Hydrogel treatment for idiopathic osteoarthritis in a Dunkin Hartley Guinea pig model

Abstract

The study objective was to determine if intraarticular injections of an extracellular matrix (ECM) powder and blood composite (ECM-B) would have a significant impact on post-operative gait parameters without eliciting adverse cartilage changes or severe lymphatic reactions in an idiopathic osteoarthritis (OA) model. Twenty-one Dunkin Hartley Guinea pigs received an intraarticular injection of ECM-B in each knee and were split into sub-groups for gait assessment and post-harvest knee evaluations at 1 week (n = 5), 2 weeks (n = 5), 4 weeks (n = 5), or 8 weeks (n = 6). The results were compared with a control group (n = 5), which underwent bilateral injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), gait measurements at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and post-mortem knee evaluation at 8 weeks post-injection. Hind limbs and popliteal lymph nodes were collected at the Week 8 endpoint and underwent histological analysis by a veterinary pathologist. Significant improvement in hind limb base of support was observed in the ECM-B group compared to the control group at Week 4 but was no longer significant by Week 8. No significant differences were observed between control and ECM-B groups in hind limb cartilage, synovium, or popliteal lymph node histology at Week 8. In conclusion, administration of an ECM-B material may improve gait for a limited time without significant adverse effects on the cartilage, synovium, or local lymph nodes.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Nov 30, 2022
Source ID
10.1371/journal.pone.0278338

Entities

People

  • Benedikt L Proffen
  • Braden C Fleming
  • Janine Molino
  • Lauren R. Parola
  • Martha M Murray
  • Megan P. Pinette
  • Meggin Q. Costa
  • Naga Padmini Karamchedu
  • Nicholas J. Sant

Organizations

  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Toxicology/Environmental Toxicology
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.