Chitosan in viscosupplementation: in vivo effect on rabbit subchondral bone

R. Rieger (1) , C. Boulocher (2, 3, 4) , S. Kaderli (5, 6) , T. Hoc (1)

1 LTDS - Laboratoire de Tribologie et Dynamique des Systèmes
2 VAS - VetAgro Sup - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur et de recherche en alimentation, santé animale, sciences agronomiques et de l'environnement
3 UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
4 ICE - Interactions Cellules Environnement - UR
5 UNIGE - Université de Genève = University of Geneva
6 UNIL - Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne

Background: To investigate the effect of intra-articular injection of Chitosan (Cs) added to hyaluronic acid (HA) on subchondral bone during osteoarthritis (OA), microarchitectural parameters and mineral density were measured in a rabbit model of early OA. A novel hybrid hydrogel adding reacetylated Cs of fungal origin to HA was compared to high molecular weight HA commercial formulation. Method: Eighteen rabbits underwent unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and were divided into three groups (Saline-group, HA-group and Hybrid-group) depending on the intra-articular injection compound. Eight contralateral knees were used as non-operated controls (Contralateral-group). Micro-computed tomography was performed six weeks post-ACLT to study subchondral bone microarchitectural parameters and mineral density at an early stage of OA development. Results: Cartilage thickness mean value was reduced only in Saline-group compared to Contralateral-group. When the Hybrid-group was compared to Saline-group, subchondral bone microarchitectural parameters (trabecular thickness and trabecular bone volume fraction) were significantly changed; subchondral bone plate and trabecular bone mineral densities (bone mineral density and tissue mineral density) were reduced. When the Hybrid-group was compared to HA-group, subchondral bone microarchitectural parameters (subchondral plate thickness and trabecular thickness) and trabecular bone mineral densities (bone mineral density and tissue mineral density) were significantly decreased. Conclusion: Conclusion: Compared to HA alone, the novel hybrid hydrogel, constituted of Cs added to HA, enhanced microarchitectural parameters and mineral density changes, leading to subchondral bone loss in a rabbit model of early experimental OA.

Mots clés: ACLT-induced osteoarthritis; Hyaluronic acid; Chitosan; Subchondral bone; Microarchitecture; Mineral density

Domaines: Rhumatologie et système ostéo-articulaire

R. Rieger, C. Boulocher, S. Kaderli, T. Hoc. Chitosan in viscosupplementation: in vivo effect on rabbit subchondral bone. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2017, 18 (1), pp.350. ⟨10.1186/s12891-017-1700-4⟩. ⟨hal-01631114⟩