Fig. 10

Protective effect of m-PGA- on MIA-induced joint damage. In order to score the severity of the osteochondral damage of the tibiofemoral joint, a modified Mankin score from 0 (normal histology) to 12 (complete disorganization and hypocellularity) (a) and a semi-quantitative radiographic scale from 0 (normal) to 9 (osteoarthritis) (f) were used (see Methods for further details). To evaluate the bone changes of knee joints after MIA injection, radiographic examination was performed on OA rat treated with PGA, m-PGA, and vehicle. As shown in Fig. 10b, the surface of knee joints was regular in the control group. In contrast, loss of joint space, incomplete and thickening articular surface with sclerosis and deformation were observed in MIA-injected rats (c). The d PGA- and e m-PGA-treated groups which markedly prevented these alterations at the knee joint were observed. Results are expressed as means ± SEM (N = 10/group). Animals in the control group were scored 0 at either scales (data not shown). *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.0001 vs vehicle; #p < 0.0001 vs control; †p < 0.0001 vs non-micronized PGA. Results are expressed as means ± SEM (N = 10/group)