Cesare
E. M. Gruber1,2, Silvia Capuani, 12, Giovanni Giulietti3,
Tommaso Gili, 1,3, Bruno Maraviglia1,4
1Physics, SAPIENZA University of Rome,
Rome, Italy; 2Physics, CNR-INFN SOFT, Rome, Italy; 3MARBILab,
Enrico Fermi Center, Rome, Italy; 4Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS
Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
T2-w
scans and DTI were used to monitor degradation processes in cartilage samples
due to dehydration. T2-w measures did not provide useful information. Conversely,
DTI revealed a decrease of MD and an increase of FA over the first 48hrs,
thus suggesting a reduction of water content and a consequent increase of
collagen fibril density. More interestingly, increased MD and decreased FA
were observed between 48 and 60hrs. This finding likely reflects degeneration
of proteoglycans. These experimental observations propose a new model to
investigate the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis, and might prompt a new MRI
approach for diagnostic purposes in humans.
Keywords