Abnormal subchondral bone remodeling and its association with articular cartilage degradation in knees of type 2 diabetes patients

Type 2 diabetes （T2D） is associated with systemic abnormal bone remodeling and bone loss. Meanwhile, abnormal subchondral bone remodeling induces cartilage degradation, resulting in osteoarthritis （OA）. Accordingly, we investigated alterations in subchondral bone remodeling, microstructure and strength in knees from T2D patients and their association with cartilage degradation. Tibial plateaus were collected from knee OA patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and divided into non-diabetic （n---70） and diabetes （n = 51） groups. Tibial plateaus were also collected from cadaver donors （n = 20） and used as controls. Subchondral bone microstructure was assessed using micro-computed tomography. Bone strength was evaluated by micro-finite-element analysis. Cartilage degradation was estimated using histology. The expression of tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase （TRAP）, osterix, and osteocalcin were calculated using immunohistochemistry. Osteoarthritis Research Society International （OARSI） scores of lateral tibial plateau did not differ between non-diabetic and diabetes groups, while higher OARSI scores on medial side were detected in diabetes group. Lower bone volume fraction and trabecular number and higher structure model index were found on both sides in diabetes group. These microstructural alterations translated into lower elastic modulus in diabetes group. Moreover, diabetes group had a larger number of TRAP~ osteoclasts and lower number of Osterix~ osteoprogenitors and Osteocalcin~ osteoblasts. T2D knees are characterized by abnormal subchondral bone remodeling and microstructural and mechanical impairments, which were associated with exacerbated cartilage degradation. In regions with intact cartilage the underlying bone still had abnormal remodeling in diabetes group, suggesting that abnormal bone remodeling may contribute to the early pathogenesis of T2D-associated knee OA.

Effects of acupotomy on the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in the subchondral bone of rabbits with early and mid-stage knee osteoarthritis models

Objective:To investigate whether acupotomy could inhibit subchondral bone remodeling in knee osteoarthritis(KOA)rabbits by regulating the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts.Methods:KOA rabbits were prepared by immobilization for 6 and 9 weeks by Videman method.Nine groups of rabbits(control,6 weeks and 9 weeks model,6 weeks and 9 weeks acupotomy,6 weeks and 9 weeks electroacupuncture,and 6 weeks and 9 weeks drug groups)received acupotomy,electroacupuncture and risedronate sodium intervention,respectively,for 3 weeks.Results:Acupotomy can inhibit the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in subchondral bone by reducing the proteins expression of cathepsin K(CK)and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)and decreasing the proteins expression of osteocalcin(OCN)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP),to intercept the abnormal bone resorption and bone formation of subchondral bone in 6-week and 9-week immobilization-induced KOA rabbits.Conclusion:These findings indicated that acupotomy may be more advantageous than risedronate sodium intervention in modulating subchondral bone remodeling in KOA rabbits,especially in 9-week immobilization-induced KOA rabbits.