Molecular characterisation of osteoblasts from bone obtained from people of Polynesian and European ancestry undergoing joint replacement surgery.

Population studies in Aotearoa New Zealand found higher bone mineral density and lower rate of hip fracture in people of Polynesian ancestry compared to Europeans. We hypothesised that differences in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation contribute to the differences in bone properties between the two groups. Osteoblasts were cultured from bone samples obtained from 30 people of Polynesian ancestry and 25 Europeans who had joint replacement surgeries for osteoarthritis.

The effects of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals on chondrocyte viability and function: implications for development of cartilage damage in gout.

Objective: Cartilage damage is frequently observed in advanced destructive gout. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals on chondrocyte viability and function.

Methods: The alamarBlue assay and flow cytometry were used to assess the viability of primary human chondrocytes and cartilage explants following culture with MSU crystals.