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Ανάλυση δομής οστεοαρθριτικού χόνδρου γόνατος ανθρώπου (Bachelor thesis)

Δούκουρης, Νικόλαος/ Doukouris, Nikolaos

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and progressive degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by degradation and degeneration of the articular cartilage, inflammation of joint tissues, and structural remodeling of the joint architecture. A key underlying mechanism is the disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, where the breakdown of its main components (type II collagen and proteoglycans) by inflammatory mediators impairs the tissue's capacity for proper regeneration. This results in the loss of the cartilage’s mechanical strength, elasticity, and overall function. The present study focuses on analyzing the structure of articular cartilage in patients with knee OA, using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The cartilage samples were classified into three stages of the disease (KL2, KL3, KL4) based on the Kellgren–Lawrence grading system and analyzed in terms of their microstructure and nanostructure, with emphasis on the stage-specific changes. The results revealed a significant increase in porosity, alterations in the microarchitecture at advanced stages, and changes in the nanostructure of collagen and proteoglycans, all of which are closely linked to disease progression. The combined use of these two techniques provided a comprehensive approach to studying OA-related cartilage degeneration, highlighting the importance of advanced imaging methods for early diagnosis and monitoring of osteoarthritis.