Figure 5

Comparison of pain and histological evaluations between osteoarthritis (OA), intravenous administration of bevacizumab in OA (OAB IV), and intra-articular administration of bevacizumab in OA (OAB IA) groups (experiment 3). (A) An incapacitance test meter was used to investigate the pain-ameliorating effects of treatment. The damaged limb weight distribution ratio (%) = {Damaged limb load (g)/(Undamaged limb load (g) + Damaged limb load (g))} × 100. The damaged limb weight distribution ratios 4, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery are shown. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (4 and 6 weeks after surgery: for each group, n = 6 knees; 12 weeks after surgery: OA and OAB IA groups, n = 6 knees, OAB IV group, n = 5 knees). *P <0.05 (Kruskal-Wallis post hoc test and Mann-Whitney U-test). (B) Distribution of femoral-patellar (FP), corner, and femoral-tibial (FT) sites. Safranin O-stained sections of articular cartilage. Bar = 1 mm. Representative Safranin-O-stained sections for the (C) OA, (D) OAB IV, and (E) OAB IA groups. Top row, overview of the distal femur. Bar = 1 mm. Second, third, and fourth rows, enlarged images of the FT site, corner site, and FP site. Bar = 250 μm. Osteoarthritis Research Society International histological scoring was performed at the (F) FT, (G) corner, and (H) FP sites. Data are mean ± SD (OA and OAB IA groups: n = 6 knees; OAB IV group: n = 5 knees). *P <0.05 (Kruskal-Wallis post hoc test and Mann-Whitney U-test).