Dendrimer-IGF-1 reduced width of cartilage degeneration by 60% and volumetric osteophyte burden by 80% relative to untreated rats at 4 weeks after surgery.
In addition, histologic sections of articular cartilage and osteophytes obtained during surgery for total knee replacement were graded using the Mankin score, and were immunostained using antibodies to leptin, transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).
We have used, therefore, the technique of in situ hybridization to study the expression of the mRNAs for IGFs I and II and the type 1 IGF receptor in adult human osteophyte tissue.