Effects Of Loaded Swimming Exercise On Knee Osteoarthritis In Rats

Objects: Through the loaded swimming exercise to observe effects of pathologicalchanges， serum superoxide dismutase(SOD) and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents，expressional rates of matrix metalloproteinase-13(MMP-13) and exercise abilities of rats,discussed the mechanism of loaded swimming exercise in treating knee osteoarthritis(KOA), and offered the theoretical evidence that loaded swimming exercise can be used inclinical practice. Methods:50Wistar rats were divided into two groups: normal group(20rats) and model group(30rats). Rats in the model group were established into rat kneeosteoarthritis model by papain injecting. When models were done, took10rats from eachnormal group and model group:①observed pathological changes of knee articular cartilagein rats with eyes and optical microscopes, then scored;②determined contents of serum SODand MDA in rats by using Elisa technology;③observed the expressional rates of MMP-13in knee articular cartilage in rats by using immunohistochemical technology;④evaluatedexercise abilities of rats. The rests of model group were divided into two groups: loadedswimming group (10rats) and control group (10rats). There were no extra interventions inrats in normal group or control group. Rats in loaded swimming group took loadedswimming exercise for6weeks. After that, surveyed all4indicators which be mentionedbefore in rats in the3groups. Results: The scores of pathological changes, the serumMDA content and the expressional rates of MMP-13in knee articular cartilage in rats inmodel group were increased significantly than normal group（p＜0.05）, and the serum SODcontent and exercise abilities were decreased significantly than normal group（p＜0.05）. Thescores of pathological changes and the expressional rates of MMP-13in knee articularcartilage in rats in loaded swimming group were decreased significantly than control group（p＜0.05）, and the serum SOD content and exercise abilities were increased significantlythan control group（p＜0.05）. Conclusions: Loaded swimming exercise can delay thearticular cartilage damage in KOA rats. Loaded swimming exercise can inhibit theexpressional rats of MMP-13in knee articular cartilage in KOA rats. Loaded swimmingexercise can increase the serum SOD content in KOA rats. Loaded swimming exercise canincrease the exercise abilities of KOA rats. Loaded swimming exercise can be a physicaltherapy to treat KOA.