and disability, yet the primary endpoints for rodent OA models tend to be histological measures of joint destruction. The discrepancy between clinical and preclinical evaluations is problematic, given that radiographic evidence of OA in humans does not always correlate to the severity of patient-reported symptoms. Recent advances in behavioral analyses have provided new methods to evaluate disease sequelae in rodents. Of particular relevance to rodent OA models are methods to assess rodent gait. While obvious differences exist between quadrupedal and bipedal gait sequences, the gait abnormalities seen in humans and in rodent OA models reflect similar compensatory behaviors that protect an injured limb from loading. The purpose of this review is to describe these compensations and current methods used to assess rodent gait characteristics, while detailing important considerations for the selection of gait analysis methods in rodent OA models.
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Tsai CF, Wang KT, Chen LG, Lee CJ, Tseng SH, Wang CC. Anti-inflammatory effects of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana on knee damage associated with arthritis. J Med Food 2015; 17:479-86. [PMID: 24720858 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitis thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. var. taiwaniana Lu (VT) is an indigenous plant in Taiwan that is traditionally used for promoting joint health. In this study, we used in vitro primary human chondrocytes (PHCs) and two in vivo animal models to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of VT on arthritis. Results showed that the water extract of the stems and roots from VT (VT-SR) was rich in flavones and phenols with 1.1 mg/g of resveratrol, 6.7 mg/g of hopeaphenol, and 5.1 mg/g of (+)-ɛ-viniferin. VT-SR significantly scavenged DPPH radicals and inhibited prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PHCs without exhibiting significant cytotoxicity. In in vivo models, the VT-SR (500 mg/kg) significantly decreased serum PGE2 and knee 2-(18)F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) levels in LPS-induced acute inflammatory arthritis in rabbits. In addition, dietary supplementation with VT-SR for 28 days significantly alleviated type II collagenase-induced rat osteoarthritis with improvements in weight bearing and range of motion tests. In conclusion, our results suggest that the VT-SR is a good candidate for developing dietary supplements to prevent joint deterioration and inhibit inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Fent Tsai
- 1 Department of Orthopedics, New Taipei City Hospital , New Taipei City, Taiwan
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Lin JH, Chiang YH, Chen CC. Lumbar radiculopathy and its neurobiological basis. World J Anesthesiol 2014; 3:162-173. [DOI: 10.5313/wja.v3.i2.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/11/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lumbar radiculopathy, a group of diseases in which the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) or dorsal roots are adversely affected by herniated discs or spinal stenosis, are clinically characterized by spontaneous and evoked types of pain. The pain is underpinned by various distinct pathophysiological mechanisms in the peripheral and central nervous systems. However, the diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy is still unsatisfactory, because the association of the pain with the neurobiological basis of radiculopathy is largely unknown. Several animal models used to explore the underlying neurobiological basis of lumbar radiculopathy could be classified as mechanical, chemical, or both based on the component of injury. Mechanical injury elevates the intraneural pressure, reduces blood flow, and eventually establishes ischemia in the dorsal root and the DRG. Ischemia may induce ischemic pain and cause nerve damage or death, and the subsequent nerve damage or death may induce neuropathic pain. Chemical injury predominately induces inflammation surrounding the dorsal roots or DRG and consequent inflammatory mediators cause inflammatory pain. Furthermore, DRG neurons sensitized by inflammatory mediators are hypersensitive to innocuous mechanical force (stretch or compression) and responsible for mechanical allodynia in radiculopathy. As well, central sensitization in the spinal cord may play an important role in pain generation in lumbar radiculopathy. Increasing knowledge of pain-generating mechanisms and their translation into clinical symptoms and signs might allow for dissecting the mechanisms that operate in each patient. With precise clinical phenotypic characterization of lumbar radiculopathy and its connection to a specific underlying mechanism, we should be able to design optimal treatments for individuals. This review discusses the present knowledge of lumbar radiculopathy and proposes a novel mechanism-based classification.
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15
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Risbud MV, Shapiro IM. Role of cytokines in intervertebral disc degeneration: pain and disc content. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2013; 10:44-56. [PMID: 24166242 DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2013.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1094] [Impact Index Per Article: 99.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Degeneration of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) is a major contributor to back, neck and radicular pain. IVD degeneration is characterized by increases in levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17 secreted by the IVD cells; these cytokines promote extracellular matrix degradation, chemokine production and changes in IVD cell phenotype. The resulting imbalance in catabolic and anabolic responses leads to the degeneration of IVD tissues, as well as disc herniation and radicular pain. The release of chemokines from degenerating discs promotes the infiltration and activation of immune cells, further amplifying the inflammatory cascade. Leukocyte migration into the IVD is accompanied by the appearance of microvasculature tissue and nerve fibres. Furthermore, neurogenic factors, generated by both disc and immune cells, induce expression of pain-associated cation channels in the dorsal root ganglion. Depolarization of these ion channels is likely to promote discogenic and radicular pain, and reinforce the cytokine-mediated degenerative cascade. Taken together, an enhanced understanding of the contribution of cytokines and immune cells to these catabolic, angiogenic and nociceptive processes could provide new targets for the treatment of symptomatic disc disease. In this Review, the role of key inflammatory cytokines during each of the individual phases of degenerative disc disease, as well as the outcomes of major clinical studies aimed at blocking cytokine function, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makarand V Risbud
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, 1025 Walnut Street, 511 College Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Irving M Shapiro
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Jefferson Medical College, 1025 Walnut Street, 511 College Building, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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Sinclair SM, Bhattacharyya J, McDaniel JR, Gooden DM, Gopalaswamy R, Chilkoti A, Setton LA. A genetically engineered thermally responsive sustained release curcumin depot to treat neuroinflammation. J Control Release 2013; 171:38-47. [PMID: 23830979 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2013.06.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Radiculopathy, a painful neuroinflammation that can accompany intervertebral disc herniation, is associated with locally increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Systemic administration of TNF antagonists for radiculopathy in the clinic has shown mixed results, and there is growing interest in the local delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs to treat this pathology as well as similar inflammatory events of peripheral nerve injury. Curcumin, a known antagonist of TNFα in multiple cell types and tissues, was chemically modified and conjugated to a thermally responsive elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) to create an injectable depot for sustained, local delivery of curcumin to treat neuroinflammation. ELPs are biopolymers capable of thermally-triggered in situ depot formation that have been successfully employed as drug carriers and biomaterials in several applications. ELP-curcumin conjugates were shown to display high drug loading, rapidly release curcumin in vitro via degradable carbamate bonds, and retain in vitro bioactivity against TNFα-induced cytotoxicity and monocyte activation with IC50 only two-fold higher than curcumin. When injected proximal to the sciatic nerve in mice via intramuscular (i.m.) injection, ELP-curcumin conjugates underwent a thermally triggered soluble-insoluble phase transition, leading to in situ formation of a depot that released curcumin over 4days post-injection and decreased plasma AUC 7-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Michael Sinclair
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, 136 Hudson Hall, Box 90281, Durham 27708, USA.
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17
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Roach GC, Edke M, Griffin TM. A novel mouse running wheel that senses individual limb forces: biomechanical validation and in vivo testing. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012; 113:627-35. [PMID: 22723628 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00272.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomechanical data provide fundamental information about changes in musculoskeletal function during development, adaptation, and disease. To facilitate the study of mouse locomotor biomechanics, we modified a standard mouse running wheel to include a force-sensitive rung capable of measuring the normal and tangential forces applied by individual paws. Force data were collected throughout the night using an automated threshold trigger algorithm that synchronized force data with wheel-angle data and a high-speed infrared video file. During the first night of wheel running, mice reached consistent running speeds within the first 40 force events, indicating a rapid habituation to wheel running, given that mice generated >2,000 force-event files/night. Average running speeds and peak normal and tangential forces were consistent throughout the first four nights of running, indicating that one night of running is sufficient to characterize the locomotor biomechanics of healthy mice. Twelve weeks of wheel running significantly increased spontaneous wheel-running speeds (16 vs. 37 m/min), lowered duty factors (ratio of foot-ground contact time to stride time; 0.71 vs. 0.58), and raised hindlimb peak normal forces (93 vs. 115% body wt) compared with inexperienced mice. Peak normal hindlimb-force magnitudes were the primary force component, which were nearly tenfold greater than peak tangential forces. Peak normal hindlimb forces exceed the vertical forces generated during overground running (50-60% body wt), suggesting that wheel running shifts weight support toward the hindlimbs. This force-instrumented running-wheel system provides a comprehensive, noninvasive screening method for monitoring gait biomechanics in mice during spontaneous locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grahm C Roach
- Program in Free Radical Biology and Aging, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104-5046, USA
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