Resistance exercise recovers the structure of cartilage and synovial membrane of the ankle joint of rats after sciatic compression

Abstract

Aim

to determine the effects of sciatic compression and treatment with resistance exercise on the morphology of the ankle joint of Wistar rats.

Methods

32 male rats, aged 10 ± 1 week, weighing 376±22 grams were divided into the following four groups (n=8/group): CG (control), LG (lesion), EG (exercise) and LEG (lesion and exercise). Three days after sciatic compression, the animals in the EG and LEG were submitted to resistance exercise by climbing stairs (five days/week) for three weeks and a load of 100 grams was added. The exercise was carried out in two sets of ten consecutive ascents of the steps. The ankle joint tissues were analyzed for their morphometry and morphology using light microscopy.

Results

Regarding the number of chondrocytes, the LG and EG had more cells in the anterior articular cartilage in the tibia (62 and 43%) and in the talus (57 and 45%) when compared to the CG. In the LEG there was a 25% and 26% reduction of chondrocytes in the anterior cartilage in the tibia and talus when compared to the LG. Changes were observed in the tibia and talus in the LG, with the presence of flocculation, invagination of the subchondral bone, discontinuity of tidemark and pannus covering the subchondral bone in the talus, as well as changes in the synovial membrane. These alterations were minimized in the articular cartilage and synovial membrane in the LEG.

Conclusions

exercise restores the tissue morphology of ankle joint in Wistar rats after sciatic compression.

Keywords
neuropathies; sciatica; ankle joint; articular cartilage

Introduction

Sciatic nerve lesions are characterized by the loss or diminution of sensibility and motricity in the innervated areas, which can compromise an individual's functional activities¹,². Common symptoms of these nervous injuries include dormancy, paresthesia, weakness and atrophy of the effector muscles, as well as the impairment of the normal functions and movements of the lower limbs, since this musculature affects the motricity of the joints^{3, 4} _, including the ankle, which is responsible for providing a stable base of support for the body, in addition to effectively propelling it during locomotion⁵.

Thus, nerve lesions lead to the disuse of the limb and, as a consequence, there is a reduction in the mechanical stimulus necessary to maintain the morphological properties of the joint⁶-⁹, which can lead to rigidity of the joint capsule and consequent restriction in movement¹⁰, as well as atrophic changes in the articular cartilage with a reduction in its thickness and the number of chondrocytes¹¹,¹². Moreover, according to Hui, McCarty, Masuda, Firestein, Sah¹³, the composition and function of synovial fluid are also altered in cases of joint injury or disease. These changes can result in reduced ability to lubricate the articular cartilage, which can contribute to its deterioration, as already described in the literature¹². Free swimming¹⁴,¹⁵, swimming associated with electrical stimulation¹⁶ and resistance exercises¹⁷,¹⁸,¹⁹ have been investigated as therapeutic modalities in peripheral nerve lesions.

As with nerve damage, some studies have demonstrated that physical exercise promotes protection²⁰ or the recovery of joint components²¹, such as a reduction in joint stiffness, repair to articular cartilage and improvement in synovial flow and nutrition²²,²³,²⁴.

Despite the motor disuse promoted by nerve lesions, there are no reports in the literature about the effects of sciatic nerve injury on the morphology of the articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the ankle. Furthermore, despite the potential of physical exercises to help in the recovery of articular constituents, a therapeutic protocol for joint protection or rehabilitation after nerve injury has not been established. Thus, it was necessary to carry out a study to elucidate the implications of peripheral nerve injury on joint morphology, as well as to prove the effect of exercise on joint function after nerve injury. Consequently, this study analyzed the effects of sciatic nerve compression and treatment with resisted stair climbing exercise on the morphology of the ankle joint of Wistar rats.

Methods

Characterization of samples

Thirty-two Wistar rats were used in the experiments. They were aged 10 ± 1 week, had an average weight of 376±22 grams, and were obtained from the Central Animal Facility of the State University of the West of Paraná (UNIOESTE), Cascavel, Brazil. The animals were kept in polypropylene cages under controled environmental conditions, a light/dark cycle of 12 hours, temperature of 24 ºC ± 1 ºC, with free access to food and water. All the methodological procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee on Animal Use (CEUA) at UNIOESTE Cascavel.

After the period of environmental adaptation, the animals were randomly divided into the following four groups (n = 8/group): control group (CG); lesion group (LG), composed of animals that were submitted to an experimental model of sciatic nerve compression; exercise group (EG), composed of animals that were submitted to resistance exercise by climbing stairs; and lesion and exercise group (LEG), composed of animals submitted to a nerve compression model and treated with resistance exercise by climbing stairs.

Experimental model of sciatic compression

The compression model adopted in this study is classified as an axonotmesis-type peripheral nerve injury²⁵ and it was conducted in the animals in the LG and LEG groups.

After weighing the animals, intraperitoneal anesthesia with ketamine (95 mg/Kg) and xylazine (12 mg/Kg) was applied and the state of consciousness of the animals was checked (noted by the absence of motor response to the clamping of the tail and interdigital folds). They were then placed in the prone position with hindlimbs in abduction. Trichotomy of the middle third of the right thigh was performed and then an incision was made parallel to the fibers of the femoral biceps muscle, exposing the sciatic nerve. The nerve was pressed for 30 seconds with hemostatic forceps. The clamping pressure was standardized for all animals, using as reference the closure of the forceps second degree, with all pinching performed by the same researcher²⁵.

At the end of the nerve compression procedure, the nerve was anatomically repositioned and the cutaneous plane was sutured with simple stitches using monofilament nylon yarn. Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-iodine (Povidine^®) was applied over the incision and the animals were then housed in the same pre-surgical conditions.

Exercise protocol

The resistance exercise protocol was adapted from Hornberger and Farrar¹⁸. A vertical ladder made of wood with 67 iron steps was used, spaced 1 cm between each step. The total height was 118 cm and the width was 20.5 cm; the inclination was kept at approximately 60 degrees. At the top of the ladder there was a cage (18.5 cm high and 15 cm wide) which served as a shelter for the rest periods between the sets of exercises.

Before the sciatic nerve compression surgery, all the animals were submitted to a familiarization protocol with the ladder so that they would all present the same conditions after surgery. The training consisted of three trials per day, five days a week for two weeks, totalling ten days of adaptation. A load of 100 grams was added in the second week, which was attached to the proximal portion of the animal's tail. Because the literature contains differences in relation to the burden on animals¹⁷,²⁶ this study used an overload of 35-40% of the total body weight of the animal.

The stair climbing exercise started on the third day after surgery. Animals from the EG and LEG groups were submitted to resistance exercise five days a week for three weeks. The exercise was carried out in two sets of ten consecutive ascents of the steps, with an interval of 60 seconds between sets for rest.

The standardization of the treatment beginning on the third day after surgery was based on the study by Gaffuri et al.²⁷ and the period of 21 days of treatment was based on Gorio, Carmignotto, Finesso, Polato, Nunzi²⁸.

Euthanasia of animals and histological analysis

Twenty-four hours after the end of treatment the animals were weighed, anesthetized with ketamine (95 mg/Kg) and xylazine (12 mg/Kg), and euthanized. The right hindlimb was dissected and the ankle joints were collected. These were subsequently fixed in Metacarn, washed in distilled water, and decalcified in 5% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for about 15 days. Then the protocol for fixing in paraffin and microtome was performed, with 7 µm cuts using an Olympus^® CUT 4055 microtome. The slides of the sagittal section of the joint were stained with hematoxylin and eosin²⁹ for general morphology and with Fast Green³⁰ for the articular cartilage.

The morphological and morphometric analyses of the articular tissues were performed using a light microscope (Olympus^® and the visual fields of interest were photomicrographed using 20 and 40 lenses. The protocol for the measurement of the articular cartilage thickness and the number of chondrocytes was the same as used by Kunz, Coradini, Silva, Bertolini, Brancalhão, Ribeiro¹², which defined the areas of interest as the regions of the anterior joint (P1), middle joint (P2) and posterior joint (P3). Apart from the morphometry, the morphological characteristics of the articular cartilage were also observed, such as the appearance of the articular surface and the presence of cracks, pannus, flocculation and cell clones, as well as the subchondral bone and the synovial membrane.

Statistical analysis

The data regarding the effects of the resistance exercise of stair climbing on the ankle joint were analyzed using the BioEstat 5.0 program and were presented as mean and standard deviation. After the normality of the data was checked, one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) was used to compare the different groups, as well as the post t-test depending on the different evaluated variables. The significance level was 5%.

Results

Histomorphometric analysis of the thickness of the articular cartilage

In the analysis of the thickness of the articular cartilage there were no significant differences between the measurements of the joint regions (P1, P2 and P3) of both the talus and the tibia in both groups (Table 1).

Histomorphometric analysis of the number of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage of the tibia and the talus

Regarding the number of chondrocytes in the tibia, there were only significant differences between groups in relation to P1. As regards this articular region, the LG and EG groups had 62% and 43% more cells in the cartilage respectively, when compared to the CG group. The animals in the LEG had 25% less chondrocytes in the anterior articular region compared with the LG. In the other articular regions of the tibia (P2 and P3) no statistically significant differences were observed in relation to the number of chondrocytes (Table 2).

Regarding the talus, there was an increase of 57% and 45% in the number of chondrocytes in the anterior articular cartilage (P1) in the animals in the EG and LG, respectively, when compared to the CG. In the LEG there was a 26% reduction in the number of chondrocytes in relation to the LG. Regarding the middle articular region (P2), all the groups showed higher cell density compared to the CG: 59% in the LG, 69% in the EG and 48% higher in the LEG. In terms of the posterior articular region (P3), there was a 27% and 39% respective increase in the LG and EG, respectively in the number of chondrocytes compared to the CG.

Table 1
Thickness of articular cartilage (μm) of the tibia and talus.

THICKNESS OF CARTILAGE			GROUPS
			Control (CG)	Lesion (LG)	Exercíse (EG)	Lesion + Exercise (LEG)
Tibia	P1		142.3±36.4	175.34±24.7	185.6±29.5	189.1±29.8
	P2		177.7±29.4	149.5±9.0	175.8±26.1	186.3±42.8
	P3		151.6±42.2	134.4±38.3	117.9±36.9	153.9±48.3
Talus	P1		135.6±19.2	143.6±28.3	152.3±23.6	165.4±15.9
	P2		142.9±18.7	154.8±13.8	140.7±23.7	142.0±33.7
	P3		144.3±25.2	161.9±62.4	149.8±42.8	170.8±44.0

• ^Note
  P1 - anterior articular region; P2 - middle articular region; P3 - posterior articular region. The results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. There was no significant difference.

Table 2
Number of chondrocytes in the articular cartilage of the tibia and talus.

NUMBER OF CHONDROCYTES			GROUPS
			Control (CG)	Lesion (LG)	Exercise (EG)	Lesion + Exercise (LEG)
Tibia	P1		27.5±5.5	44.8±9.2*	39.3±11.3*	33.6±7.7#
	P2		28.6±3.1	39.2±8.1	42.5±9.2	37.1±10.6
	P3		27.0±4.3	37.4±7.1	38.5±9.9	35.5±6.9
Talus	P1		25.1±4.8	39.4±7.6*	36.5±4.7*	29.3±7.3#
	P2		21.3±2.9	33.8±4.7*	36.1±5.3*	31.5±5.5*
	P3		30.6±4.8	38.8±6.1*	42.5±4.2*	35.6±7.1

• ^Note
  P1 - anterior articular region; P2 - middle articular region; P3 - posterior articular region. The results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation; *p<0.05 when compared to control group; #p<0.05 when compared to lesion group).

Morphological analysis of ankle joint

The ankle joints of the CG showed characteristic morphology in the tibia and talus, with smooth articular surface and regular organization of the cellular characteristics (Fig. 1A and 1B). Higher cell density was visible in the surface area, with the chondrocytes arranged in horizontal clusters with a flattened aspect. In the transition zone the shape of the cells was rounded, with isolated layout and isogenous groups. The chondrocytes were arranged in gaps that corresponded to the deep zone, separated from the calcified zone by a line, the tidemark.

However, in the LG, morphological changes were observed in the cartilage of the tibia such as flocculation, invagination of the subchondral bone, and discontinuity of the tidemark (Fig. 1C). With regard to the talus, the presence of cell clones was noted, as well as flocculation, pannus covering the subchondral bone (Fig. 1D), invagination of the subchondral bone, an increase in the number of chondrocytes, and the tidemark was discontinuous.

In the EG there were no changes in the morphology of the articular cartilage of the tibia (Fig. 1E). In the articular cartilage of the talus of animals subjected to exercise, a slight discontinuity of the tidemark was observed, mainly in the anterior articular region (P1), where an increase in the number of chondrocytes and invagination of the subchondral bone was also observed (Fig. 1F).

In the LEG a slight invagination of the subchondral bone in the articular cartilage of the tibia and the talus was present in the region corresponding to P1, as well as a slight increase in the number of chondrocytes and discreet disorganization of the tidemark (Fig. 1G and 1H).

The synovial membrane in the CG presented normal characteristics, i.e. two to three layers of type A and type B synoviocytes in the synovial intima, and connective tissue with a predominance of adipose cells in the subintima (Fig 2A). In the LG the synovial membrane appeared slightly thicker, with the intima disorganized in relation to the distribution of synoviocytes, and in the subintima there was discrete substitution of the type of connective tissue, from adipose to fibrous (Fig 2B). The synovial membrane of the animals in the EG showed no change from normal morphology (Fig 2C). Recovery of tissue organization was observed in the LEG (Fig. 2D).

Figure 1
Photomicrographs of the ankle joint of Wistar rats, showing the articular cartilage. Sagittal section, hematoxylin and eosin staining. A, C, E and G - cartilage of the tibia; B, D, F and H - cartilage of the talus. Control group (A and B), Lesion group (C and D), Exercise group (E and F), and Lesion and Exercise group (G and H). In A and B, showing the articular cartilage (Ac) and the presence of tidemark (white arrow) with normal appearance. In C, the presence of flocculation (Fl) on the surface of the cartilage and invagination of the subchondral bone (asterisk). In D, formation of pannus (Pa) and the presence of cell clones (Cl) and flocculation (Fl) is more evident. In E and F, slight discontinuity of tidemark (white arrow) and in F, moderate invagination of the subchondral bone (asterisk). In G, the absence of tidemark. In H, invagination of the subchondral bone (asterisk) and reorganization of articular cartilage including tidemark (white arrow). Articular cavity (star) and subchondral bone (Sb).

Figure 2
Photomicrographs of the synovial membrane of the ankle joint of Wistar rats. Sagittal section, hematoxylin and eosin staining. Control group (A), Lesion group (B), Exercise group (C) and Exercise and Lesion group (D). In A, membrane with thin synovial intima (black arrow) containing synoviocytes and subintima (S), with a predominance of adipose cells (Ad). In B, thickening of the synovial membrane, which is discretely fibrous (asterisk) with less adipocytes (Ad). In C and D, synovial membrane with the intima showing normal appearance (black arrow), with a predominance of adipose cells (Ad) in the subintima. Articular cavity (star).

Discussion

The present study is a precursor in describing the morphological changes in the ankle joint resulting from a nerve injury, such as flocculation, subchondral bone invagination and tidemark discontinuity in the tibia, and presence of cell clones, flocculations, invagination and panus in the subchondral bone of the talus, in addition to the increase in the number of chondrocytes. Since the nerve lesions interrupt neuromuscular communication, which can lead to atrophy of the effector muscles⁸,³¹,³², the biomechanics of the ankle are compromised, causing a reduction in the range of motion of the joint³³ and a decrease in weight loss in the affected limb. As a consequence, changes in joint structures, such as those cited in the present study, occur because of the influence that load transfer plays on the joint tissues homeostasis³⁴,³⁵.

In both tibia and talus, the thickness of the articular cartilage was not changed by the sciatic nerve lesion (LG), stair climbing exercise (EG) or exercise after lesion (LEG). Trudel, Jabi, Uhthoff³⁶ also found no change in thickness, although the articular cartilage did become irregular in the analyzed locations. Hagiwara, Ando, Chimoto, Saijo, Ohmori-Matsuda, Itoi³⁷ noted that the thickness of the articular cartilage of the knee increased in the transition region, which may have been related to the lack of use of the limb and decreased lubrication of the joint. Roos and Dahlberg²² recorded an increase in the thickness of the knee cartilage after cardio and strengthening exercises. Corroborating the results of the present study, Kunz, Coradini, Silva, Bertolini, Brancalhão, Ribeiro¹² also found no change in the thickness of articular cartilage, suggesting that the ankle joint is more resistant to changes in cartilage thickness.

The increase in the number of chondrocytes that was observed in the animals in the LG and LEG was also observed in studies by Renner, Carvalho, Soares, Mattiello-Rosa¹¹ and Del Carlo et al.²³. Other authors found a reduction in cellular density²⁴,³⁶,³⁷. According to Whiting and Zernicke², prolonged physical exercise in animals can produce hypertrophy of the chondrocytes and an increase in their number. The articular kinematics may promote the reduction or increase in the number of chondrocytes³⁸, with a consequent alteration in the composition and organization of the cartilage matrix³⁹. Thus, both the decrease in weight bearing caused by the nervous injury and the increase generated by the exercise, mechanically change the cartilage, resulting in changes in the density of chondrocytes.

Furthermore, chondrocytes are mechano-sensitive cells that can respond to a variety of stimuli, including growth factors, mechanical loads, piezoelectric forces and hydrostatic pressures. These cells synthesize glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and type II collagen, which is rich in extracellular matrix that is essential for the maintenance, enhancement and regeneration of healthy cartilage. In situations of stress, such as physical exercise, the upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes can lead to cell proliferation and also compromise the synthesis of extracellular matrix, which leads to loss of cartilage integrity and early signs of lesions⁴⁰,⁴¹.

In addition to changing the number of chondrocytes, nerve injury caused the appearance of flocculation and invagination of the subchondral bone in the tibia in the LG. In the talus, these changes were more marked, with the presence of cell clones and pannus covering the subchondral bone. According to Melo, Nunes, Rezende, Gomes, Malm, Gheller⁴², cell clones represent the hyperactivity of chondrocytes in the mid and deep zones in response to abnormal stress caused by an imbalance in the distribution of forces on the articular surface. Nagai et al⁴³ analyzed the surface of knee cartilage after immobilization and observed a progressive degeneration of the cartilage, with hypertrophy, cell degeneration, flocculation and changes in the density of coloring. These changes may not be equally distributed throughout the length of the cartilage because of the angle at which the joint was immobilized as well as the duration of stress applied.

Changes in the synovial membrane of animals submitted to nerve damage, such as thickening, disruption of the intima in relation to the distribution of synoviocytes, as well as discrete replacement of connective adipose tissue from fatty to fibrous in the sub-intima, have also been described by Melo, Nunes, Rezende, Gomes, Malm, Gheller⁴², Ando et al.⁴⁴ and Trudel, Jabi, Uhthoff³⁶. Articular rigidity and a decreased range of motion, due to lower weight bearing caused by nerve injury, may be responsible for thickening of the synovial membrane²³, leading to a lower level of proteoglycans⁴⁵, which interferes with the production of synovial fluid and consequently reduces the supply of nutrients to the cartilage²³,³⁵. According to Kojima, Hoso, Watanabe, Matsuzaki, Hibino, Sasaki⁴⁶, these changes may be related to the presence of flocculation, corrosion and cracks in the articular cartilage.

Taking into consideration the findings of studies by Hadler-Olsen, Fadnes, Sylte, Uhlin-Hansen, Winberg⁴⁷ and Takaishi, Kimura, Dalah, Okada, D'Armiento⁴⁸ _, the changes that were observed in the present study in the LG and EG may have been the result of an increase in the rate of synthesis and the secretion of matrix-degrading enzymes by chondrocytes, as well as the production of metalloproteases that are capable of unfolding collagen and proteoglycans, which release their fragments in the articular fluid, thereby weakening the cartilage matrix. Synovial fluid and the fibrous articular capsule respond to these fragments and other biochemical mediators, such as cytokines and leukotrienes, which leads to changes in the other components of the joint. In relation to the animals in the LEG group, in general terms, tissue reorganization of the articular cartilage and the synovial membrane were observed, indicating that the resistance exercise accelerated the recovery of the articular constituents. According to Ando, Hagiwara, Chimoto, Hatori, Onoda, Itoi³⁰, the restoration of movement reduces articular stiffness and improves the flow of synovial fluid in the articular cavity, which promotes the nutrition of the cartilage and its consequent regeneration. Physical exercise has been seen as an important tool in maintaining the integrity of the cartilage, preventing degeneration and maintaining its biomechanical properties⁴⁹. Compressive force, or shear force at the joint, can be produced by exercise, which leads to cartilage regeneration³⁷ and exerts a chondroprotective effect⁵⁰.

Hornberger and Farrar¹⁸ subjected animals to resistance exercise by climbing stairs once every three days for eight weeks, with increasing load, and described an animal model that simulates the training parameters and physiological adaptations observed in humans. Cassilhas, Reis, Venâncio, Fernandes, Tufik, Mello²⁶ used the same exercise model with increasing loads of 50% to 100% of the total body weight of the animal and found hypertrophy in the examined muscles.

Despite the fact that stair climbing exercise is established in the literature as resistance, it is not widely applied as a therapeutic modality after injury. Following a protocol similar to the one used in the present study, Vasilceac, Souza and Mattiello⁵¹ started treatment using stair climbing two weeks after inducing osteoarthritis to the knee. This was effective in remodeling articular collagen; it produced benefits for the cartilage as well as modifications in the content of chondrocytes and proteoglycans. Thus, exercise has proved to be beneficial for articular morphology when initiated during the acute phase, as seen in the present study, and also in the chronic phase after injury.

According to Martins et al.⁵² and Marimoto et al.⁵³, physical exercise reduces pain and promotes the functional recovery of joints after sciatic nerve injury, as well as reducing the articular limitation that is present after periods of immobilization. Jang and Lee⁵⁴ found that treadmill exercise after experimental sciatic nerve injury improved ankle biomechanics, as well as knee and hip joints during walking and they concluded that exercise produces analgesic effects and restores motor function when started at an early stage⁵⁵.

Despite the innovative results of the present study regarding the effect of sciatic nerve compression and the practice of stair climbing exercise on the morphology of the articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the ankle, we believe that the absence of a functional test to assess the range of articular movement, which could establish the function of the ankle, can be identified as a limitation of this study.

Conclusions

The resistance exercise of climbing stairs, which was applied in this study, restored the number of chondrocytes in the talus and the anterior articular region of the tibia, minimized the invagination of the subchondral bone, as well as the presence of panus, cellular clones and flocculation in the articular cartilage. In the synovial membrane, the epithelioid arrangement of the intima and adipose of the subintima was re-established. Thus, it was verified that the exercise that was applied restored the tissue morphology of the ankle joint of Wistar rats after sciatic injury.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  2017

History

• Received
  24 Jan 2017
• Accepted
  05 May 2017