Anzeige
Erschienen in:
01.11.2014 | Experimental Study
The effect of environmental pH change on bovine articular cartilage metabolism: implications for the use of buffered solution during arthroscopy?
Erschienen in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Ausgabe 11/2014
Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhaltenAbstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the immediate effects of pH change on the metabolism of bovine chondrocytes.
Methods
Bovine osteochondral explants were pre-cultured and placed in Ringer’s lactate solution. Thirty explants were randomly divided into 3 groups. Buffered Ringer’s lactate, pH 7.2, was used in Group I; buffered Ringer’s lactate, pH 7.4 (normal bovine knee joint pH), was used in Group II; and this group was also set as the control group. Buffered Ringer’s lactate, pH 7.6, was used in Group III. All specimens were soaked for 2 h. RNA yield analyses were performed to evaluate the changes in cartilage metabolism at different pH levels.
Results
Mean RNA yields of (hypoxia-induced factor) 1α that were immersed at pH 7.2 and 7.6 were 10.5- and 9.9-fold from base, respectively, which were lower compared to explants at pH 7.4 which was found as 15.2-fold. Mean RNA yields of aggrecan that were immersed at pH 7.2 and 7.6 were 12.2- and 13.6-fold from base, respectively, which were lower compared to explants at pH 7.4 which was found as 20-fold. RNA yields of collagen type II at pH 7.2 and 7.6 were 16.1- and 16.6-fold from base, respectively, which were lower compared to explants immersed at pH 7.4 which was found as 22.1-fold.
Conclusion
The findings of the presented study suggest that short-term exposures to both acidic and basic pH may have effects on chondrocyte function. Our findings also indicate that exposures to solutions with a pH different from normal by only 0.2 unit could suppress chondrocyte metabolism and RNA synthesis.
Clinical relevance
Using buffered irrigation solutions with a pH closer to the normal joint pH could be more physiologic and causes less ultra-structural damage than regular irrigation solutions.
Level of evidence
II.