Experimental osteoarthritis in the rabbit. III. Acute osteoarthritis: subchondral P02 and oxygen consumption and diffusion capacity in the synovial membrane

The earliest sign of osteoarthritis is acute synovitis with joint effusion and elevated intraarticular pressure, which causes compression of the intracapsular vein segments draining the epiphyseal bone compartment. The increased outflow resistance may cause a fall in the regional blood flow and thereby lead to a state of tissue hypoxia. The acute osteoarthritis may also affect the transfer of oxygen to the cartilage across synovial membrane because of the extensive inflammation with hypercellularity and edema.In the present study we have investigated the subchondral P₀₂ and P_c02 in acute osteoarthritis. There was no significant difference between these gas tensions in the normal and osteoarthritic bone. We have also investigated the oxygen consumption and diffusion capacity in the synovial membrane. The latter was decreased by a factor of 4 in the osteoarthritic joints whilst the oxygen consumption was increased by a factor of 3.     

Procollagen type-III aminoterminal peptide in serum and synovial fluid of dogs with hip dysplasia and coxarthrosis

Hip dysplasia is an affection of the coxofemoral joint that progresses until stabilization is caused by fibrosis and osteoarthritic changes. This stabilization process can be examined by clinical and radiographic methods. The capability of evaluating the procollagen concentrations in liquids, such as serum and synovial fluid, has further offered the basis for an objective biochemical evaluation of the stabilization process. Our study was performed to evaluate whether determination of procollagen concentrations was suitable for the use in practice. The procollagen type-III aminoterminal peptide (P-III-NP) concentration was measured in serum and in synovial fluid from coxofemoral joints in 20 dogs. Dogs were grouped on the basis of evidence of dysplasia and osteoarthritic changes of the hip: (1) a control group of 6 dogs without clinical or radiographic signs of hip dysplasia, and (2) dysplastic group of 14 dogs, which was further grouped with respect to the coxofemoral joint laxity, as determined by the Ortolani test. Synovial fluid concentration of P-III-NP was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in fluid from dysplastic joints than in fluid from normal joints. Serum concentrations of P-III-NP were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in dogs in which results of the Ortolani test were positive.     

Radionuclide uptake in experimentally induced meniscal lesions in rabbit knees

Internal derangements in the human knee joint caused by meniscal lesions affecting joint function are known to have influence on local radionuclide uptake (Nicholas & Holder 1980, Mooar et al. 1987). To elucidate the joint reaction to minor meniscal lesions, not interfering with knee joint function, a model involving the avascular central part of the medial meniscus was used. Lesions in this area are known not to heal spontaneously (Heatley 1980, Veth et al. 1983).     

Cross-sectional study on acrylamide hemoglobin adducts in subpopulations from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study

Acrylamide exposure was investigated in subgroups of the EPIC study population (510 subjects from 9 European countries, randomly selected and stratified by age, gender, and smoking status) using hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide (HbAA) and its primary metabolite glycidamide (HbGA). Blood samples were analyzed for HbAA and HbGA by HPLC/MS/MS. Statistical models for HbAA and HbGA were developed including body mass index (BMI), educational level, and physical activity. A large variability in acrylamide exposure and metabolism between individuals and country groups was observed with HbAA and HbGA values ranging between 15-623 and 8-377 pmol/g of Hb, respectively. Both adducts differed significantly by country, sex, and smoking status. HbGA values were significantly lower in high alcohol consumers than in moderate consumers. With increasing BMI, HbGA in nonsmokers and HbAA in smokers decreased significantly. In the assessment of potential health effects related to acrylamide exposure, country of origin, BMI, alcohol consumption, sex, and smoking status should be considered.     

Bioindication and modelling of atmospheric deposition in forests enable exposure and effect monitoring at high spatial density across scales

Key message

Moss surveys provide spatially dense data on environmental concentrations of heavy metals and nitrogen which, together with other biomonitoring and modelling data, can be used for indicating deposition to terrestrial ecosystems and related effects across time and areas of different spatial extension.

Context

For enhancing the spatial resolution of measuring and mapping atmospheric deposition by technical devices and by modelling, moss is used complementarily as bio-monitor.

Aims

This paper investigated whether nitrogen and heavy metal concentrations derived by biomonitoring of atmospheric deposition are statistically meaningful in terms of compliance with minimum sample size across several spatial levels (objective 1), whether this is also true in terms of geostatistical criteria such as spatial auto-correlation and, by this, estimated values for unsampled locations (objective 2) and whether moss indicates atmospheric deposition in a similar way as modelled deposition, tree foliage and natural surface soil at the European and country level, and whether they indicate site-specific variance due to canopy drip (objective 3).

Methods

Data from modelling and biomonitoring atmospheric deposition were statistically analysed by means of minimum sample size calculation, by geostatistics as well as by bivariate correlation analyses and by multivariate correlation analyses using the Classification and Regression Tree approach and the Random Forests method.

Results

It was found that the compliance of measurements with the minimum sample size varies by spatial scale and element measured. For unsampled locations, estimation could be derived. Statistically significant correlations between concentrations of heavy metals and nitrogen in moss and modelled atmospheric deposition, and concentrations in leaves, needles and soil were found. Significant influence of canopy drip on nitrogen concentration in moss was proven.

Conclusion

Moss surveys should complement modelled atmospheric deposition data as well as other biomonitoring approaches and offer a great potential for various terrestrial monitoring programmes dealing with exposure and effects.

     

Improved method to estimate oxygen consumption, diffusing capacity and blood flow of synovial membrane

The joint cartilage is depending on the oxygen diffusing from the capillaries of the synovial membrane through the synovial tissue and synovial fluid. In the present study we describe a new method to calculate the diffusing capacity (DO2), oxygen consumption (VO2) and blood flow of the synovial membrane. The principle of the method is to perfuse the joint cavity with two saline solutions, one with high and one with low oxygen and nitrogen partial pressures and to measure the oxygen and nitrogen partial pressures in the perfusate flowing out of the joint. Using a model of gas exchange between the joint and the membrane a set of equations was derived expressing the relationship between the blood flow, diffusing capacity and oxygen consumption and the oxygen and nitrogen flowing to and from the joint in the two different perfusion situations. In 12 rabbit knee joints we found a blood flow of 0.388 ml/min (SEM 0.027), VO2 of 0.495 microliters/min (SEM 0.196) and DO2 of 0.024 microliter/min/Torr SEM 0.003 (mean).