Macroscopic Changes in the Knee Joint with Intraarticular and Intramuscular Administration of Chondroitin Sulfate on the Background of Experimental Osteoarthritis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate macroscopic changes in the knee joint during intraarticular and intramuscular administration of chondroitin sulfate to laboratory rabbits in experimental osteoarthritis. Materials and methods. Experimental studies were performed on nonlinear, healthy 16 adult Chinchilla rabbits (8 males and 8 females) weighing 2.5 kg. The experimental model of osteoarthritis was based on the introduction of a solution of monoiodoacetic acid into the knee joint at the rate of 3 mg per 50 μl of sterile saline. Chondroitin sulfate was administered intraarticularly and intramuscularly. Chondroitin sulfate was administrated intraarticularly 0.24 ml 1 time in 3 days 5 times on 28, 31, 34, 37 and 40 days of the experiment and intramuscularly – 0.24 ml 1 time per day every other day for 25 days (from the 28th day of the experiment to the 53rd day). The analysis of macroscopic assessment of rabbit knee joints was performed. Results and discussion. Intramuscular and intraarticular injection of chondroitin sulfate reduces the intensity of the degenerative-dystrophic process due to the impact on inflammatory and the activation of anabolic mechanisms. Intraarticular administration of chondroitin sulfate leads to a greater increase in the level of factors of bone and cartilage formation and a greater decrease in the levels of factors of the acute phase of inflammation and factors that destroy the cartilage matrix. In our study, we attempted to visualize and compare morphological changes in intraarticular and intramuscular administration of chondroitin sulfate on the background of experimental osteoarthritis. The study highlights the possibility of using chondroitin sulfate in intraarticular administration, identified the effectiveness and impact on macroscopic changes in the tissues of the knee joint, assessed differences from intramuscular use in experimental osteoarthritis. However, in view of our research, it is not necessary to claim that all chondroitin sulfate drugs will have a similar effect. It should be remembered that the effectiveness of chondroitin sulfate depends on many factors, including the quality of raw materials. Conclusion. Intramuscular administration of chondroitin sulfate revealed a lower intensity of destructive changes in the cartilaginous surface of the knee joint, and intraarticular – the absence of cartilage destruction and defects of the cartilaginous surface, which indicates the peculiarity of the topical effect of the chondroitin sulfate