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PubMed2003

Collagen biomechanics in cerebral arteries and bifurcations assessed by polarizing microscopy.

Collagen is the main matrix protein of the artery wall. We have used the known correlation between collagen birefringence and its mechanical properties to assess the wall structural integrity in brain arteries and their bifurcation regions, which are the sites of formation of saccular aneurysms. Segments of 28 brain arteries, including bifurcations, were pressure fixed and sectioned in one of three orthogonal planes. Measurements were taken by polarizing microscopy of the birefringence of collagen fibers at the apex of bifurcations and in the main layers of the artery wall - adventitia, media and intima. Dimensional data were obtained of the layers in order to estimate wall properties. Along the apex of the flow divider we measured a narrow band of collagen (birefringence 30% higher than the adjacent adventitia) providing strength and stiffness in that region. There is a thin cell-free outer layer of the tunica media (mean thickness 11 microm) comprised of densely packed coaligned collagen with high birefringence. From the fiber birefringence and directional alignment of the individual layers we calculated that the adventitia contributes about one third of circumferential and almost all of longitudinal strength of intracranial arteries.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of ramipril and losartan on collagen expression in right and left heart after myocardial infarction.

Although increased deposition of collagen proteins has been described after myocardial infarction (MI), little is known of time-dependent transcriptional alteration of specific cardiac collagen sub-types as well as the degradative mechanisms for cardiac collagens in right and left ventricular myocardium remote to large left ventricular infarction. We sought to study collagen mRNA abundance and the deposition of specific collagen subtypes in noninfarcted left and right rat heart muscle at different times after MI. We also assessed the activity of different myocardial matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) using zymography to gain some information about degradative pathways for collagen. Furthermore, we assessed passive compliance properties of the right ventricle in experimental hearts. Finally we investigated the role of the renin angiotensin system in the collagen gene expression by administration of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (ramipril) and an angiotensin II receptor type I antagonist (losartan) in experimental animals. We observed that the mRNA abundance of types I and III collagen were increased 3 days after myocardial infarction in both viable left and uninfarcted right ventricular tissues, that they peaked at 7-14 days, and were maintained at relatively high levels in the 28 and 56 days experimental groups. Stiffness of the right ventricular myocardium was significantly increased in the 56 days experimental group when compared to that of control values. These findings correlated with increased immunohistochemical staining patterns of different collagen species in the surviving right (and left) cardiac interstitium of 14, 28, and 56 day experimental cardiac groups. The elevation of fibrillar collagen mRNA abundance in noninfarcted muscle from ventricular chambers was not significantly altered after treatment of experimental animals with ramipril and losartan for up to 14 days. MMP activity was increased in viable left ventricle at 14, 28 and 56 days and at 14 days in the right ventricle in experimental animals when compared to controls. These results indicated that (1) activation of transcription of collagen types I and III gene occurs in acute and chronic MI, and that fibrillar collagen proteins are deposited in the noninfarcted cardiac interstitium after a lag period relative to increased corresponding mRNA abundance; (2) an increase in MMP activity in chronic experimental hearts indicates that increased collagen deposition may be due to an increment in collagen synthesis rather by reduced degradation of collagen, and that MMP activation may be important in remodeling of the noninfarcted cardiac stroma; (3) an increase of right ventricular stiffness was associated with increased deposition of collagen; (4) as losartan treatment is not associated with any normalization of elevated collagen mRNA abundance, the upregulation of collagen gene expression in this model is not mediated by AT1 receptor; and (5) the reduction of cardiac fibrosis mediated by ACE inhibition and losartan treatment may reside at the post-translational level in cardiac collagen metabolism.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1991

Mandibular reconstruction with a recombinant bone-inducing factor. Functional, histologic, and biomechanical evaluation.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is a human recombinant bone-inducing factor that stimulates bone formation within 14 days. Twenty-six dogs underwent reconstruction of 3-cm full-thickness mandibular defects. After stabilizing the defects with stainless steel reconstruction plates, test implants composed of inactive dog bone matrix carrier and human recombinant BMP-2 were placed in defects of 12 animals (group 1). Control implants (carrier without BMP-2) were used in 10 animals (group 2), and no implants were placed in mandibular defects of four animals (group 3). Animals were killed at 3 and 6 months. The reconstructed segments were evaluated by roentgenography, analysis of functional stability, histology, histomorphometry, and analysis of biomechanical strength using three-point bend testing. In group 1, reconstruction plates were removed at 10 weeks because stiff, noncompressible mineralized bone formed across the defects, allowing the animals to chew a solid diet. The defects from groups 2 and 3 showed minimal, if any, bone formation and remained grossly unstable, prohibiting plate removal or advancement to a solid diet. Histomorphometric analysis at 6 months revealed that 68% of the group 1 implants were replaced by mineralized bone, whereas mineralized bone occupied less than 4% of the implants in groups 2 and 3. Biomechanical testing at 6 months revealed that the average bending strength of the reconstructed hemimandibles (expressed as a percentage of the contralateral hemimandible) was 27% for group 1 and 0% for group 2. The biomechanical strength of the defects reconstructed with BMP-2 increased significantly from 3 to 6 months and was related to degree of mineralization and thickness of bone bridging the defect.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Strontium ranelate in osteoporosis.

Strontium ranelate is composed of an organic moiety (ranelic acid) and of two atoms of stable non-radioactive strontium. In vitro, strontium ranelate increases collagen and non-collagenic proteins synthesis by mature osteoblast enriched cells. The effects of strontium ranelate on bone formation were confirmed as strontium ranelate enhanced pre-osteoblastic cells replication. The stimulation by strontium ranelate of the replication of osteoprogenitor cells and collagen as well as non-collagenic protein synthesis in osteoblasts provides substantial evidence to categorise SR ranelate as a bone forming agent. In the mouse calvaria culture system, SR ranelate induces a dose-dependent inhibition of labelled calcium release. The inhibitory effects of SR ranelate on bone resorption were close to those of salmon calcitonin. In the isolated rat osteoclast assay, a pre-incubation of bone slices with SR ranelate induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the bone resorbing activity of a treated rat osteoclast. SR ranelate also dose-dependently inhibited, in a chicken bone marrow culture, the expression of both CA II and the alpha-subunit of the vitronectin receptor. These effects showing that SR ranelate significantly affects bone resorption due to direct and/or matrix-mediated inhibition of osteoclast activity and also inhibits osteoclasts differentiation are compatible with the profile of an anti-resorptive drug. In normal rats, administration of SR ranelate induces an improvement in the mechanical properties of the humerus and/or the lumbar vertebra associated with a commensurate increase in bone dimension, shaft and volume. This was not related to any change in the stiffness, suggesting the absence of a mineralisation defect. After oral administration of SR ranelate in humans, the absolute bio-availability of SR ranelate is 27 % after a dose of 2g is given as sachets. The simultaneous intake of SR ranelate and calcium remarkably reduces the bio-availability of SR. SR ranelate was administered in 160 early postmenopausal women, in a 24-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective randomized study. Daily oral dose of 125 mg, 500 mg, 1 g of SR ranelate were compared to a placebo. At the conclusion of the study, the percent variation of lumbar adjusted BMD from baseline was significantly different in the group receiving 1 g/day of SR as compared to placebo (+ 1.41 % versus 0.98 % respectively). Increase in total hip and neck BMD averages respectively 3.2 % and 2.5 %. SR ranelate does not induce any significant adverse reaction compared to those observed in women receiving a placebo for the same duration. In a phase II study, the effect of SR ranelate in postmenopausal women with vertebral osteoporotic fractures were assessed during a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SR ranelate (500 mg, 1 g, 2 g per day) or placebo were given to 353 Caucasian women with prevalent osteoporosis. At the conclusion of this two-year study, the annual increase in lumbar adjusted BMD of the group receiving 2 g of SR ranelate was + 2.97 %. This result was significantly different as compared to placebo. A significant decrease in pyridinium crosslinks (NTX) and an increase in bone specific alkaline phosphatase were evident after 3 and 6 months of treatment. During the second year of treatment, the dose of 2 g was associated with a 4 % reduction in the number of patient experiencing a new vertebral deformity. Bone histomorphometry showed no mineralisation defects. The same percentage of withdrawal following an adverse effect was observed for patients receiving placebo and for those receiving 2 g of strontium ranelate. Currently, strontium ranelate is further investigated in a large Phase III program that includes two extensive trials for the treatment of severe osteoporosis, one assessing SR ranelate effects on the risk of vertebral fractures (SOTI) and one evaluating the effects of SR ranelate on peripheral (non spinal) fractures (TROPOS). The primary analysis of the SOTI study, evaluating the effect of 2 g of strontium ranelate on vertebral fracture rates are expected to be released during the summer 2002.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The independent role of cyclic flexure in the early in vitro development of an engineered heart valve tissue.

Tissue engineered heart valves (TEHV) are being investigated as an alternative to current non-viable prosthetic valves and valved conduits. Studies suggest that pulse duplicator bioreactors can stimulate TEHV development. In the current study, a model system was used to determine if cyclic flexure, a major mode of heart valve deformation, has independent effects on TEHV cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) development. Ovine vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) were seeded for 30 h onto strips of non-woven 50:50 polyglycolic acid (PGA) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffold. After 4 days of incubation, SMC-seeded and unseeded scaffolds were either maintained under static conditions (static group), or subjected to unidirectional cyclic three-point flexure at a physiological frequency and amplitude in a bioreactor (flex group) for 3 weeks. After seeding or incubation, the effective stiffness (E) was measured, with SMC-seeded scaffolds further characterized by DNA, collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (S-GAG), and elastin content, as well as by histology. The seeding period was over 90% efficient, with a significant accumulation of S-GAG, no significant change in E, and no collagen detected. Following 3 weeks of incubation, unseeded scaffolds exhibited no significant change in E in the flex or static groups. In contrast, E of SMC-seeded scaffolds increased 429% in the flex group (p<0.01) and 351% in the static group (p<0.01), with a trend of increased E, a 63% increase in collagen (p<0.05), increased vimentin expression, and a more homogenous transmural cell distribution in the flex versus static group. Moreover, a positive linear relationship (r2=0.996) was found between the mean E and mean collagen concentration. These results show that cyclic flexure can have independent effects on TEHV cell and ECM development, and may be useful in predicting the mechanical properties of TEHV constructed using novel scaffold materials.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Estimation of the binding force of the collagen molecule-decorin core protein complex in collagen fibril.

Decorin belongs to the small leucine proteoglycans family and is considered to play an important role in extracellular matrix organization. Experimental studies suggest that decorin is required for the assembly of collagen fibrils, as well as for the development of proper tissue mechanical properties. In tendons, decorins tie adjoining collagen fibrils together and probably guarantee the mechanical coupling of fibrils. The decorin molecule consists of one core protein and one glycosaminoglycan chain covalently linked to a serine residue of the core protein. Several studies have indicated that each core protein binds to the surface of collagen fibrils every 67 nm, by interacting non-covalently to one collagen molecule of the fibril surface, while the decorin glycosaminoglycans extend from the core protein to connect to another decorin core protein laying on adjacent fibril surface. The present paper investigates the complex composed of one decorin core protein and one collagen molecule in order to obtain their binding force. For this purpose, molecular models of collagen molecules type I and decorin core protein were developed and their interaction energies were evaluated by means of the molecular mechanics approach. Results show that the complex is characterized by a maximum binding force of about 12.4 x 10(3) nN and a binding stiffness of 8.33 x 10(-8) N/nm; the attained binding force is greater than the glycosaminoglycan chain's ultimate strength, thus indicating that overloads are likely to damage the collagen fibre's mechanical integrity by disrupting the glycosaminoglycan chains rather than by causing decorin core protein detachment from the collagen fibril.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2006

Biomechanics of the porcine basilar artery in hypertension.

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for diverse cerebrovascular diseases ranging from stroke to arteriovenous malformations and saccular aneurysms. Our increasing understanding of vascular mechanobiology reveals that changes in mechanical stimuli, such as increased blood pressure, alter basic cellular functions including the production and degradation of extracellular matrix as well as proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. Understanding changes in the biomechanical properties of the vascular wall is fundamental to correlating mechanobiological responses with the altered loads. In this paper, we present the first biomechanical data on a large cerebral artery in terms of the time of development of hypertension in maturity. Specifically, we report rapid changes in both the structural and the material stiffness of the passive basilar artery in a novel aortic-coarctation model of hypertension in the mini-pig. Histological measurements reveal associated increases in fibrillar collagens in the media and adventitia as well as increased smooth muscle in the media. That such dramatic changes occur within 2 weeks of the initiation of hypertension in maturity necessitates a detailed study of the early changes as well as the potential to reverse these changes at later times.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Capillary morphogenesis gene-2 mutation in infantile systemic hyalinosis: ultrastructural study and mutation analysis in a Taiwanese infant.

Infantile systemic hyalinosis (ISH) is a very rare infantile stiff-skin syndrome characterized by extensive deposits of hyaline material in various organs, especially the skin and gingiva. Recent studies identified pathogenic mutations in the capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2) in both ISH and juvenile hyaline fibromatosis (JHF). Capillary morphogenesis protein-2 is an integrin-like cell surface receptor for laminins and type IV collagen, and may play a key role in cell-matrix or cell-cell interactions. We report a case of ISH in a 13-month-old Taiwanese girl who manifested progressive joint contractures, recurrent chest infections, chronic diarrhoea with severe hypoalbuminemia and ascites, gum hypertrophy, and violaceous papules and nodules over the occipital area, neck, lumbosacral and anogenital areas since birth. Skin biopsy revealed a thickened and hyalinized papillary dermis. Electron microscopy showed abundant extracellular fibrillogranular material and active fibroblasts with conspicuous Golgi complex filled with fibrillar material. Mutation analysis identified a homozygous 1073-1074insC mutation of CMG2 which had been reported in four other families and may represent a mutation hot spot.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

A new device for measuring the viscoelastic properties of hydrated matrix gels.

Determinations of the viscoelastic properties of extracellular matrices (ECMs) are becoming increasingly important for accurate predictive modeling of biological systems. Since the interactions of the cells with the ECM and surrounding fluid (e.g., blood, media) each affect cell behavior; it is advantageous to evaluate the ECM's material properties in the presence of the hydrating fluid. Conventional rheometry methods evaluate the bulk material properties of gel materials while displacing the hydrating liquid film. Such systems are therefore nonideal for testing materials such as ECMs, whose properties change with dehydration. The new patent pending, piezoelectrically actuated linear rheometer is designed to eliminate this problem. It uses a single cantilever to apply an oscillating load to the gel and to sense the gel's deflection. Composed of two thin film piezopolymer layers, the cantilever uses one layer as the actuator, and the second piezopolymer layer to measure the lateral movement of its attached probe. The viscoelastic nature of the ECM adds stiffness and damping to the system, resulting in the attenuation and phase shift of the sensor's output voltage. From these parameters, the ECM's shear storage and loss moduli are then determined. Initial tests on the BioMatrix I and type I collagen ECMs reveal that the first prototype of the piezoelectrically actuated linear rheometer is capable of accurately determining the trend and order of magnitude of an ECM's viscoelastic properties. In this paper, details of the rheometer's design and operating principles are described.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Combined angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor blockade on vascular remodeling and matrix metalloproteinases in resistance arteries.

We investigated the role of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) and AT2 receptors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and extracellular matrix (ECM) components involved in vascular remodeling of resistance arteries induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Sprague-Dawley rats received Ang II (120 ng/kg per minute SC) +/- the AT1 antagonist losartan (10 mg/kg per day PO), the AT1/AT2 antagonist Sar1-Ile8-Ang II (Sar-Ile; 10 microg/kg per minute SC), or hydralazine (25 mg/kg per day PO) for 7 days. Structure and mechanical properties of small mesenteric arteries were evaluated on a pressurized myograph. Ang II increased growth index (+21%), which was partially decreased by losartan (-11%) and abrogated by Sar-Ile. Hydralazine markedly increased growth index (+32%) despite systolic blood pressure (BP) lowering, suggesting a BP-independent effect of Ang II on vascular growth. Elastic modulus was increased by Sar-Ile compared with Ang II and control. Vascular type I collagen was reduced (P<0.05), whereas fibronectin increased significantly with Sar-Ile. Vascular tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 binding to MMP-2 was abrogated by Sar-Ile, but MMP-2 activity was significantly increased compared with losartan, Ang II, and controls. Thus, AT1 blockade exerted antigrowth effects and reduced stiffness of small resistance arteries by decreasing nonelastic fibrillar components (collagen and fibronectin). Concomitant AT1/AT2 blockade prevented growth, reduced collagen type I and elastin deposition but increased vascular stiffness, fibronectin, and MMP-2 activity. These results demonstrate opposing roles of AT1 receptors that increase fibronectin and vascular stiffness and AT2 receptors that decrease MMP-2 and increase elastin. Changes in vascular wall mechanics, ECM deposition, and MMP activity are thus modulated differentially by Ang II receptors.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2005

In vitro interaction of human fibroblasts and platelets with a shape-memory polyurethane.

Physicochemical and mechanical properties, in vitro cytotoxicity, cytocompatibility, and platelet adhesion were investigated on a shape-memory polyether-based polyurethane (MM-5520 SMPu) using the polyether-based Pellethane 2363-80AE (Pell-2363 SPU) as reference. MM-5520 SMPu and Pell-2363 SPU showed similar average molecular weights and different surface properties, with a higher hydrophilicity and roughness for the SMPu. By tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis, the peculiar characteristics of the MM-5520 SMPu were evidenced: strong temperature-dependent behavior for SMPu compared with SPU, and a high shape recovery. MM-5520 SMPu did not show any cytotoxic effect on the adhesion and proliferation of human skin fibroblasts and gingival fibroblasts, and a good cytocompatibility was observed with both cell types, as demonstrated by cell counting and scanning electron microscopy observations. SMPu compared with SPU showed higher adsorption of extracellular matrix proteins such as fibronectin, fibrinogen, and collagens. Proteins adsorbed onto SMPu significantly enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of human fibroblasts. The interaction of SMPu with platelets was studied with platelet rich plasma. Fewer platelets adhered to the SMPu, with minor morphological variations than onto the SPU. The cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility of MM-5520 SMPu combined with its unique properties such as change in shape or in stiffness, depending on practical requirements, make this shape-memory material potentially advantageous for biomedical applications.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2004

Design of porous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering using a three-dimensional fiber-deposition technique.

In this study, we present and characterize a fiber deposition technique for producing three-dimensional poly(ethylene glycol)-terephthalate-poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEGT/PBT) block co-polymer scaffolds with a 100% interconnecting pore network for engineering of articular cartilage. The technique allowed us to "design-in" desired scaffold characteristics layer by layer by accurately controlling the deposition of molten co-polymer fibers from a pressure-driven syringe onto a computer controlled x-y-z table. By varying PEGT/PBT composition, porosity and pore geometry, 3D-deposited scaffolds were produced with a range of mechanical properties. The equilibrium modulus and dynamic stiffness ranged between 0.05-2.5 and 0.16-4.33 MPa, respectively, and were similar to native articular cartilage explants (0.27 and 4.10 MPa, respectively). 3D-deposited scaffolds seeded with bovine articular chondrocytes supported a homogeneous cell distribution and subsequent cartilage-like tissue formation following in vitro culture as well as subcutaneous implantation in nude mice. This was demonstrated by the presence of articular cartilage extra cellular matrix constituents (glycosaminoglycan and type II collagen) throughout the interconnected pore volume. Similar results were achieved with respect to the attachment of expanded human articular chondrocytes, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of viable cells after 5 days dynamic seeding. The processing methods and model scaffolds developed in this study provide a useful method to further investigate the effects of scaffold composition and pore architecture on articular cartilage tissue formation.

Animals↗
PubMed2024

Proteomics analysis of deep fascia in acute compartment syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a syndrome in which local circulation is affected due to increased pressure within the compartment. We previously found in patients with calf fractures, the pressure of fascial compartment could be sharply reduced upon the appearance of tension blisters. Deep fascia, as the important structure for compartment, might play key role in this process. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the differences in gene profile in deep fascia tissue in fracture patients of the calf with or without tension blisters, and to explore the role of fascia in pressure improvement in ACS. Patients with lower leg fracture were enrolled and divided into control group (CON group, n = 10) without tension blister, and tension blister group (TB group, n = 10). Deep fascia tissues were collected and LC-MS/MS label-free quantitative proteomics were performed. Genes involved in fascia structure and fibroblast function were further validated by Western blot. The differentially expressed proteins were found to be mainly enriched in pathways related to protein synthesis and processing, stress fiber assembly, cell-substrate adhesion, leukocyte mediated cytotoxicity, and cellular response to stress. Compared with the CON group, the expression of Peroxidasin homolog (PXDN), which promotes the function of fibroblasts, and Leukocyte differentiation antigen 74 (CD74), which enhances the proliferation of fibroblasts, were significantly upregulated (p all <0.05), while the expression of Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), which is involved in collagen hydrolysis, and Neutrophil elastase (ELANE), which is involved in elastin hydrolysis, were significantly reduced in the TB group (p all <0.05), indicating fascia tissue underwent microenvironment reconstruction during ACS. In summary, the ACS accompanied by blisters is associated with the enhanced function and proliferation of fibroblasts and reduced hydrolysis of collagen and elastin. The adaptive alterations in the stiffness and elasticity of the deep fascia might be crucial for pressure release of ACS.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

[The thenar flap].

In covering amputations of fingertips several methods, including free grafts and local flaps have proven useful. When the amputation is at a more proximal level near the cuticle closure of the wound is often accomplished by further shortening of the distal phalanx and eradication of the nail matrix in order to avoid a claw-like deformity of the nail. This results in a unpleasant stump of poor prehensile quality. Therefore attention is called to the distal thenar flap which offers all the advantages of the palmar flap e. g. adequate subcutaneous tissue for reconstruction of a fingertip, good texture and colour match and a great potential for recovery of sensation. To avoid permanent stiffness of the PIP joint the flap is fashioned well distally on the thenar eminence with the base on the radial side. Immobilisation is secured by means of a plaster cast with the thumb in full palmar abduction and the MP joint of the recipient finger in full flexion. This leaves the PIP joint in but moderate flexion. The base of the flap is severed at two weeks.

Amputation, Traumatic↗
PubMed2001

The relationship of the compressive modulus of articular cartilage with its deformation response to cyclic loading: does cartilage optimize its modulus so as to minimize the strains arising in it due to the prevalent loading regime?

AIM: To investigate the relationship of the instantaneous compressive modulus with its deformation response to cyclic loading typical of that encountered at the knee joint during level walking. METHOD: The study was performed on 24 osteochondral plugs taken from three unembalmed cadaveric knees. As the compressive modulus of cartilage has been shown to vary topographically across the knee in an established manner, the specimens were taken from specific sites on the femur and tibia of each knee. All the cartilage specimens were immersed in Hanks' salt solution at 37 degrees C and were subjected to the same cyclic loading regimen that was representative of a typical walking cycle in a specialized indentation apparatus, for over 1 h. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The viscous and elastic components of matrix strain, the creep rate and the cartilage compressive modulus were measured. The latter was found to be significantly related to the strain response of cartilage to cyclic loading. Elastic strain varied exponentially with the compressive modulus; specimens with a modulus less than 4 MPa experienced elastic strains in the range 0.18-0.36, whereas stiffer specimens experienced strains between 0.05 and 0.13. Viscous strain varied linearly with cartilage stiffness and was as low as 0.02 at the lower values of the compressive modulus but increased to 0.22 for a compressive modulus of 18 MN/m(2). The rate of creep under cyclic load was inversely linearly related to cartilage stiffness. The strain response of soft specimens approached steady state by 200 cycles but that of stiff specimens did not approach it until 1300 cycles. It was hypothesized that the viscous strain response of cartilage can be explained in terms of differences in permeability between specimens of different compressive modulus, stiffer cartilage having a lower permeability than soft cartilage.

Cadaver↗
PubMed2005

Arteriosclerosis, vascular calcifications and cardiovascular disease in uremia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Arterial calcification in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The mechanisms responsible for arterial calcification include alterations of mineral metabolism and expression of mineral-regulating proteins. RECENT FINDINGS: Arterial calcification is similar to bone formation, involving differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) into phenotypically distinct osteoblast-like cells. Elevated phosphate and/or calcium trigger a concentration-dependent increase of calcium precipitates in VSMC in vitro. The calcification is initiated by VSMC release of membrane-bound matrix vesicles and formation of apoptotic bodies. The presence of serum prevents these changes, indicating the presence of calcification inhibitors. Arterial calcification occurs in two sites: the tunica intima and tunica media. Intimal calcification is a marker of atherosclerotic disease and is associated with arterial stenotic lesions. Medial calcification influences outcome by promoting arterial stiffening whose principal consequences are left-ventricular hypertrophy and altered coronary perfusion. Aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in CKD patients. Age, duration of dialysis, smoking and diabetes are risk factors for the development of arterial calcification in end-stage renal disease. Oversuppression of parathyroid hormone and low bone turnover potentiate the development of arterial calcification. SUMMARY: Arterial disease in CKD patients is characterized by extensive calcification. Evidence has accumulated pointing to the active and regulated nature of the calcification process. Elevated phosphate and calcium may stimulate sodium-dependent phosphate cotransport involving osteoblast-like changes in cellular gene expression. Arterial calcification is responsible for stiffening of the arteries with increased left-ventricular afterload and abnormal coronary perfusion as the principal clinical consequences.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Pregnancy affects cellular activity, but not tissue mechanical properties, in the healing rabbit medial collateral ligament.

Recently, evidence has been accumulating that ligament and joint laxity is altered in women and rabbits during pregnancy. Furthermore, many female adolescents injure ligaments through participation in athletics and other activities. Therefore, to determine whether pregnancy has different effects on the injured and uninjured medial collateral ligament of the rabbit knee, we investigated cellular changes (mRNA levels) and alterations in tissue properties (biomechanics) accompanying pregnancy in animals with the medial collateral ligament injured during adolescence and bred for their primigravid pregnancy as young adults. Assessment of mRNA levels for matrix molecules, matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, growth factors and sex hormone receptors, inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that pregnancy had different impacts on scar and uninjured tissue for six of 15 genes assessed. A pregnancy-associated increase in laxity of the medial collateral ligament was observed for rabbits in the uninjured primigravida group; however, no increase was observed for injured rabbits during pregnancy. The injured ligament was already significantly more lax than the normal counterpart, and pregnancy did not lead to additional laxity or prevent the normal decline in laxity as the scar matured in nonpregnant animals. These results indicate that the impact of pregnancy on laxity and cell activity of the medial collateral ligament is dependent on whether the ligament is uninjured or injured. Pregnancy had no significant effect on structural (stiffness and failure load), material (stress at failure and Young's modulus), or viscoelastic (cyclic and static relaxation) properties of tissue from uninjured or injured medial collateral ligament. Therefore, the properties of the healing ligament were not adversely affected during pregnancy in this experimental model. However, it remains to be determined if these results with an injured medial collateral ligament can be extrapolated to the injured anterior cruciate ligament.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Influence of fracture gap size on the pattern of long bone healing: a computational study.

Following fractures, bones restore their original structural integrity through a complex process in which several cellular events are involved. Among other factors, this process is highly influenced by the mechanical environment of the fracture site. In this study, we present a mathematical model to simulate the effect of mechanical stimuli on most of the cellular processes that occur during fracture healing, namely proliferation, migration and differentiation. On the basis of these three processes, the model then simulates the evolution of geometry, distributions of cell types and elastic properties inside a healing fracture. The three processes were implemented in a Finite Element code as a combination of three coupled analysis stages: a biphasic, a diffusion and a thermoelastic step. We tested the mechano-biological regulatory model thus created by simulating the healing patterns of fractures with different gap sizes and different mechanical stimuli. The callus geometry, tissue differentiation patterns and fracture stiffness predicted by the model were similar to experimental observations for every analysed situation.

Animals↗