Study on the effect of superficial layer damage on cartilage retention performance_Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Authors：

HAN Zhaoyang ^1,2 ,  GAO Lilan ^1,2 , YANG Fan ³ , CHEN Ruiqi ^1,2 , LI Wangxuan ^1,2 , ZHANG Chunqiu ^1,2

1. Tianjin Key Laboratory of Advanced Mechatronic System Design and Intelligent Control, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, P. R. China;
2. National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, P. R. China;
3. Tianjin Enterprise Key Laboratory of Interface Functionalization and Personalized Research for Bone Implants, JiaSiTe Medical Devices (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., Tianjin 300190, P. R. China;

Corresponding?author：

GAO Lilan, Email: gaolilan780921@163.com

Keywords：

Articular cartilage; Superficial layer damage; Osmotic coefficient; Retention performance; Solute molecular weight

DOI：

10.7507/1001-5515.202601054

Video：

Export PDF Favorites Scan Get Citation

Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

The superficial layer of articular cartilage acts as a critical physical barrier for joint homeostasis, and its damage is a hallmark of early osteoarthritis. To investigate the effect of superficial layer injury on solute permeation and retention in cartilage, two injury models were established using isolated porcine cartilage: chymotrypsin digestion (mucus layer injury) and physical abrasion (10% removal of the superficial layer). Rhodamine B (479 Da) and rhodamine-labeled dextrans (40 kDa, 150 kDa) were used as tracers. Combined with a custom-built permeation device and laser scanning confocal microscopy, solute transport behaviors under different injury degrees were analyzed. The results showed that superficial layer injury significantly impaired the barrier function, with retention concentrations increasing as injury severity rose. Solutes with lower molecular weights migrated more rapidly and exhibited higher retention levels. The peak solute concentration was localized in the superficial layer of normal cartilage but shifted toward the middle layer after injury. This study demonstrates that superficial layer integrity is essential for regulating cartilage solute transport, providing experimental evidence for understanding substance transport disorders in early cartilage degeneration of osteoarthritis.

Citation： HAN Zhaoyang, GAO Lilan, YANG Fan, CHEN Ruiqi, LI Wangxuan, ZHANG Chunqiu. Study on the effect of superficial layer damage on cartilage retention performance. Journal of Biomedical Engineering, 2026, 43(4): 800-807. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202601054 Copy

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.	Bestwick-Stevenson T, Ifesemen O S, Pearson R G, et al. Association of sports participation with osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Orthop J Sports Med, 2021, 9(6): 23259671211004554.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.	Maroudas A, Bullough P, Swanson S A V, et al. The permeability of articular cartilage[J]. J Bone Joint Surg Br, 1968, 50-B(1): 166-177.
30.
31.
32.
33.	Kumar P, Oka M, Toguchida J, et al. Role of uppermost superficial surface layer of articular cartilage in the lubrication mechanism of joints[J]. J Anat, 2001, 199(Pt 3): 241-250.
34.	陳瑞琦. 淺表層損傷對軟骨摩擦磨損與滲透滯留性能的影響研究[D]. 天津: 天津理工大學, 2025: 11-13.
35.
36.	孫玉琴. 關節軟骨的多孔彈性及分層電學特性研究[D]. 太原: 太原理工大學, 2022: 40-41.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.	全洲. 靜態/力學載荷下軟骨組織內分子轉運規律的研究[D]. 天津: 天津理工大學, 2023: 15-30.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Bestwick-Stevenson T, Ifesemen O S, Pearson R G, et al. Association of sports participation with osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Orthop J Sports Med, 2021, 9(6): 23259671211004554.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29. Maroudas A, Bullough P, Swanson S A V, et al. The permeability of articular cartilage[J]. J Bone Joint Surg Br, 1968, 50-B(1): 166-177.
30.
31.
32.
33. Kumar P, Oka M, Toguchida J, et al. Role of uppermost superficial surface layer of articular cartilage in the lubrication mechanism of joints[J]. J Anat, 2001, 199(Pt 3): 241-250.
34. 陳瑞琦. 淺表層損傷對軟骨摩擦磨損與滲透滯留性能的影響研究[D]. 天津: 天津理工大學, 2025: 11-13.
35.
36. 孫玉琴. 關節軟骨的多孔彈性及分層電學特性研究[D]. 太原: 太原理工大學, 2022: 40-41.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41. 全洲. 靜態/力學載荷下軟骨組織內分子轉運規律的研究[D]. 天津: 天津理工大學, 2023: 15-30.

Journal of Biomedical Engineering

Study on the effect of superficial layer damage on cartilage retention performance

Abstract Full text Figures/Tables Video References Cited by

Previous Article

Next Article

Format

Content