Use of autologous bone marrow cells concentrate enriched with platelet-fibrin on extensor mechanism allograft reconstruction for extensor mechanism failure following total knee arthroplasty.

Allografts techniques remain the best reconstructive strategy for chronic extensor mechanism lesions after total knee arthroplasty (3) but outcomes depend strictly on the host tissue-allograft junctions healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if modern techniques of adding autologous bone marrow cells concentrate enriched with platelet-rich fibrin, provide better healing of the allograft. We present the case of an 86 years old patient affected by patellar tendon rupture after TKA. A whole extensor mechanism allograft was performed adding a bone marrow cells concentrate enriched with platelet-rich fibrin on the host tissue-allograft junctions. Preoperatively and at each follow-up the value of Knee Society Score and radiographic consolidation signs were recorded. Radiographic controls showed clear signs of consolidation already at 1 months follow-up and a solid fusion at 3 months. This case report describes a valid method to improve healing using a tissue-construct engineered with stem cells and growth factors.

Synovial fluid levels of bradykinin correlate with biochemical markers for cartilage degradation and inflammation in knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of bradykinin (BK) and markers of cartilage degradation and inflammation in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and to evaluate correlations with biomarkers or clinical parameters. METHODS: SFs were obtained from 30 patients with knee OA. Levels of basal and generated BK, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), interleukin (IL) 1, IL-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloprotease (MMP) 1, MMP-3, MMP-13 and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or colorimetric assays. RESULTS: The mean concentration of basal BK (in the presence of peptidase and protease inhibitors to avoid degradation and de novo formation of BK) was 422 pg/ml (95% confidence interval, CI, 281-563) whereas that of in vitro generated BK (in the presence of peptidase inhibitors SFs were incubated 60 min at 37°C to measure the potential capability to generate BK) was 3427 pg/ml (2591-4264). The content of MMP-13, IL-1α, and IL-1ß was under assay sensitivity. Basal BK levels positively correlated (Spearman's rank correlation) with GAGs (40 µg/ml, 26-54, r = 0.4834, P = 0.0308) and IL-6 (553 pg/ml, 171-935, r = 0.3946, P = 0.0377) similarly to the generated BK (GAGs, r = 0.4563, P = 0.0431; IL-6, r = 0.5605, P = 0.0019). Statistical analysis of basal BK and biomarkers was significant (P = 0.0483). When applying a stepwise logistic regression analysis considering biomarkers together with clinical parameters, results indicated that K/L radiographic OA grade and COMP improved the model (P = 0.0032). CONCLUSION: The presence of BK in the knee OA SF and its correlations with cartilage degradation and inflammation markers of OA support its participation in OA pathology.

In vitro exposure of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes to ELF fields and new therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic fields: biological evidence.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequently occurring rheumatic disease, caused by metabolic changes in chondrocytes, the cells that maintain cartilage. Treatment with electromagnetic fields (MF) produces benefits in patients affected by this pathology. Isolated human osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes were cultured in vitro under standard conditions or stimulated with IL-1beta or IGF-1, to mimic the imbalance between chondroformation and chondroresorption processes observed in OA cartilage in vivo. The cells were exposed for a specific time to extremely low frequency (ELF; 100-Hz) electromagnetic fields and to the Therapeutic Application of Musically Modulated Electromagnetic Fields (TAMMEF), which are characterized by variable frequencies, intensities, and waveforms. Using flow cytometry, we tested the effects of the different types of exposure on chondrocyte metabolism. The exposure of the cells to both systems enhances cell proliferation, does not generate reactive oxygen species, does not cause glutathione depletion or changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and does not induce apoptosis. This study presents scientific support to the fact that MF could influence OA chondrocytes from different points of view (viability, ROS production and apoptosis). We can conclude that both ELF and TAMMEF systems could be recommended for OA therapy and represent a valid non-pharmacological approach to the treatment of this pathology.

[Anabolic effects and inhibition of interleukin 6 production induced by neridronate on human osteoblasts]. / Effetti anabolici e di inibizione della produzione di interleuchina 6 indotti dal neridronato in colture di osteoblasti umani.

UNLABELLED: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are pharmacological compounds widely used in the treatment of a variety of bone-related diseases, particularly where the bone-turnover is skewed in favour of osteolysis. The mechanisms by which BPs reduce bone-resorption directly acting on osteoclasts (OCs) are now largely clarified even at molecular level. The researches concerning the BPs effects on osteoblasts (OBs) have instead shown variable results. OBJECTIVES: We have investigated the efficacy of neridronate (NER), an amino-BP, as anabolic agent on human OBs. Moreover, we have tried to verify if NER is able to negatively modulate the production of IL-6 on OBs stimulated or not by the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. METHODS: We have tested if different concentrations of NER (from 10-11 M to 10-3 M), added to primary human OB cultures, could affect the cells number, the endogenous cellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the collagen I (COL-I) synthesis, the formation of mineralized nodules and the IL-6 production. Our experimental approach was performed testing a wide range of NER concentrations because, under physiological conditions, OBs seems to be exposed to variable and transient levels of the drug. RESULTS: Our results show that NER doesn't negatively affect in vitro the viability, proliferation and cellular activity of human OBs, even after 20 days of exposure to concentrations < or =10-5 M (therapeutic dose). In addition, NER seems to enhance the differentiation of cultured OBs in mature bone-forming cells. A maximum increase of COL-I synthesis (+25% after 4 days; p < 0.05), ALP activity (+50% after 10 days; p < 0.01) and mineralized nodules (+48% after 20 days; p < 0.05) was observed in cultures treated with NER 10-8 M. A maximal reduction of IL-6 secretion (-24% on IL-1beta stimulated cultures and -29% on unstimulated cultures) was observed for NER 10-9 M. CONCLUSIONS: These results encourage the use of neridronate in therapy of demineralizing metabolic bone disorders.

The Onik method of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy (A.P.L.D.). Criteria of selection, technique, and evaluation of results.

The Onik method of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy is a new type of percutaneous surgery for the treatment of herniated lumbar disk. Candidates for this procedure should be carefully evaluated on the basis of precise clinical criteria and instrumental diagnosis. The goal is to select patients in whom excellent results can be achieved, recognizing the limitations as well as the merits of the technique. The surgical approach is described and the potential difficulties are discussed, since this technique must be performed with precision and without trauma in order to obtain good results. The clinical results of 500 patients treated by the Onik method of automated percutaneous lumbar diskectomy are reported. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2 1/2 years. The patients were divided into three groups according to the strength of the indication for A.P.L.D.; the quality of the result is reported for each group.