Study on the Mechanisms of Cartilage Tissue Damage Caused by Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), normally used in the prevention of local bacterial infection, is also used for clinical debridement in bone and joint surgery. Studies show that treatment with H2O2 can cause cartilage damage, leading to postoperative complications. H2O2 can induce apoptosis because of its strong oxidation activity. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of H2O2-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, the rat chondrocytes from the knee joint were used as a cell model for this study. The results showed that the H2O2-treated cells survived at a decreased rate, with apoptosis in a great number of chondrocytes. The expression of pro-apoptotic factors of chondrocytes, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl, were downregulated, while the pro-apoptotic factor Bax upregulated. Two important factors ERK and p38 in MAPK signaling pathway were phosphorylated at a higher level, leading to apoptosis of chondrocytes. This study described the molecular mechanism of H2O2-induced chondrocyte apoptosis, providing a theoretical basis for the rational and clinical use of H2O2 as a disinfectant.