Real-time optical redox imaging of cartilage metabolic response to mechanical loading

Metabolic dysregulation has recently been identified as a key feature of osteoarthritis. Mechanical overloading has been postulated as a primary cause of this metabolic response. Current methods of real-time metabolic activity analysis in cartilage are limited and challenging. However, optical redox imaging leverages the autofluorescence of co-enzymes NAD(P)H and FAD to provide dye-free real-time analysis of metabolic activity. This technique has not yet been applied to cartilage. This study aimed to assess the effects of a compressive load on cartilage using optical redox imaging.

Cartilage samples were excised from porcine femoral condyles. To validate this imaging modality in cartilage, glycolysis was inhibited via 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) and oxidative phosphorylation was inhibited by rotenone. Optical redox images were collected pre- and post-inhibition. To assess the effects of mechanical loading, samples were subjected to a compressive load and imaged for approximately 30 min. Load and strain parameters were determined using high-speed camera images in Matlab. A range of loading magnitudes and rates were applied across samples.

2DG and rotenone demonstrated the expected inhibitory effects on fluorescence intensity in the channels corresponding to NAD(P)H and FAD, respectively. Mechanical loading induced an increase in NAD(P)H channel fluorescence which subsided by 30 min post-loading. Magnitude of loading parameters had mixed effects on metabolites.

Optical redox imaging provides an opportunity to assess real-time metabolic activity in cartilage. This approach revealed a metabolic response to a single load and can be used to provide insight into the role of metabolism in mechanically-mediated cartilage degradation.