Modelling osteoarthritis in mice via surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus with or without a stereomicroscope

Wencheng Hu; Junqing Lin; Jiabao Wei; Yunlong Yang; Kai Fu; Tianhao Zhu; Hongyi Zhu; Xianyou Zheng

doi:10.1302/2046-3758.118.BJR-2021-0575.R1

Modelling osteoarthritis in mice via surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus with or without a stereomicroscope

Bone Joint Res. 2022 Aug;11(8):518-527. doi: 10.1302/2046-3758.118.BJR-2021-0575.R1.

Authors

Wencheng Hu¹, Junqing Lin¹, Jiabao Wei¹, Yunlong Yang², Kai Fu¹, Tianhao Zhu¹, Hongyi Zhu^{1

2}, Xianyou Zheng^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
² Institute of Microsurgery on Extremities, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 35909337
PMCID: PMC9396921
DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.118.BJR-2021-0575.R1

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate inducing osteoarthritis (OA) by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in mice with and without a stereomicroscope.

Methods: Based on sample size calculation, 70 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three surgery groups: DMM aided by a stereomicroscope; DMM by naked eye; or sham surgery. The group information was blinded to researchers. Mice underwent static weightbearing, von Frey test, and gait analysis at two-week intervals from eight to 16 weeks after surgery. Histological grade of OA was determined with the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system.

Results: Surgical DMM with or without stereomicroscope led to decrease in the mean of weightbearing percentages (-20.64% vs -21.44%, p = 0.792) and paw withdrawal response thresholds (-21.35% vs -24.65%, p = 0.327) of the hind limbs. However, the coefficient of variation (CV) of weight-bearing percentages and paw withdrawal response thresholds in naked-eye group were significantly greater than that in the microscope group (19.82% vs 6.94%, p < 0.001; 21.85% vs 9.86%, p < 0.001). The gait analysis showed a similar pattern. Cartilage degeneration was observed in both DMM-surgery groups, evidenced by increased OARSI scores (summed score: 11.23 vs 11.43, p = 0.842), but the microscope group showed less variation in OARSI score than the naked-eye group (CV: 21.03% vs 32.44%; p = 0.032).

Conclusion: Although surgical DMM aided by stereomicroscope is technically difficult, it produces a relatively more homogeneous OA model in terms of the discrete degree of pain behaviours and histopathological grading when compared with surgical DMM without stereomicroscope.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(8):518-527.

Keywords: Cartilage degeneration; DMM; DMM: surgery; Gait analysis; Joint pain; Microscopy; OARSI; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis (OA); destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery; knee joint; medial meniscus; sham surgery; t-tests.