Bone sialoprotein distribution in guinea pig osteoarthritis

Abstract

Morphological studies of osteoarthritis (OA) have largely been performed on surgical specimens from patients with advanced disease. Such specimens do not allow conclusions on the early events of OA and consequently little is known about initiating agents and pathogenetic mechanisms. To overcome these obstacles, various animal models have been designed. Most of these models, however, involve an intraarticular intervention resulting in rapidly progressive changes, quite unlike primary osteoarthrosis. There are, however, naturally occurring OA-like conditions in animals, e.g. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs. In a recent study we have presented quantitative data on articular cartilage and subchondral bone during development of guinea pig OA. Previous studies have shown that bone changes are important in the OA pathogenesis (Radin 1986).