Research on the Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Targets of Articular Cartilage Degeneration in Osteoarthritis

NCT07796607 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: XS2023-019
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Before you are included in this study, you will undergo the following examinations to determine if you are eligible to participate: Before you are included in this study, your doctor will ask and record your medical history, conduct a physical examination on you, and perform necessary imaging tests. 2. If you are more than qualified examination, will study according to the following steps: if you meet the inclusion criteria, will study according to the following steps: (1) when you accept total knee replacement, the doctor will collect a small piece of articular cartilage (0.5 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm) used for research and analysis. (2) The process of collecting tissue specimens will be carried out by experienced orthopedic doctors, and the entire process will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes. One week and two weeks after the operation, the doctor will follow up with you to understand your recovery progress. 3, other matters need your cooperation: please timely follow-up to the hospital after the operation, so that the doctor evaluate your recovery.

Conditions

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Cell Morphology Assessed by Transmission Electron Microscopy

  Qualitative assessment of overall cell morphology (e.g., normal, swollen, necrotic) in articular cartilage samples.

  Perioperative/Periprocedural

• Mitochondrial Status Assessed by Transmission Electron Microscopy

  Assessment of mitochondrial ultrastructure, including membrane integrity and cristae architecture.

  Perioperative/Periprocedural

• Autophagosome Quantity Assessed by Transmission Electron Microscopy

  Quantification of autophagosome numbers per cell in articular cartilage samples.

  Perioperative/Periprocedural

Study Arms (2)

normal control

Osteoarthritis

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study enrolled 15 OA patients and 15 normal controls at Kunming Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. All provided informed consent; basic and disease data were collected. Cartilage specimens were obtained intraoperatively by orthopedic surgeons. OA group: total knee arthroplasty patients. Normal control group: OA-free subjects from two sources: (1) femoral head replacement (Garden I/II) or knee arthroscopy for meniscal/ligament injury, and (2) traumatic lower-limb amputation. In source 1, cartilage was taken from the operated joint (hip/knee); in source 2, from the intact joint of the amputated limb. All control cartilage was confirmed Outerbridge grade 0 intraoperatively.

You may qualify if:

• Osteoarthritis group:
• Meets the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria for osteoarthritis: ① Persistent knee pain for ≥1 month; ② X-ray shows osteophytes at the knee joint margin; ③ Age ≥50 years; ④ Morning stiffness \<30 minutes; ⑤ Knee joint friction sounds. (Diagnosis requires item ① plus any two of items ②-⑤).
• Radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grade ≥2;
• Complete the entire treatment course without interruption or modification of the treatment plan during the process;
• Complete the full-process assessment and follow-up;
• The image and medical record materials are complete.
• Normal control group:
• Normal Control Group (subjects must meet criteria for one of the following two sources):
• (1) Source A - Non-arthritic surgery patients:
• )No history of knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis, infectious arthritis, or other joint diseases 2)Undergoing surgery for one of the following indications:
• Femoral neck fracture (Garden type I/II) treated with artificial femoral head replacement
• Simple meniscus injury or ligament injury requiring knee arthroscopy 3)Preoperative X-ray of the joint from which cartilage will be collected shows normal joint space, K-L grade 0, and no osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, or cystic change (hip joint for femoral head replacement; knee joint for arthroscopy) 3)Intraoperative macroscopic observation or specimen evaluation confirms smooth cartilage surface with no softening, fissure, or fibrosis (Outerbridge grade 0) 4)Complete imaging and medical records available
• Source B - Traumatic amputees:
• No history of any joint disease (knee osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gouty, infectious arthritis, etc.)
• Undergoing amputation of a lower limb purely for traumatic reasons, with no pre-existing joint pathology in the limb to be amputated

You may not qualify if:

• ① Combined with other types of joint diseases, autoimmune diseases or bone metabolic diseases;
• ② Has a history of drug abuse;
• ③ Those who have not signed the informed consent form;
• ④ Suffering from mental illness and unable to cooperate with research;
• ⑤ Other personnel who are not suitable to participate in the research.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine: lead

Study Sites (1)

Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine

Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Osteoarthritis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Month
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Sponsor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 18, 2026
• First Posted: September 1, 2026
• Study Start: January 29, 2026
• Primary Completion: August 31, 2026
• Study Completion: August 31, 2026
• Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

CN (1)