Application of selected cationic dyes for the semiquantitative estimation of glycosaminoglycans in histological sections of articular cartilage by microspectrophotometry

Proteoglycan is a major component ofa cartilage and up to 70% can be lost during routine processing unless special measures are taken. With this in mind and the fact that proteoglycan loss and or alteration is primary in most pathological conditions of articular cartilage, full retention is, therefore, essential to validate the interpreting of electron micrographs.The cationic dyes, Safranin 0 and Toluidine Blue 0, seemed like likely candidates as their chemical interaction with proteoglycan has been well documented by Rosenberg. Both dyes bind stoichlometrically to polyanions; one molecule of dye to each negatively charged chondroitin 6 - sulfate or keratan sulphate molecule. Szirmal has reported that cationic dyes bind proteoglycan of fresh sectioned tissue. Therefore, following Insitu fixation with Safaranin 0 or Toluidinz Blue 0, thz resulting Image would be a quantitative example of proteoglycan localization and if present in sufficent mass would scatter electrons. Ruthenium red is widely used for E. M., but we found it of little value as an L. M. stain

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EVALUATION OF INHOMOGENEITIES IN HISTOLOGICAL STRUCTURES (CARTILAGE, RETINA)

Image Analysis & Stereology ◽

10.5566/ias.v19.p119-124 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 119

Author(s):

Lutz Muche ◽

Paul Rother ◽

Antje Friesenegger ◽

Markus Geupel

Keyword(s):

Image Analysis ◽

Articular Cartilage ◽

Spatial Statistics ◽

Intensity Function ◽

Statistical Characteristics ◽

Human Articular Cartilage ◽

Human Retina ◽

Histological Sections ◽

Cluster Density ◽

Early Embryonic Stage

This paper investigates histological tissues by means of image analysis and spatial statistics. For the quantification of cell frequencies and accumulations two statistical characteristics, intensity function and cluster density, are suggested. The samples are histological sections of human articular cartilage and human retina considered in view of changes during the ageing process. The articular cartilage is characterized by continuous changes of both functions, the cell intensity as well as the clusterization. In contrast, the retina is a trilaminar structure formed in the early embryonic stage without changes by ageing.

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The Effect of Total Meniscectomy versus Caudal Pole Hemimeniscectomy on the Stifle Joint of the Sheep

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1632463 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 12 (02) ◽

pp. 56-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

C. R. Bellenger ◽

P. Ghosh ◽

Y. Numata ◽

C. Little ◽

D. S. Simpson

Keyword(s):

Tissue Culture ◽

Articular Cartilage ◽

Fibrous Tissue ◽

Cartilage Degeneration ◽

Medial Compartment ◽

Proteoglycan Synthesis ◽

Stifle Joint ◽

Medial Meniscectomy ◽

Tibial Condyle ◽

Articular Cartilage Degeneration

SummaryTotal medial meniscectomy and caudal pole hemimeniscectomy were performed on the stifle joints of twelve sheep. The two forms of meniscectomy produced a comparable degree of postoperative lameness that resolved within two weeks of the operations. After six months the sheep were euthanatised and the stifle joints examined. Fibrous tissue that replaced the excised meniscus in the total meniscectomy group did not cover as much of the medial tibial condyle as the residual cranial pole and caudal fibrous tissue observed following hemimeniscectomy. The articular cartilage from different regions within the joints was examined for gross and histological evidence of degeneration. Analyses of the articular cartilage for water content, glycosaminoglycan composition and DNA content were performed. The proteoglycan synthesis and release from explanted articular cartilage samples in tissue culture were also measured. There were significant pathological changes in the medial compartment of all meniscectomised joints. The degree of articular cartilage degeneration that was observed following total meniscectomy and caudal pole meniscectomy was similar. Caudal pole hemimeniscectomy, involving transection of the meniscus, causes the same degree of degeneration of the stifle joint that occurs following total meniscectomy.The effect of total medial meniscectomy versus caudal pole hemimeniscectomy on the stifle joint of sheep was studied experimentally. Six months after the operations gross pathology, histopathology, cartilage biochemical analysis and the rate of proteoglycan synthesis in tissue culture were used to compare the articular cartilage harvested from the meniscectomised joints. Degeneration of the articular cartilage from the medial compartment of the joints was present in both of the groups. Caudal pole hemimeniscectomy induces a comparable degree of articular cartilage degeneration to total medial meniscectomy in the sheep stifle joint.

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