J Korean Orthop Res Soc.  1999 Apr;2(1):1-10.

The Effects of Fluid Flow-induced Shear Stress on the Nitric Oxide Production and Metabolism of Rabbit Chondrocyte

• Hwang WY
• Yun JO
• Chang JS
• Park JJ
• Kim JH

Abstract

Articular cartilage responds to a variety of mechanical conditions including stresses, strains and pressures that are generated during the normal daily activity and nitric oxide may be related to the transduction of these stimuli to the chondrocyte. To verify the involvement of nitric oxide, we applied fluid flow shearing stress to primary high-density monolayer cultures of the rabbit articular chondrocytes using a T-shaped rotating bar(200rpm for 4, 12, 18 and 24 hrs) and the concentration of nitrite, the stable end-product of nitric oxide oxidation, was measured spectrophotometrically using the Greiss reaction with sodium nitrite as the standard. Nitric oxide release in the chondrocytes was increased in response to the duration of the fluid-induced shear and the nitric oxide production was blocked by the addition of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, L-NMA. There was no increase in necrotic cells identified by Trypan blue uptake, and also no increase in apoptosis confirmed by flow-cytometry. Type II collagen expression occurred as control group which was confirmed by immunocytochemistry, and no Type I collagen expression was observed. However, glycosaminoglycan synthesis was decreased in response to fluid-induced shear stress. From abode results, nitric oxide might be considered as one of signal transducing mediators of the chondrocyte in response to the condition of 200 rpm shear stress for 24 hours.

Keyword

Chondrocyte; Nitric Oxide; Shear Stress; Apoptosis; Collagen; Glycosaminoglycan

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Cartilage, Articular
Chondrocytes*
Collagen
Collagen Type I
Collagen Type II
Immunohistochemistry
Metabolism*
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nitric Oxide*
Sodium Nitrite
Trypan Blue
Collagen
Collagen Type I
Collagen Type II
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Sodium Nitrite
Trypan Blue