Effects of diabetes and age-related fibrosis on joint components

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11413
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Matsuzaki Taro 金沢大学, 保健学系, 助教 (10401910)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ラット / 加齢 / 関節可動域制限 / 線維化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Diabetic (hyperglycemia) and aging models were created, and joint constructs were examined histopathologically. The number of cells positive for α-SMA was 4.0±2.1 in the STZ-treated group and 3.7±1.4 in the control group, showing no significant difference between the STZ-treated and control groups.
Fibrous tissue in the adipose bodies under the patella of aged rats averaged 85.5 ± 2.6%, and 67.2 ± 12.9% in the control group, showing a significant increase in the aged group. In the posterior joint capsule, there were significantly fewer myofibroblasts in the aging group than in the control group, and the range of motion of the joint was significantly limited in the aging group. In the joint capsule of the aged group, thickening of the joint capsule and densification of fibers were observed.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

加齢による関節構成体の変化として、膝蓋下脂肪体では線維組織の増生、脂肪細胞の縮小が観察された。今回の結果は加齢により線維化が生じている膝蓋下脂肪体においても関節運動を行うことにより膝蓋下脂肪体線維化の抑制が可能であることを示唆する。後部関節包では加齢により生じた組織の肥厚が運動負荷により線維の占める割合が減少(コラーゲン線維の密生化抑制)することが示された。
加齢による変化は関節不動による拘縮モデルで観察された組織変化と同等のものと考えられ、今後は関節拘縮と加齢による変化がなぜ類似しているのかを様々な指標を用いて検索し「関節可動域制限」の新たな知見を得ることが重要となるであろう。