Osteoarthritis induced by ovariectomy in rats: histological and histochemical characterization according to the International Society for Research on Osteoarthritis

• Grant number: 19/04934-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2019
• End date: June 30, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Augusto Vasilceac
• Grantee: Natália Aparecida Casonato
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate histologically the joint complex of the knee joint of ovariectomized rats. For the development of the research, 12 Wistar rats will be used, from the Central Biotério of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), which will be grouped in individual plastic cages with free access to water and feed. After the acclimation period, the animals will be divided into 2 equal groups: Control Group - C (n = 6) and Group Osteoarthritis - OA (n = 6), where the ovariectomy procedure will be performed in only six rats. Over 6 months the rats will be monitored monthly, monitoring the weight and calculation of food efficiency. After the 6-month experimental period, all rats will be sacrificed, and then the complete knee joint complex (tibia, femur and patella) will be removed without disarticulation. For histological evaluation of the tissue, the recommendations of the Osteoarthritis Research Society international (OARSI) will be used. For data processing, the statistical treatment of each evaluation in both groups will be done, comparing the data of group C with the group OA. It is hypothesized that ovariecotomy reproduces the histological changes of osteoarthritis in rats compared to the control group.