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Recent studies have shown a positive correlation between the degree of severity of OA and the number of apoptotic chondrocytes. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of therapeutic ultrasound on apoptosis in articular cartilage of rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Thirty 3-month New Zealand White rabbits were randomizingly divided into three groups, 10 in each group. Two groups underwent anterior cruciate ligament transaction in the right knee and another group left intact. Six weeks later, one group of the operated rabbits (OA-US) underwent ultrasound therapy (300 mW/cm, 1 MHz, 20% duty cycle, 10 min each day) for 2 weeks, while the other two groups (OA-Control and Normal Control) left untreated. Eight weeks after transection, all animals were killed. Microscopic morphologic grading was made for histological assessment. The caspases expressions and chondrocytes apoptosis were tested using the immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assessment, respectively. The mean grading of OA-US group was significantly higher than Normal Control group ( P = 0.002), but significantly lower than OA-Control group ( P = 0.002). Percentage of apoptosis and the optic density of cells expressing caspase-3 and caspase-8 in the three groups showed no statistical significances. Therapeutic ultrasound (300 mW/cm, 1 MHz, and 20% duty cycle) could relieve the degree of severity of induced KOA, while it had no effect on apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8. These findings may provide a certain support for therapeutic ultrasound as an effective access to managing KOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]