Gross morphological, radiological and histological evaluation of outcomes by intra-articular administration of polyphenol components in degenerative osteoarthritis: Rabbit model

Objectives: It is thought that the Polyphenol components in extra-virgin olive oil can reduce the formation of osteoarthritis and have chondroprotective properties. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of extra-virgin olive oil rich in polyphenols in the treatment of osteoarthritis by intra-articular application to rabbits with experimental osteoarthritis. Material and Methods: In our study, a total of 32 New Zealand white breed rabbits, 8 rabbits in each group, were used. First, MRI of the right knee of 16 rabbits and the left knee of the other 16 rabbits were performed randomly in two main groups. The anterior cruciate ligaments of all rabbits were cut and 0.2ml of extra-virgin olive oil rich in polyphenol was applied to the rabbits who had MRI of the right knee from the incision line and 0.2ml of saline was applied to the rabbits who had MRI of the left knee and left free. At the end of the 5th week, 8 rabbits were randomly selected from both groups, and MRI was taken as a short-term subgroup, and then they were sacrificed. At the end of the 2nd week, a second dose of 0.2 ml of polyphenol-rich olive oil was applied to the polyphenol-treated rabbit group and no additional treatment was given to the rabbits of the control group. At the end of the 10th week, MRI of the long-term groups was taken and sacrificed. Specimens obtained as a result of sacrifications were evaluated gross morphologically, radiologically and histologically using Mankin classification. Results: After polyphenol application in short (5 weeks) and long (10 weeks) term in established osteoarthritis, and the results of the control group were determined as gross morphological (p=0.055/p=0.0041), radiological (p=0.017/p=0.041) and histologically using mankin scoring. (p=0.001/ p=0.004), a significant difference was found. Concllusions: In our study; it was observed that extra-virgin olive oil rich in polyphenols applied intraarticularly, reduced the degenerative effect of osteoarthritis on the joint and had a chondroprotective effect by showing chondrocyte regeneration. Key words: Polyphenol, Osteoarthritis, Intraarticular injection