Tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament in collagen induced arthritis

Ann Rheum Dis. 2001 Apr;60(4):395-8. doi: 10.1136/ard.60.4.395.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of collagen induced arthritis (CIA) on the tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Methods: The tensile strength, bone mineral density (BMD), and histology of ACL units from rats with CIA were investigated.

Results: The tensile strength of the ACL unit was significantly lower in the rats with CIA at 10 weeks after immunisation (ultimate failure load, 74.9% of the control; stiffness, 62.0% of the control). The major mode of failure was femoral avulsion, and the BMD was significantly lower in the rats with CIA. A histological examination of the ligament insertion in rats with CIA showed resorption of the cortical bone beneath the ACL insertion and an enlarged mineralised fibrocartilage zone.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that the decrease in tensile strength of ACL units correlated with histological changes in the ligament-bone attachment, such as bone resorption beneath the ligament insertion site and an enlargement of the mineralised fibrocartilage zone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament / physiopathology*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / etiology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone Density
  • Bone Resorption / etiology
  • Bone Resorption / physiopathology
  • Collagen / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tensile Strength

Substances

  • Collagen