Development of advanced wear debris analysis techniques for osteoarthritis study

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open access
Embargoed until 2014-11-30
Copyright: Wang, Meiling
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Abstract
The analysis of human knee wear debris and synovial fluid may have great potential for understanding osteoarthritis (OA). However, the nano-mechanical properties and surface topographies of wear particles have not previously been correlated to those of human cartilage during OA progression. The mechanical properties and surface topographies of wear particles and levels of cytokines in human knee synovial fluid have not been well studied. The project is the first study to investigate the mechanical properties and surface topographies of wear particles and their relationship with cytokines for understanding OA. To further understand OA, the project was structured a thorough literature review to ascertain the current research status, the establishment of a methodology of sample preparation, measurement and data analysis, investigations of the mechanical properties and surface topographies of human cartilage and wear particles in the OA process, analysis of cytokines in human knee synovial fluid, and investigations of the relations between the properties of wear particles and the levels of cytokines. As a major result, the Young s moduli of human cartilage significantly changed with OA progression. Alterations in the surface topography of human cartilage at both nano- and micro-scales occurred. The Young s moduli of wear particles increased with OA progression. The surface topographies of wear particles significantly altered in the disease process. The levels of cytokines in human knee synovial fluid became detectable in the diseased joints. The properties of wear particles revealed medium strong to strong correlations with human cartilage and the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the OA process, respectively. The outcomes of this research help to further understand the progression and features of OA and the development of OA diagnosis using wear debris analysis techniques, which are non-intrusive and sensitive to early degeneration of the knee. Biomarkers for early OA assessment, diagnosis and prevention, to extend the healthy lifespan of the elderly, can be determined by examining changes in the properties of wear particles and the detectable levels of cytokines in human knee synovial fluid.
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Author(s)
Wang, Meiling
Supervisor(s)
Peng, Zhongxiao
Gangadhara, Prusty
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Publication Year
2014
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
PhD Doctorate
UNSW Faculty
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