elastin and Joint-Diseases

To evaluate molecular and histologic characteristics of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and suspensory ligament (SL) and assess trace-mineral concentrations in serum, liver, and hair of juvenile llamas with metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joint hyperextension.. 12 juvenile llamas (6 with bilateral hyperextension of metacarpophalangeal joints, metatarsophalangeal joints, or both and 6 clinically normal control llamas).. Radiography and ultrasonography of metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal regions were performed. Llamas were euthanized, and SDFT, DDFT, and SL samples were collected for histologic evaluation of collagen and elastin content and orientation, proteoglycan content, and collagen type III immunohistochemistry. Total RNA was isolated from SL tissue, and gene expression of collagen types I and III, lysyl oxidase, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 was evaluated via real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR assay. Liver, serum, and hair samples were evaluated for trace mineral content.. Collagen type III gene expression and proteoglycan content were significantly increased in SL samples of affected juvenile llamas, compared with those of control llamas. No difference was detected in collagen and elastin content and orientation or in gene expression of collagen type I, lysyl oxidase, or matrix metalloproteinase-13 between groups. Affected llamas had significantly increased serum molybdenum and decreased liver cobalt concentrations, compared with values for control llamas.. Increased collagen type III gene expression and proteoglycan content in SL samples of affected juvenile llamas provided evidence of ongoing SL matrix repair. Trace mineral differences may have been attributable to dietary imbalances in affected llamas.

Topics: Animals; Camelids, New World; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type III; Elastin; Female; Forelimb; Gene Expression Regulation; Hindlimb; Joint Diseases; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; Protein-Lysine 6-Oxidase; Proteoglycans; Trace Elements

To determine the molecular and histologic characteristics of hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints in adult llamas.. 12 adult llamas (6 with bilateral hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints [affected] and 6 age- and sex-matched clinically normal control llamas).. Llamas were euthanized, and specimens of superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, and suspensory ligament were obtained from 4 areas and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen or suspended in neutral-buffered 10% formalin. Histologic evaluation of collagen fiber orientation, elastin content, and proteoglycan content was performed by use of Masson trichrome, picrosirius red, Verhoeff, and Alcian blue stains. Total RNA was isolated from frozen suspensory ligament specimens. Gene expression of collagen types I and III, lysyl oxidase, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 was evaluated with a real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR assay.. Gene expression of collagen types I and III, lysyl oxidase, and matrix metalloproteinase-13 in suspensory ligaments was similar between affected and control llamas. Collagen orientation and elastin content of the flexor tendons and suspensory ligaments were also similar between the groups. Proteoglycan content was low in most specimens but was focally increased in discrete lesions of suspensory ligaments in 2 affected and 2 control llamas.. Hyperextension of the metacarpophalangeal or metatarsophalangeal joints in llamas did not appear to be caused by degeneration or inflammation of the suspensory ligament. Although focal proteoglycan accumulation existed in the suspensory ligaments of 2 affected llamas, widespread abnormal connective tissue proteoglycan accumulation was not found.

Topics: Animals; Camelids, New World; Collagen; Collagen Type I; Collagen Type III; Elastin; Forelimb; Gene Expression Regulation; Hindlimb; Joint Diseases; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; Oxidoreductases; Proteoglycans

The purpose of this work was to report the results of the test TML inhibition of leukocytes' migration, using elastin, by Soborg and Bendixen method, modified with elastin rates of 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms/ml, in joints disease. We verified that the test is generally negative in healthy controls (1 TML positive out of 26 cases); we studied 72 patients, and 38 out of them had a positive test. TML is frequently positive in Horton disease, spondylarthritis, rheumatoid polyarthritis without corticoids, collagen disease; in this cases there is a significant difference of migration between patients and controls group. We also noted a positive TML in infections arthritis and other inflammatory but not in joint's diseases with alteration of elastic tissue (scabs and lung's injury).. TML positive test with elastin, is not a specific test of articular injury neither a proof of its immunologic nature but it contributes in diagnostic for joints diseases.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Cell Migration Inhibition; Elastin; Humans; Joint Diseases; Leukocytes; Lymphocytes; Middle Aged

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Aminopropionitrile; Aneurysm; Animals; Arteriosclerosis; Bone Diseases; Collagen; Elastin; Female; Humans; Joint Diseases; Lathyrism; Paralysis; Pregnancy; Wound Healing