Tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament in collagen induced arthritis

• Published in: Annals of the rheumatic diseases Vol. 60; no. 4; pp. 395 - 398
• Main Authors: Nawata, K, Enokida, M, Yamasaki, D, Minamizaki, T, Hagino, H, Morio, Y, Teshima, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism 01.04.2001; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anterior cruciate ligament; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - physiopathology; Arthritis; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - etiology; Arthritis, Rheumatoid - physiopathology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Bone Density; Bone Resorption - etiology; Bone Resorption - physiopathology; Collagen; Collagen - adverse effects; collagen induced arthritis; Complications and side effects; Extended Report; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Knee; Laboratory animals; Ligaments; Medical sciences; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Physiological aspects; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; rheumatoid arthritis; Rodents; Studies; tensile properties; Tensile Strength; Japan; Knee; Immunopathology; Animal model; Rat; Rodentia; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Autoimmune disease; Exploration; Inflammatory joint disease; Arthritis; Tensile property; Experimental study; Density; Anterior cruciate ligament; Biomechanics; Vertebrata; Chronic; Mammalia; Histopathology; Collagen; Rheumatoid arthritis; Bone
• ISSN: 0003-4967; 1468-2060
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.60.4.395

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) on the tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). METHODS The tensile strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and histology of ACL units from rats with CIA were investigated. RESULTS The tensile strength of the ACL unit was significantly lower in the rats with CIA at 10 weeks after immunisation (ultimate failure load, 74.9% of the control; stiffness, 62.0% of the control). The major mode of failure was femoral avulsion, and the BMD was significantly lower in the rats with CIA. A histological examination of the ligament insertion in rats with CIA showed resorption of the cortical bone beneath the ACL insertion and an enlarged mineralised fibrocartilage zone. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that the decrease in tensile strength of ACL units correlated with histological changes in the ligament-bone attachment, such as bone resorption beneath the ligament insertion site and an enlargement of the mineralised fibrocartilage zone.