关键词: 软骨缺损, 关节软骨, 软骨下骨, 兔

Abstract: Objective To establish and evaluate a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis induced by articular cartilage defect. Method The animals were randomly divided into 3 group, the sham group, the model group and the positive control glucosamine group, each group of 12 animals. After 4 weeks, the drugs were administrated intragastrically once daily for 4 weeks. After the last administration, the animals were executed. ELISA kits were used to detect the level of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and joint fluid. The articular cartilage and synovial membrane were stained by HE staining. Mankin’s score was used to assess articular cartilage damage. Result Compared with the sham group, the level of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and joint fluid of the model group was significantly increased, while that of glucosamine decreased the level of these inflammatory cytokines. HE staining showed the structural changes and defects of cartilage, and the synovial membrane was infiltrated by inflammatory cells in the model group. The score of cartilage was significantly higher than that of the sham group. Glucosamine can reduce cartilage defects, reduce the infiltration of synovitis cells and reduce the score of cartilage. Conclusion Articular cartilage drilling is able to establish the rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis, reflect the main features of osteoarthritis. The injury and inflammation induced by the model can be reduced by administrating with positive drug. Therefore, this model can be used for the evaluation and screening of arthritis drugs.

Key words: Osteochondral defect, Articular cartilage, Subchondral bone, Rabbit