Intra-articular injection of kartogenin-conjugated nanomaterials for relieving osteoarthritis in rats

Title : Intra-articular injection of kartogenin-conjugated nanomaterials for relieving osteoarthritis in rats

Abstract:

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative condition involving the cartilage and surrounding bones, with significant negative impact on quality of life and increased risk of physical disability. The kartogenin is a small molecule that has been previously shown to alleviate cartilage degeneration and possess protective efficacy. In this experimental study, we developed a chitosan nanoparticles loaded with kartogenin and assessed its efficacy to attenuate osteoarthritis in a rat model.

Methods: The kartogenin-conjugated nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. Primary chondrocytes from rats were isolated, cultured, and subject to cytotoxicity assays with the CCK-8 assay. Moreover, supernatant pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration measurement was performed with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rat osteoarthritis model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection and destabilization of the medial meniscus. The efficacy of kartogenin-conjugated nanoparticles were assessed by creating 4 groups (n=6): control group (saline injection), chitosan group (chitosan injection), kartogenin group (kartogenin group), and kartogenin-chitosan group (kartogenin-chitosan injection). Cartilage damage by histology was semiquantitatively assessed using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) cartilage histopathology assessment system.

Results: The kartogenin-chitosan nanoparticle is spherical in shape and measures approximately 25nm in size. CCK-8 test indicated that the kartogenin-chitosan nanoparticle had no cytotoxic effect on the chondrocytes and did not induce an elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1, interleukin-6, interleukin-15 and tumor necrosis factor. In vivo studies in rat osteoarthritis indicated that the OARSI in the kartogenin-chitosan group was significantly lower than that in other groups since week 9.

Conclusion: This animal study suggested that kartogenin-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles are promising for the treatment of osteoarthritis that warrants further investigations in clinical trials.

Biography:

HongLiu is an Attending physician, doctor of Wuhan University, postdoctoral fellow of Chongqing Medical University, Master Tutor, Deputy leader of knee-care treatment group, "Pinghu Talents" in Wanzhou District, Chongqing. Engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases for a long time. He specializes in hip and knee replacement, arthroscopic minimally invasive, knee preservation surgery, and has in-depth basic research experience in the above joint and sports chronic injuries. So far, the key laboratory of Hubei province open project 1, Dr In Chongqing through train research project 1, Chongqing university affiliated three gorges hospital Dr Scientific research start project 1, involved in writing national and provincial natural science fund dozens of projects, dozens of core and above papers, the first author published papers 4 articles, SCI included 2.