Early removal of the infrapatellar fat pad/synovium complex beneficially alters the pathogenesis of moderate stage idiopathic knee osteoarthritis in male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs.

Background: The infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) is the largest adipose deposit in the knee; however, its contributions to the homeostasis of this organ remain undefined. To determine the influence of the IFP and its associated synovium (IFP/synovium complex or IFP/SC) on joint health, this study evaluated the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) following excision of this unit in a rodent model of naturally-occurring disease.

Methods: Male Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs (n=18) received surgical removal of the IFP in one knee at 3 months of age; contralateral knees received sham surgery as matched internal controls.

Intravenous injection of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells benefits gait and inflammation in a spontaneous osteoarthritis model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of morbidity among aging populations, yet symptom and/or disease-modification remains elusive. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (adMSCs) have demonstrated immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate clinical signs and interrupt disease onset and progression. Indeed, multiple manuscripts have evaluated intra-articular administration of adMSCs as a therapeutic; however, comparatively few evaluations of systemic delivery methods have been published.

Evaluation of electroacupuncture for symptom modification in a rodent model of spontaneous osteoarthritis.

Objective: Faced with the frustration of chronic discomfort and restricted mobility due to osteoarthritis (OA), many individuals have turned to acupuncture for relief. However, the efficacy of acupuncture for OA is uncertain, as much of the evidence is inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate electroacupuncture (EA) in a rodent model of OA such that conclusions regarding its effectiveness for symptom or disease modification could be drawn.