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Ann Rheum Dis 2001;60:395-398 doi:10.1136/ard.60.4.395
  • Extended report

Tensile properties of rat anterior cruciate ligament in collagen induced arthritis

  1. K Nawata,
  2. M Enokida,
  3. D Yamasaki,
  4. T Minamizaki,
  5. H Hagino,
  6. Y Morio,
  7. R Teshima
  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Japan
  1. Dr K Nawata, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, Tottori, 683–8504 Japannawata{at}grape.med.tottori-u.ac.jp
  • Accepted 5 September 2000

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.

Footnotes

  • This work was partly supported by a grant from the Japanese Ministry of Education (No 09877289).

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