Delayed cartilage oligomeric matrix protein response to loading is associated with femoral cartilage composition post-ACLR

Caroline Lisee; Alyssa Evans-Pickett; Hope Davis-Wilson; Amanda E Munsch; Lara Longobardi; Todd A Schwartz; David Lalush; Jason R Franz; Brian Pietrosimone

doi:10.1007/s00421-023-05253-w

Delayed cartilage oligomeric matrix protein response to loading is associated with femoral cartilage composition post-ACLR

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2023 Nov;123(11):2525-2535. doi: 10.1007/s00421-023-05253-w. Epub 2023 Jun 16.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#8700, 209 Fetzer Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. liseecar@email.unc.edu.
² Department of Exercise and Sports Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#8700, 209 Fetzer Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
³ Research Triangle Institute International, Raleigh, NC, USA.
⁴ Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
⁵ Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
⁶ Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
⁷ Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

PMID: 37326876
DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05253-w

Abstract

Purpose: To determine associations between immediate and delayed response of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) to loading (i.e., 3000 walking steps) and femoral cartilage interlimb T1ρ relaxation times in individual's post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 20 individuals 6-12 months following primary ACLR (65% female, 20.5 ± 4.0 years old, 24.9 ± 3.0 kg/m², 7.3 ± 1.5 months post-ACLR). Serum samples were collected prior to, immediately following, and 3.5 h following walking 3000 steps on a treadmill at habitual walking speed. sCOMP concentrations were processed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Immediate and delayed absolute sCOMP responses to loading were evaluated immediately and 3.5 h post-walking, respectively. Participants underwent bilateral magnetic resonance imaging with T1ρ sequences to calculate resting femoral cartilage interlimb T1ρ relaxation time ratios between limbs (i.e., ACLR/Uninjured limb). Linear regression models were fitted to determine associations between sCOMP response to loading and femoral cartilage T1ρ outcomes controlling for pre-loading sCOMP concentrations.

Results: Greater increases in delayed sCOMP response to loading were associated with greater lateral (∆R² = 0.29, p = 0.02) but not medial (∆R² < 0.01, p = 0.99) femoral cartilage interlimb T1ρ ratios. Associations between immediate sCOMP response to loading with femoral cartilage interlimb T1ρ ratios were weak and non-significant (∆R² range = 0.02-0.09, p range = 0.21-0.58).

Conclusion: Greater delayed sCOMP response to loading, a biomarker of cartilage breakdown, is associated with worse lateral femoral cartilage composition in the ACLR limb compared to the uninjured limb. Delayed sCOMP response to loading may be a more indicative metabolic indicator linked to deleterious changes in composition than immediate sCOMP response.

Keywords: Biomarkers; COMP; Cartilage; MRI; Serum.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries* / surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction* / methods
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein
Cartilage, Articular*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Knee Joint
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Male
Young Adult

Substances

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein

Abstract

MeSH terms

Substances

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