An experimental model of osteoarthritis in rabbit.

Background: From both a microscopic and a metabolic view, experimental animal models are very important for study of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. A new, different operative procedure was used in rabbit models, and the pathologic findings were evaluated.
Methods: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were divided into six groups; eight were used as animal models and four, for drug efficacy study. Transection of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments on the left knee joint, and sham-operation were performed on the right knee joint. Rabbits were sacrificed post surgery from 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks. Eight parameters from gross to microscopic findings were used in order to evaluate osteoarthritic changes. Indomethacin and aspirin were chosen for the drug efficacy experiment; the two rabbits of each group were sacrificed at the end of the sixth week post-surgery.
Results: According to pathological findings, this operative procedure can produce osteoarthritic changes, visible both microscopically and macroscopically. There were osteoarthritic changes in the fourth week post-surgery group and, obviously, in the eighth week; these persisted until 12th weeks post-surgery. Neither indomethacin nor aspirin showed any effect in preventing osteoarthritis progression.
Conclusions: Transection of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament rabbit model can produce osteoarthritic lesions in the knee joint. This model can be used for further biochemical and metabolic studies.