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Dynamic Compression Augments Interstitial Transport of a Glucose-Like Solute in Articular Cartilage

Cartilage Biomechanics Group, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland

Correspondence: Address reprint requests to Thomas M. Quinn, PhD, Cartilage Biomechanics Group AI 1234, EPFL Station 15, Lausanne, Switzerland. Tel.: 41-21-693-83-50; Fax: 41-21-693-86-60; E-mail: thomas.quinn{at}epfl.ch.

Solute transport through the extracellular matrix is essential for cellular activities in articular cartilage. Increased solute transport via fluid convection may be a mechanism by which dynamic compression stimulates chondrocyte metabolism. However, loading conditions that optimally augment transport likely vary for different solutes. To investigate effects of dynamic loading on transport of a bioactive solute, triangular mechanical loading waveforms were applied to cartilage explants disks while interstitial transport of a fluorescent glucose analog was monitored. Peak-to-peak compression amplitudes varied from 5–50% and frequencies varied from 0.0006–0.1 Hz to alter the spatial distribution and magnitude of oscillatory fluid flow. Solute transport was quantified by monitoring accumulation of fluorescence in a saline bath circulated around the explant. Individual explants were subjected to a series of compression protocols, so that effects of loading on solute desorption could be observed directly. Maximum increases in solute transport were obtained with 10–20% compression amplitudes at 0.1 Hz; similar loading protocols were previously found to stimulate chondrocyte metabolism in vitro. Results therefore support hypotheses relating to increased solute transport as a mediator of the cartilage biological response to dynamic compression, and may have application in mechanical conditioning of cartilage constructs for tissue engineering.