摘要
BACKGROUND Current research lacks a model of knee extension contracture in rats.AIM To elucidate the formation process of knee extension contracture.METHODS We developed a rat model using an aluminum external fixator.Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats with mature bones were divided into the control group(n=6)and groups that had the left knee immobilized with an aluminum external fixator for 1,2,and 3 d,and 1,2,3,4,6,and 8 wk(n=6 in each group).The passive extension range of motion,histology,and expression of fibrosis-related proteins were compared between the control group and the immobilization groups.RESULTS Myogenic contracture progressed very quickly during the initial 2 wk of immobilization.After 2 wk,the contracture gradually changed from myogenic to arthrogenic.The arthrogenic contracture progressed slowly during the 1^(st) week,rapidly progressed until the 3^(rd) week,and then showed a steady progression until the 4^(rd) week.Histological analyses confirmed that the anterior joint capsule of the extended fixed knee became increasingly thicker over time.Correspondingly,the level of transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1)and phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2(p-Smad2)in the anterior joint capsule also increased with the immobilization time.Over time,the cross-sectional area of muscle fibers gradually decreased,while the amount of intermuscular collagen and TGF-β1,p-Smad2,and p-Smad3 was increased.Unexpectedly,the amount of intermuscular collagen and TGF-β1,p-Smad2,and p-Smad3 was decreased during the late stage of immobilization(6-8 wk).The myogenic contracture was stabilized after 2 wk of immobilization,whereas the arthrogenic contracture was stabilized after 3 wk of immobilization and completely stable in 4 wk.CONCLUSION This rat model may be a useful tool to study the etiology of joint contracture and establish therapeutic approaches.
基金
Supported by Anhui Key Research and Development Program-Population Health,No.201904a07020067
Anhui Provincial Health Research Project,No.AHWJ2022b063
Clinical Medicine Discipline Construction Project of Anhui Medical University in 2022(Clinic and Preliminary Co-Construction Discipline Project),No.2022 lcxkEFY010
2022 National Natural Science Foundation Incubation Plan,No.2022GMFY05
Clinical Medicine Discipline Construction Project of Anhui Medical University in 2022(High-Level Personnel Training Program),No.2022 lcxkEFY04,No.2022 lcxkEFY05.
