Kerns, JG;
Gikas, PD;
Buckley, K;
Shepperd, A;
Birch, HL;
McCarthy, I;
Miles, J;
... Goodship, AE; + view all
(2014)
Evidence from Raman spectroscopy of a putative link between inherent bone matrix chemistry and degenerative joint disease.
Arthritis Rheumatol
, 66
(5)
pp. 1237-1246.
10.1002/art.38360.
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Abstract
Objectives. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, debilitating disease resulting in degeneration of cartilage and bone in synovial joints. Subtle changes in the molecular structure of subchondral bone matrix occur and may be associated with cartilage changes. This study aims to explore the hypothesis that abnormal molecular changes observed in the matrix of OA subchondral bone can be identified with Raman spectroscopy. Methods. Ten tibial plateaus from patients undergoing total knee replacement for OA were compared with gender and laterality-matched healthy joints undergoing leg amputation (n=5), and non-OA cadaveric specimens (n=5). The latter were age-matched with the OA specimens. The samples were analysed with Raman spectroscopy, peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and chemical analysis, comparing defined load-bearing sites in both medial and lateral compartments. Results and Conclusion. The results support our hypothesis that OA subchondral bone matrix changes can be detected by Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, there is no spectral difference in matrix chemistry between medial and lateral compartments, within each cohort. However, a significant spectral difference (p <0.001) exists between the non-OA and OA specimens. The collagen chain ratios in the non-OA specimens were normal; however, the OA specimens were significantly elevated. The spectroscopy results are compared to multiple standard techniques and indicate, for the first time, that subchondral bone changes, or inherent differences exist in both medial and lateral (beneath intact cartilage) compartments of OA knees. The development of Raman spectroscopy as a screening tool, based on molecular-specific modifications in bone, would facilitate the identification of clinical disease, including early molecular changes. © 2013 American College of Rheumatology.
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