Work

Cartilage Redox Balance Is Influenced by Substrate Availability

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PurposeThe mechanobiological response of cartilage redox balance might change in response to altered substrate availability. The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of key metabolic substrates (glucose, glutamine, and oxygen) on the mechanoresponsiveness of cartilage redox balance using a label-free imaging technique that measures autofluorescence from endogenous redox cofactors.FindingsCompared with room oxygen tension, low oxygen tension had higher autofluorescence intensity in green (FAD) channel after a single sub-failure tensile load. Cartilage explants cultured in high glucose medium with glutamine supply had higher autofluorescence intensity in both channels (FAD and NADH/NADPH) compared with low glucose with glutamine group or high glucose without glutamine group, while no difference was observed between the latter 2 groups.ConclusionsLow oxygen tension or high glucose culture medium with glutamine supply increases the mechanoresponsiveness of cartilage redox balance induced by sub-failure mechanical loading. Glutamine appears to partially serve as a glucose substitute in this process.

Source: Cartilage

DOI: 10.1177/19476035251377532

Authors: Jingyi Wang, Corinne R. Henak

Institution: University of Wisconsin–Madison

Language: English

Topic: Osteoarthritis Treatment and Mechanisms

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,650