Study of Altered Mechanical Properties of Articular Cartilage in Relation to the Collagen Network |
| Journal |
Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 41 - 42) |
| Volume |
Structural Integrity and Failure |
| Edited by |
Xiaozhi Hu, Brent Fillery, Tarek Qasim and Kai Duan |
| Pages |
9-14 |
| DOI |
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.41-42.9 |
| Online since |
April, 2008 |
| Authors |
J.P. Wu,
T.B. Kirk
|
| Keywords |
3D Collagen Network, Articular Cartilage, Biomechanics, Fibre Optic Confocal Microscopy |
| Abstract |
Articular cartilage is a semitransparent elastic material that covers on the two articulating
bones in synovial joints. It acts as a cushion between the bones that transfers loads from one to
another while attenuating dynamic stresses and providing almost frictionless contact surfaces for
normal use of synovial joints without pains. Osteoarthritis causes a chronic joint pain and it is
mainly due to malfunction of articular cartilage. The mechanical function of articular cartilage is
derived from its unique microstructure. Therefore, study of the relationship between the mechanical
function and microstructure of articular cartilage comprehends the aetiology and pathology of
osteoarthritis. Confocal microscopy permits studying the internal microstructure of buck biological
tissues without tissue sectioning and dehydration. This provides a way to study the relationship
between the mechanical function and microstructure of articular cartilage. Using a fibre optic laser
scanning confocal microscope, this study examines the pathological status of articular cartilage in
relation to the mechanical function and 3D collagen network of articular cartilage. The results show
that the 3D collagen structure and the mechanical function are different between normal and
arthritic cartilage. Loss of the integrity of the 3D collagen network is closely related to cartilage
softening. |
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