Title: Induced hyperthermia in promoting cartilage regeneration
Abstract: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joints that reduces physical function and leads to chronic pain. It occurs mostly in persons from an age of 50 years of older and can be considered a disease of the aging population. Although there is no clear evidence of its effects, induced hyperthermia is sometimes prescribed to these patients with the aim of relieving the symptoms. It is hypothesized that mild hyperthermia has a direct effect on cartilage tissue, linked to the upregulation of Heat shock protein 70. This exploratory study evaluated the effects of heat on cartilage regarding possible regeneration and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as investigating two possible mechanisms to generate heat – applying High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and using Rotational Field Quantum Magnetic Resonance (also known as the Cytotron). It was found that mild hyperthermia up to 45°C and lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation upregulate Hsp70 production on cartilage explants. The Cytotron machine did not induce hyperthermia, but its effects on cartilage tissue were similar to the effects of mild hyperthermia. Both treatments increased Hsp70 production and appear to stimulate the synthesis of proteoglycans, a molecule that is important in building healthy cartilage tissue. The HIFU protocol was effective at rising the temperature on a horse fetlock joint, but on a simplified setting the variability on the generated temperature was too high to recommend using it in the clinic. Both mild induced hyperthermia and the Cytotron machine show promise and should be further investigated as possible additional treatments against osteoarthritis.
Publication Year: 2016
Publication Date: 2016-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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