Functional analysis and inflammatory markers in rats with knee osteoarthritis induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection

• Grant number: 17/09351-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2017
• End date: June 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Tania de Fatima Salvini
• Grantee: Beatriz Leite Ferreira Luiz
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that involves joints and periarticular tissues, the knee is the most affected joint. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by increased inflammatory mediators, joint thickening, formation of osteophytes, pain and swelling. All of these symptoms lead to changes in functional activities and decreased quality of life. There is no scientific evidence linking the decrease in functional activities to the inflammatory joint process. The hypothesis of the study is that the functional changes resulting from KOA are associated with an increase in inflammatory infiltrate. Aim: to evaluate possible changes in the nociceptive threshold at temperature and pressure, to evaluate walking and balance activities and to evaluate the inflammatory process of the joint, through the measurement of neutrophils in the synovial fluid of the knee in rats with KOA induced by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Method: Adult Wistar rats will be divided randomly into 2 groups (n = 10 / group): control (without intervention); KOA (knee ACLT surgery). After 30 and 60 days the animals will be submitted to the following evaluations: pain (Von Frey), hot plate, gait (paw print test), balance and coordination (Rotarod), swelling (electronic calipers) and dosage of Inflammatory markers (synovial fluid of the knee). The results will be distributed regarding normality and homogeneity. The statistical difference between groups will be analyzed using the studant t-test, or Mann-Withney test. In conclusion, the results of this study may provide new scientific evidence related to the possible functional alterations associated with the inflammatory process of KOA. (AU)