Publication: Ultrastructure of Chondrocytes in Osteoarthritic Femoral Articular Cartilage
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common problem in elderly, but it is not an inevitable feature
of ageing. About 80-90% of individuals of both sexes have radiographic evidence of
OA by the time they reach an age of 65. But not all of them have the symptoms like
pain and decreased joint motion.
Objective
The objective of the present study was conducted to find out whether the
osteoarthritic changes in human articular cartilage are similar to the ageing process
or not.
Methods
Femoral articular cartilage specimens obtained from 13 osteoarthritic patients
(52-80years) undergoing total knee replacement and 9 cadavers of same age group
(50-80years) (control) were processed and studied under electron microscope. The
ultrastructure of the cartilage from the two groups was compared with each other.
Results
Under the electron microscope, articular cartilage from control group had
chondrocytes having a secretary cell characteristic with prominent nucleus and
well developed organelles. In osteoarthritic cartilage, degenerating or necrotic
chondrocytes were found. Nuclei of these chondrocytes appeared lobulated or
indented. Chondrocytes below the fibrillated surface had dilated and irregular
endoplasmic reticulum. Electron dense lipid deposits in the extracelluar matrix as
well as intracytoplasmic glycogen deposits were much increased in osteoarthritic
cartilage as compared to the control group. Amount of perinuclear intracytoplasmic
fine filaments was also increased in the chondrocytes of osteoarthritic cartilage.
Conclusion
Ultrastructural findings of the osteoarthritic articular cartilage were much different
from the ageing non-osteoarthritic cartilage. Hence, OA should be considered a
specific process and not simply an inevitable feature of ageing.
KEY WORDS
Chondrocyte, fibrillation, necrotic cells, osteoarthritis
Description
Goyal N,1 Gupta M,2 Joshi K3
1Department of Anatomy
Christian Medical College Ludhiana, India
2Department of Anatomy
Swami Devi Dayal Dental College and Hospital Golpura, Barwala
3Department of Histopathology
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India