Effects of mechanical load on cartilage matrix biosynthesis in vitro

Cultured bovine articular cartilage full thickness explants were mechanically loaded, both statically and cyclically, at high frequency (2s of load with 2s intervals of no load) and low frequency (60s of load with 60s intervals of no load), at 1 MPa. Metabolic effects of the load were studied by radiolabeling and compared with non-loaded cartilage explants. High frequency load had a stimulatory effect on protein and proteoglycan synthesis while low frequency and static load showed decreased synthesis. Removing the load from the cultures restored synthesis to non-loaded control culture levels. No major differences in protein biosynthetic pattern were revealed, as determined by SDS-PAGE and fluorography, showing the generalized nature of the response.