Effects of mechanical loading on articular cartilage of young cavia cobaya: histomorphometry and electron micrography
von Frankenberg, E.; Engelmann, L.; Zippel, H.
Nihon Geka Hokan. Archiv für Japanische Chirurgie 56(5): 461-470
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9152 PMID: 3453032 Document Number: 288438
Observing the early phase of response to mechanical loud, we evaluated morphometrically articular and growth cartilage of knee joint in immature guinea pigs in comparison with unloaded controls. Intracellular substance and articular cartilage thickness showed after initial stress increase, in further progress reduction and stagnation. Up to 11,000 m an abrupt increase of intercellular substance was accompanied with decrease of cartilage thickness, cell number and cell volume in tangential zone and cell volume-reduction either in radial zone. Diminishment of epiphyseal thickness and tibial length compared with same aged controls was remarkable after 11,000 m. We suggest an adaptive potential of growing cartilage to respond mechanical stress in a range of tolerance.