Effects of losartan and atorvastatin on the development of early posttraumatic joint stiffness in a rat model

Abstract

Background

After a trauma, exuberant tissue healing with fibrosis of the joint capsule can lead to posttraumatic joint stiffness (PTJS). Losartan and atorvastatin have both shown their antifibrotic effects in different organ systems.

Objective

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the influence of losartan and atorvastatin on the early development of joint contracture. In addition to joint angles, the change in myofibroblast numbers and the distribution of bone sialoprotein (BSP) were assessed.

Study design and methods

In this randomized and blinded experimental study with 24 rats, losartan and atorvastatin were compared to a placebo. After an initial joint injury, rat knees were immobilized with a Kirschner wire. Rats received either losartan, atorvastatin or a placebo orally daily. After 14 days, joint angle measurements and histological assessments were performed.

Results

Losartan increased the length of the inferior joint capsule. Joint angle and other capsule length measurements did not reveal significant differences between both drugs and the placebo. At cellular level both losartan and atorvastatin reduced the total number of myofibroblasts (losartan: 191±77, atorvastatin: 98±58, placebo: 319±113 per counting field, p<0.01) and the percentage area of myofibroblasts (losartan: 2.8±1.8% [p<0.05], atorvastatin: 2.5±1.7% [p<0.01], vs control [6.4±4%], respectively). BSP was detectable in equivalent amounts in the joint capsules of all groups with only a trend toward a reduction of the BSP-stained area by atorvastatin.

Conclusion

Both atorvastatin and losartan reduced the number of myofibroblasts in the posterior knee joint capsule of rat knees 2 weeks after trauma and losartan increased the length of the inferior joint capsule. However, these changes at the cellular level did not translate an increase in range of motion of the rats´ knee joints during early contracture development.

Introduction

In case of joint dislocation or joint-related fractures, tissue integrity is compromised and mechanisms for the rapid restoration of mechanical stability are initiated.1–3 Exuberant tissue healing can lead to posttraumatic joint stiffness (PTJS) and a reduced quality of life of those affected. PTJS is a fibrotic joint disorder that can occur in most joints after injury or trauma. It is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production and synovial adhesions that result in restricted joint motion. Synonyms for this disorder are joint contracture, stiff knee, stiff elbow or arthrofibrosis.4,5 In our study, PTJS of the knee was defined as a limited passive extension of the knee joint after trauma, which was not caused by incongruency of the joint. Prolonged physiotherapeutic treatment or operative removal of the joint capsule (with certain associated risks) are often capable of improving the range of motion in PTJS. Still, there is no medical prophylaxis or treatment for this crippling condition. It has been shown that joint contracture is associated with an increased number of myoblastic differentiated fibroblasts, the so-called myofibroblasts.3,6 Myofibroblasts are fibroblast-like cells that form intracellular stress fiber microfilament bundles. These bundles express contractile proteins, such as alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and allow the cells to have a high contractile activity.1,7 In addition, myofibroblasts develop integrins and large focal adhesions to link the cytoskeleton to the ECM.8 In this way, cell forces can be transmitted to the ECM and, vice versa, extracellular mechanical stress can be sensed by the myofibroblast. The mechanical load of the ECM is partially generated by the myofibroblasts and leads to a positive feedback, which, together with stimulation by TGF-ß1, results in their persistent activity. Persistent myofibroblasts were found in posttraumatic joint contractures or pathological scar tissue. Since they are known to synthesize large amounts of ECM, fibrogenic mediators and protease inhibitors, the myofibroblast is thought to be a paramount effector cell in many fibrotic diseases.9 Besides the increase of ECM production and the formation of synovial adhesions, heterotopic ossifications (HOs) are often formed in PTJS.10,11 Bosse et al proved the presence of bone sialoprotein (BSP) in HOs and in the activity centers of early osteogenetic areas with accumulation in fibroblasts and preosteoblasts.12 Hegyi et al could confirm the presence of BSP in stromal cells and endothelial cells of fibroproliferative lesions in patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.13 Within these fibroproliferative lesions, which are known to progress to form HO, many stromal cells expressed α-SMA as well. In a rat model of ectopic bone formation in a muscle pouch of the thigh, we could show that BSP is capable of inducing HO (unpublished data). BSP can usually be found in subchondral bone, but its serum and joint fluid levels are increased after knee injury.14,15 Its role and distribution in the development of PTJS remain unclear. Our hypothesis is that the early expression of BSP in the posttraumatic joint capsule could lead to the later formation of HO and that the reduction of early BSP expression might attenuate their development.

Apart from their occurrence in posttraumatic joint contractures, myofibroblasts are also a characteristic for fibrosis of organs such as liver, heart, lung or kidney. Significant progress has been made in recent years in the study of the regulatory mechanisms of myofibroblast activation. From these findings, new approaches to treat fibrotic diseases of various organ systems have been developed. To date, antibodies against TGF-ß1 or the α2 chain of collagen I have been tested in rabbit models of posttraumatic joint contracture, which successfully led to the reduction of postoperative joint contracture.16,17 However, the low half-life of the antibodies necessitated continuous intra articular administration by pumping. Similarly, in a rabbit model, mast cell inhibition via decreased release of profibrotic growth factors (basic fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, nerve growth factor and TGF-ß1) resulted in decreased postoperative joint contracture.18 In a rat model of postoperative contracture, it was shown that intra articular administration of special interfering RNA molecules successfully disrupted a profibrotic signaling cascade, leading to decreased contracture.19

Numerous in vitro studies have shown that inhibition of profibrotic factors or their signaling cascades can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of myofibroblasts.9,20–22 In recent in vitro studies, the drugs losartan, an angiotensin receptor antagonist, and atorvastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, proved to be able to inhibit myofibroblast differentiation.23,24 Klein et al showed that atorvastatin concentration-dependently lowered the mRNA levels of profibrotic cytokines (TGF-β1 and connective tissue growth factor [CTGF]).24 In a rat model of liver fibrosis, Trebicka et al demonstrated that early atorvastatin administration not only retards activation of myofibroblasts and reduces subsequent collagen deposition, but also reduces the proliferation rate of myofibroblasts in fibrosis.25 The anti fibrotic effect of atorvastatin could also be demonstrated for fibrotic remodeling of the heart or for fibrotic remodeling of the lung.26,27 TGF-β1 is more extensively expressed in tissue injury, but is also stimulated by the oligopeptide hormone angiotensin II through the angiotensin type 1 (AT-1) receptor in fibroblasts.28,29 AT-1 receptor antagonists, such as losartan, can abolish this stimulation and have been effective in reducing fibrosis on various organ systems.30–34 It was shown that the blockade of AT‐1 receptors by losartan reduced the fibrosis in skeletal muscle.35–37 However, the applicability of these results to fibrosis in PTJS remains unclear. In a former study, we successfully established a reproducible model of PTJS in rats.38 First, we used a hyperextension of −45° of the knee joint in order to disrupt the posterior joint capsule. Second, a 2-mm-thick and 4-mm-deep hole was drilled into the non cartilaginous part of the lateral femoral condyle to create a standardized intraarticular bony lesion and a hemarthros. Finally, the knee joint was fixed in a knee flexion angle of 145° for 4 weeks. The reliability of this model and the easy handling of rats render it particularly suitable for the evaluation of medical treatment options. To clarify the anti fibrotic effects of losartan and atorvastatin on the joint capsule, we undertook an in vivo study in our aforementioned rat model. Our objective was to determine if the daily oral administration of atorvastatin or losartan was associated with a reduced number of myofibroblast and a reduction in joint contracture development after 2 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the reduction of joint contracture. Secondary endpoints were differences in cell numbers and changes in the morphology of the posterior joint capsule. Our hypothesis was that atorvastatin and losartan reduce posttraumatic joint contracture via reduction of myofibroblast numbers in the posterior joint capsule in rats. This might lead to a prophylactic treatment of posttraumatic and postoperative joint stiffness in orthopedic and trauma surgery.

Methods

Study design

24 male Sprague Dawley rats (Janvier Labs, Saint-Berthevin Cedex, France) with a mean weight of 391±15 g and an age of 10 weeks were used for this in vivo study. All animals were kept individually in Makrolon type IV cages (Zoonlab, Castrop-Rauxel, Germany) at room temperature in a 12-hr light/dark cycle. Experimental setup was planned with the Experimental Design Assistant (https://eda.nc3rs.org.uk/). The rats were randomized with RandList (V 1.2, http://randomisation.eu/) into three equal groups (n=8), two drug groups and a placebo control group. The number of animals was based on sample size calculations based on our previous study.38 Animal caretakers and operating surgeons were blinded and not informed whether a drug or a placebo was administered. Medications were grounded in mortars and mixed with white chocolate spread, which was offered to the animals. The animals gave the treat priority over the regular chow and consumed it immediately and completely. All animals underwent the same surgical procedure and differed in the administered drug only (losartan [30 mg/kg/day orally], atorvastatin [15 mg/kg/day orally] and control [placebo]), which was given once daily for 14 days from operation day till euthanasia. The doses of the drugs were selected based on previous small animal models.39–44 This study was approved by the local ethics committee (ID 23 177–07/G 13–1-043).

Injury model and surgical procedure

Standardized capsular and bony knee injuries were surgically created to imitate injury patterns seen in human joint injuries that can lead to PTJS, as described previously.38 In brief, after measurement of the initial range of motion of the joint, the left knee of the anesthetized rats was hyperextended to −45° in order to disrupt the posterior joint capsule. After surgical prepping, the animals were operated on the left limb under sterile conditions. A 2-mm-thick and 4-mm-deep hole was drilled into the non cartilaginous portion of the lateral femoral condyle (without lateral collateral ligament damage). After that, the knee joint was retained in a 145° flexed position with a K-wire (Kirschner wire), which was driven through tibia and femur and bent around the bones (Figure 1). Accidental fractures were ruled out and fixation angle was checked via fluoroscopy. During the 2-week immobilization period, the animals had free cage activity and access to water ad libitum. Drinking water was supplemented with tramadol (1 mg/mL) 3 days before and 5 days after surgery. Access to food was free after administering the daily dose of the respective drug or placebo. Animals were evaluated at least every second day to identify symptoms of pain or distress and to ensure proper wound healing of the constrained legs. Two weeks after the initial operation, the K-wires were removed and all animals underwent joint angle measurements immediately. All animals were sacrificed after joint angle measurements using carbon dioxide (CO₂) inhalation. Knee joints were preserved for histological and immunohistochemical examinations.

Figure 1.

K-wire fixation and immobilization of a knee joint in a 145° flexed position. The black spot reflects the hole in the lateral femoral condyle.

Joint angle measurements

The joint contracture angle was defined as the deviation between the physiological extension of the knee joint of each rat before the operation and the remaining degree of extension after 2 weeks of joint immobilization. All angle measurements were performed under general anesthesia after K-wire removal. The rats were placed on a custom-built mechanical testing system and 35 N mm extension torque was applied to the lower leg. Lateral radiographs were taken (MX-20 cabinet X-ray system, Faxitron, DOM 2009) and analyzed with ImageJ (Version 1.50e). Additional details regarding the positioning of the animals and measurement of the angles were previously reported.38 After that first measurement of the extension of the knee joint, all soft tissues were circumferentially cut 10 mm proximal and distal to the joint line. The gain in joint extension through that incision was defined as myogenic contracture. The difference between the extension after the soft tissue cut and the initial physiological extension of the knee joint was interpreted as arthrogenic or capsular contracture.

Histological assessment

Tissue preparation

For histological analysis and morphometrical evaluation, the knee joints were removed and fixed in 4.5% formaldehyde solution (Carl-Roth, Karlsruhe, Germany) and stored at room temperature after completion of joint angle measurements. The joints were subsequently decalcified in 17.7% EDTA (Applichem, Darmstadt, Germany) solution buffered with TRIS (Applichem) at room temperature for 6 weeks. Knee joints were embedded in paraffin and cut into 5 µm sagittal sections with a microtome. For orientation, every fifth section was stained with HE according to a standard protocol. Slides were chosen from the para-median mid-region of the joint. A slice was considered appropriate when all the relevant structures were present (ie, femoral condyle, tibial plateau, triangular cross section of the posterior part of the meniscus with adjacent posterior joint capsule, untorn synovial folds) and if there were no artifacts from tissue preparation. For the morphometrical evaluation of joint parameters, n=3 slides in the control and n=4 slides in the losartan and atorvastatin group, respectively, were evaluated independently by two blinded investigators. Cell count and immunohistochemical evaluation were performed by a third blinded investigator with the same number of slices. The samples evaluated all came from different animals. Appropriate slices were processed as follows for immunohistological analysis: hydrated slices were incubated with protein kinase K (Dako, Hamburg, Germany) for 10 mins followed by two 5-min washing steps in PBS. Endogenous peroxidases were blocked with 3% hydrogen peroxide (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), followed by several washing steps with PBS, an incubation in 10% horse serum for 30 mins and incubation with the first antibody overnight at 4°C (α-SMA [Arigo Biolaboratories, Hsinchu City, Taiwan] and BSP [Immundiagnostik, Bensheim, Germany]). Controls were incubated in PBS with 1% BSA. On the next day, the samples were incubated with a biotinylated link (Dako), followed by streptavidin–horseradish peroxidase (HRP, Dako) with several washing steps in between. Incubation and conversion with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) substrate–chromogen (Dako) were concurrently stopped with distilled water after the appearance of a brown-colored precipitate in the positive control. Finally, the samples were counterstained with hematoxylin.

Morphometrical evaluation of joint parameters

Sagittal sections of the knee joints were photographed for histological observation and analyzed with ImageJ (Version 1.50e). Three parameters of the capsule were measured in detail according to a previously reported method: the postero superior synovial length, the posteroinferior synovial length and the capsular thickness behind the posterior border of the meniscus (Figure 2).45,46 Knee joint contracture appears to be evoked by a shortened posterior synovial length.47–51

Figure 2.

Morphometrical parameters in a HE-stained section in the sagittal plane: *postero superior synovial length between the meniscus and the femur-synovial junction; **posteroinferior synovial length between the meniscus and the tibia–synovial junction; ***capsule thickness between the posterior border of the meniscus and the muscle layer.

Abbreviations: F, femoral condyle; T, tibial head; M, meniscus.

Cell count and immunohistochemical evaluation

Cell nuclei were visualized by counterstaining with hematoxylin; α-SMA- and BSP-positive cells were visualized by immunohistological staining after treatment with the respective antibodies. In brief, an area of 97,035.9 µm² (counting field with side lengths of 361.4 µm x 268.5 μm) of the posterior joint capsule, which was located directly behind the meniscus, was chosen for the cell count. This area is referred to as the staining area. For cell count, the images were converted into binary images via a threshold application and counted with ImageJ (Version 1.50e). We have used a cell diameter threshold for cell counting in order not to count small artifacts. The area of the cells was computed and set in relation to the total area. Myofibroblasts, pericytic cells and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels express α-SMA.7 α-SMA-positive cells outside of blood vessels were defined as myofibroblasts, whereas all luminal structures with immunostaining of α-SMA in their surrounding cells were interpreted as blood vessels.52 Since BSP does not only occur in cells, but also in the ECM, a clear differentiation of the cells is not possible as with α-SMA. Therefore, for BSP, we only determined the staining intensity and computed the BSP-positive area in relation to the total area. Assessment of staining intensity was performed with ImageJ (Version 1.50e) and measured in folds of intensity in comparison to the blank control.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS V 23.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). We conducted a one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc analysis. A Welch-ANOVA with Games–Howell post-hoc analysis was carried out when the assumption of variance homogeneity was violated. Extreme outliers in the data (values above the 95th or below the 5th percentile) were replaced by the 95th or 5th percentile, respectively (90% winsorization). Quantitative results in the text are presented as means ± SD. Quantitative results in the figures are depicted as a box and whiskers chart. The box represents the IQR and the ends of the whisker represent the respective minimum or maximum value (or, in case of outliers, the ends of the whiskers represent one and a half times the IQR). The median is represented by a horizontal bar in the box. Outliers (>1.5 SDs from the mean) are represented by circles. p-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. The correctness of the applied statistical methods has been verified by the Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany.

Results

Perioperative weight development and complications

All 24 rats that were initially randomized to losartan, atorvastatin and placebo group underwent surgery without any complications. Before the operation, the average weight was 391±15 g. Seven rats lost weight during the first week, but all of them recovered during the second week. The mean weight at the time of joint angle measurement was 436±21 g. We did not see any infections, fractures or K-wire dislocations.

Joint angle measurement

Development of joint contracture

Rats have a physiological deficit of joint extension and do not reach an extension of 0°. At the beginning of the study and before any operation, the rats´ physiological extension deficit was 32.4° ±5.8° in the losartan group, 32.3° ±8.8° in the control and 31.3° ±8.7° in the atorvastatin group without significant differences. Joint angle measurements were repeated after 2 weeks, followed by immediate euthanization. After K-wire removal, 35 N mm of extension torque was applied to the ankle and knee joint extension was measured. In this first step, the periarticular muscles were left intact and thus the combined contracture of muscles and joint capsule/ligaments was quantified. We observed a significant increase in joint extension deficit in all groups at week 2 (losartan: 96.1° ±6.7°, control: 93.1° ±7.8°, atorvastatin: 99.7° ±12°, p<0.001). However, there was no difference detectable between the groups at week 2 (Figure 3).

Figure 3.

Comparison of the extension deficit of knee joints before treatment and after 2 weeks. Joint contracture (the difference between extension deficit after 2 weeks and week 0) developed in all groups without significant differences between the groups.

Myogenic contracture

After the first measurement of the joint contracture, the skin was removed and a periarticular myotomy 10 mm proximal and distal to the joint line was performed. This muscular release led to an improved extension of the knee joint, which corresponded to the extent of joint contracture caused by periarticular muscles. There was no observable significant difference in myogenic contracture between the treatment groups and the control (losartan: 24.8° ±7.6° [p=0.43 to control], control: 29.7° ±5.9°, atorvastatin: 32.9° ±9.4° [p=0.70 to control]). Furthermore, the effect of losartan on myogenic contracture was not different from that of atorvastatin (p=0.12, Figure 4).

Figure 4.

Myogenic joint contracture did not differ significantly between the treatment groups and the control. Outliers are represented by circles and extreme outliers by an asterisk.

Arthrogenic contracture

A persisting extension deficit after myotomy is caused by joint capsule contracture, ligament shortening and synovial adhesions, summarized as arthrogenic contracture. About half of the total joint contracture can be attributed to arthrogenic contracture. With 31.2° ±14.0° in the control, the arthrogenic contracture was not significantly reduced by administration of both losartan (37.2° ±9.5°, p=0.38 to control) and atorvastatin (31.0° ±14.7°, p=0.99 to control). As with the results for myogenic contracture, arthrogenic contracture did not vary between both treatment groups (p=0.36, Figure 5).

Figure 5.

Arthrogenic contracture after administration of losartan, atorvastatin or placebo (control). Outliers are represented by circles.

Histological assessment

Joint capsule length

In absence of structural damage to joint surfaces, arthrogenic contracture is mostly ascribed to a shortened joint capsule and synovial adhesions. Joint tissue sections were harvested after 2 weeks and dyed with H&E. Digitized and calibrated pictures were used to determine the capsule parameters.

We observed a significantly longer inferior capsule in the losartan group (2.8 mm ±1.3 mm) in comparison to the control (1.1±0.3 mm, p<0.05) and to atorvastatin (0.9±0.3 mm, p<0.05). Atorvastatin did not increase the length of the inferior capsule in comparison to the control (p=0.74). For the superior capsule, we only found a non significant trend toward a longer capsule under medical treatment with both losartan and atorvastatin (losartan: 2.0 mm ±0.6 mm, control: 1.7 mm ±1.4 mm, atorvastatin: 1.9 mm ±1.0 mm, p>0.85, Figure 6).

Figure 6.

Depiction of the length of the superior and inferior parts of the posterior knee joint capsule after 2 weeks (*p<0.05).

Joint capsule thickness

When we compared the two treatment groups, we observed a significant reduction in capsule thickness under atorvastatin treatment (0.7 mm ±0.2 mm, p<0.05 vs losartan with 1.1 mm ±0.4 mm). The posterior joint capsule behind the meniscus tended to be thicker when the rats were treated with losartan in comparison to control (0.8 mm ±0.3 mm, p=0.20), while atorvastatin tended to reduce the capsules thickness (p=0.50 to control). However, the differences between treatment groups and the control were not significant at week 2 (Figure 7).

Figure 7.

Comparison of the thickness of the posterior knee joint capsule after 2 weeks (*p<0.05).

Immunohistochemistry

Immunohistochemistry of α-SMA

Myofibroblasts, pericytic cells and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels in the joint capsule express α-SMA.7,53 After staining with the respective antibodies, we examined the histological sections. α-SMA-positive cells were found in abundance at the transition from the posterior capsule to the meniscus (Figure 8).

Figure 8.

(A) Overview of the histological sagittal section of the posterior knee joint with femur (F), tibia (T), meniscus (M), αSMA-positive vessels (green arrows), superior and inferior capsular regions (black arrows) and synovial lining (white arrows). (B) Detailed view of the central region behind the meniscus, in which the 361.4×268.5 µm counting field was placed. αSMA-positive cells appear brown and either belong to vessels (green arrows) or are defined as myofibroblasts (red arrows).

α-SMA-positive cells covered 6.4% ±4% of the capsule area in the control. Both losartan and atorvastatin reduced the area covered by α-SMA-stained cells (2.8% ±1.8% [p<0.05] and 2.5% ±1.7% [p<0.01], respectively). This constellation is also resembled by the absolute and relative number of myofibroblasts. We counted 319±113 myofibroblasts, accounting for 79% of all 406±157 cells per counting field in the control. In rats receiving losartan, the myofibroblast numbers decreased to 191±77 (61% of all cells). Atorvastatin lowered the myofibroblast numbers even more to 98±58 (24% of all cells, Table 1).

Table 1.

Total amount and ratio of myofibroblasts

	Number of myofibroblasts	Total cell number	Ratio of myofibroblasts/ total cell number	p-value
Losartan	191±77	312±133	61%	p<0.01 vs control p<0.05 vs atorvastatin
Control	319±113	406±157	79%	p<0.01 vs losartan p<0.001 vs atorvastatin
Atorvastatin	98±58	410±108	24%	p<0.001 vs control p<0.05 vs losartan

Immunhistochemistry of BSP

BSP is usually situated in the ECMof bone and plays a role during remodeling of bone and during the formation of ectopic ossifications.54,55 BSP was detectable in small amounts in all groups. It was mostly found close to the synovial membrane and in the superficial cartilage areas, as can be seen in the overview image (Figure 9). The assessment of staining intensity showed no major differences between the treatment groups and the control (losartan: 1.3±0.4, control: 1.2±0.8 and atorvastatin: 1.0±0.4 [measured in folds of intensity in comparison to blank control]). Atorvastatin treatment reduced the BSP-stained area by trend (9.7% ±9.9%) in comparison to the control (19.8% ±15.6%) and to losartan (17.8% ±10.0%).

Figure 9.

(A) BSP-positive staining is situated mostly in and close to the synovial membrane (white arrows) and in the superficial cartilage of the tibia (T) and the meniscus (M). Superior and inferior capsular regions are pointed out by black arrows. In the enlarged view of the capsule behind the meniscus, (B) BSP-stained areas can be found close to the meniscal border and around vessels (green arrows).

Abbreviation: F, femur.

Discussion

Joint stiffness is a disabling condition and occurs mostly after trauma or operation.4,56 Excessive active exercises or stretching might even aggravate the fibrosis and subsequent motion restriction.57–59 Although the surgical treatment of joint stiffness can improve joint motion, there is an urgent need for a non invasive prophylactic or first-line treatment.

In recent years, several new animal models of immobility-induced contractures and PTJS were established (Table 2). Many research groups are interested in understanding the underlying processes of contracture development and how drug application might slow it down or even stop it. After injury of the joint, several different cell types (eg, mast cells, macrophages, neutrophils, platelets, leukocytes and fibroblasts) migrate into the damaged tissue and induce the production of cytokines and growth factors.60,61 This leads to excessive collagen production and finally to fibrosis of the joint capsule.62,63 Immobilization, local hypoxia and intraarticular hematoma promote the development of contracture.52,64,65 Myofibroblasts play a decisive role in contracture development and fibrotic capsule remodeling by the expression of collagen and the contractile protein α-SMA.22,66

Table 2.

Comprehensive list of in vivo models of joint stiffness with medical treatment in chronological order

Author/year	Animal, joint	Induction of trauma	Drug	Application	Reduction of contracture	Decreased myofibroblast numbers
Clark et al,112 1971	Rat, knee	No	Triamcinolone	Intraarticular injection	Yes	Not measured
Namba et al,95 1992	Rabbit, ankle	Yes	Triamcinolone	Singular intraarticular injection	Yes	Not measured
Kikuchi et al,104 1993	Rabbit, knee	No	High-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate (SL-1010)	Intraarticular injection	Yes	Not measured
Fukui et al,16 2000	Rabbit, knee	Yes	TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody	Continuous intraarticular injection via implanted pumps	Yes	Not measured
Fukui et al,96 2001	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Proteoglycan decorin	Continuous intraarticular injection via implanted pumps	Yes	Not measured
Brunelli et al,97 2005	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Cross linked hyaluronan (Hyaloglide)	Singular intraarticular injection	Not measured, but reduction of capsular adhesion observed.	Not measured
Monument et al,18 2010	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Ketotifen fumarate	Subcutaneous injection twice daily	Yes	Yes
Kocoaglu et al,98 2011	Rat, knee	Yes	Mitomycin C	Weekly intraarticular injection	Not measured, but reduction of arthrofibrosis observed.	Not measured
Emami et al,99 2012	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Bevacizumab	One or two intraarticular injections	Yes, but only after two injections	Not measured (but fibroblast numbers decreased)
Li et al,108 2013	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Celecoxib	Orally, twice daily	Yes	Not measured (but fibroblast numbers decreased)
Li et al, 201319	Rat, knee	Yes	Lentivirus (LV)-mediated ERK2 siRNA	Two intraarticular injections	Yes	Yes
Efird et al,109 2014	Rat, knee	Yes	a) Montelukast, b) Forskolin or c) Triamcinolone	a) orally, daily b and c) two intraarticular injections	Yes	Not measured
Kanazawa et al,100 2015	Rat, knee	No	Hyaluronic acid with high molecular weight	Singular intraarticular injection	Not measured, but more elasticity observed	Not measured
Sotobayashi et al,64 2016	Rat, knee	No	Ribbon-type decoy oligodeoxynucleotides for HIF-1	Singular intraarticular injection	Yes	Not measured
Ozawa et al,110 2016	Rat, knee	No	Celecoxib	Orally, daily	No	Not measured
Barlow et al,111 2016	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Rosiglitazone	Subcutaneous injection on the first 2 days, afterward orally daily	No	No
Steplewski et al,17 2017	Rabbit, knee	Yes	Non modified anti-α2Ct antibody (ACA) and PEGylated ACA (P-ACA)	Continuous intraarticular injection via implanted pumps	Yes	Not measured
Gao et al,101 2017	Rat, knee	Yes	Botulinum toxin A	Singular intraarticular injection	Yes	Not measured (but fibroblast numbers decreased)
Kaneguchi et al,113 2018	Rat, knee	No	Dexamethasone	Daily by subcutaneous injection	Partially	Yes
Itaya et al,102 2018	Rat, knee	No	Pulsed ultrasound	20 mins daily	Yes	Not measured
Wong et al,103 2018	Rat, knee	No	Collagenase	Singular intraarticular injection	Yes	Not measured

Most of the existing studies focus on anti-inflammatory drugs in order to protect the periarticular connective tissues from posttraumatic or immobility-induced regional inflammation (Table 2). In this blinded and randomized study, we sought to find out, if and how orally administered losartan and atorvastatin affect the early phase (first 2 weeks) of the development of joint contracture. Both drugs have shown to successfully inhibit the TGF-β1-triggered inflammatory cascade and subsequent fibrosis in different organ systems, but their effect on the development of joint contracture was unclear.24–27,30–32 TGF-β1 is involved in the formation of fibrosis in many tissues.67,68 It leads to the differentiation of myofibroblasts and increases their synthesis of proteins of the ECM.69 In addition, it induces the production of CTGF, which also has a strong fibrotic effect.70 By inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), TGF-β1 inhibits the degradation of the newly synthesized ECM.71 Losartan is an AT1 receptor blocker and prevents direct activation of TGF-β as well as the angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 via the ERK/p38/MAPK pathway. Normally, the phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 complex with Smad4 and translocate into the nucleus of the cell. This leads to a transcription of TGF-β, procollagen I and III and fibronectin.67,72,73 Atorvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor and is able to inhibit inflammatory responses and collagen fiber production, possibly by inhibiting the expression of TGF- β1.74 Atorvastatin also inhibits the RhoA/ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase) pathway, which plays an important role in the signal transduction of fibrotic and sclerotic diseases.75–77

In the current study, we laid a focus on assessing joint angles, synovial configuration and cell numbers by visualization of myofibroblasts and BSP-positive cells. In a study by Remst et al, a fibrosis of the synovium was found in over 50% of patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and other studies have found an association between OA and fibrosis as well.78–80 There is evidence that high numbers of fibroblasts in knee synovium can prompt inflammation due to overexpression of TGF-β.81,82 BSP is usually located in the ECM of bone and involved in the primary bone formation during embryonic development.83 It could be shown that BSP stimulated osteoblast differentiation, bone growth and vascularization in murine calvarial defect models.84,85 Increased levels of BSP are not only reported in the synovial fluid of inflamed knee joints after injury, in rheumatoid arthritis or in early OA, but also in HOs.12,86,87 Since HO often occurs in PTJS, it appears that BSP is increasingly expressed during inflammation after trauma and promotes the formation of HO. Yet, the presence and distribution pattern of BSP in the posttraumatic joint is still elusive. In the current study, we created a substantial PTJS after 2 weeks in all groups. BSP was not significantly expressed in the posterior capsule; neither the intensity of antibody staining nor the area coverage of positively stained cells was significantly different between the groups. In our experiments, we could not observe any development of HO 2 weeks after the trauma. It could be that BSP accumulates in the capsule and leads to HO only in a later stage of PTJS and that the time window of 2 weeks in the current study is too narrow to notice a corresponding effect.

Since myofibroblast numbers are increased during the development of a joint contracture and reach a peak level about 2 weeks after trauma in human tissues and animal models, we have chose a period of 2 weeks for our experiment.6,88 In our study, the number of myofibroblasts in the posterior joint capsule fell by 40% in rats receiving treatment with losartan and by nearly 70% after atorvastatin administration in comparison to the control. Likewise, the area percentage of myofibroblasts was significantly reduced by about 55% (losartan) and 60% (atorvastatin), respectively. These findings are in accordance with the observations of Abdel et al, who found the number of myofibroblasts at its peak in the contracted limb 2 weeks after the initial operation in their rabbit model of PTJS.6 In immobilization-induced contractures without induced trauma, the limitation to knee range of motion after 2 weeks of immobilization is mostly muscular.47,89 This contrasts with observations in our posttraumatic contracture, where the posterior capsule accounted for about half of the total joint contracture (Figures 3 and 4). Morrey et al hypothesize that it may be the combination of soft tissue trauma, instability and bony trauma that leads to a more clinically relevant contracture in humans.90 Nesterenko et al found a more severe and permanent contracture in their rabbit model of PTJS after ligamentous and capsular disruption. The combination of capsular contracture, adhesions between bony surfaces and the capsule and intraarticular adhesions could be the reason for the predominance of the arthrogenic component of joint contracture.91 However, there are controversial findings from Lake et al, who observed similar histological characteristics for all three groups (ie, sham, minor joint injury and major joint injury) in their rat model of PTJS of the elbow.92 There are not many in vivo studies on medical treatment of joint stiffness that included the cell count of myofibroblasts (Table 2, right column). In the studies that include myofibroblast or fibroblast count, a concordance between decreasing cell numbers and decreasing contracture could be observed. All these studies consider a longer period than we do in our study, usually between 4 and 8 weeks, in some cases longer. It appears that myofibroblast numbers might not be responsible for the early onset of PTJS, since the drug-induced changes in myofibroblast numbers (Table1) and partially in capsule length (Figure 6) did not translate directly into a significant improvement in range of motion. Accordingly, neither synovial length increased nor synovial thickness decreased after 2 weeks of daily drug application. Scarring at the posterior aspect of the joint after the initial trauma with indirect capsular injury might be responsible for that early arthrogenic joint contracture. It is possible that inhibition of myofibroblasts influences contracture development at a later stage, when the physiological wound healing response is fading and elevated numbers of myofibroblasts result in exuberant fibrotic remodeling.93,94

Several working groups have performed experiments on inhibition of joint contracture in rabbits and rats (Table 2). The reservation must be made, however, that the results are hardly comparable due to differences in the research methodology. Around half of the above-mentioned studies concentrate on immobilization-induced contractures and did not induce a trauma to create a PTJS. Although some experimental results suggest that immobilization alone might be adequate to create a stable joint contracture, these models do not fully reproduce the mechanism of PTJS in humans.46,52,89 Since there is no comprehensive standard model for the creation of joint stiffness, the various studies differ in several aspects, such as the duration of immobilization, the method of joint contracture measurements, the applied extension torque during the measurements, the distinction between myogenic and arthrogenic factors, the administration of medication and the animal model, to name but a few.

In the existing studies on medical inhibition of the development of joint contracture (Table 2), an improvement of the range of motion could be achieved mostly after intraarticular application of the respective active agents.16,17,64,95–104 Although these results constitute an opportunity for the development of a medical treatment of patients with PTJS, the intraarticular application is unfavorable for a number of reasons: i) it is a painful and invasive procedure for the patient, ii) it bears the risk of septic arthritis, iii) it might damage the articular cartilage by chondrotoxic effects or iv) weaken the capsule and ligaments of the knee.105–107 Based on the rabbit models of PTJS of Hildebrand et al and Nesterenko et al, our group established a rat model of PTJS of the knee joint that included a rupture of the posterior joint capsule, a hemarthrosis, an intraarticular bone damage and a temporary fixation of the joint.38,65,91 In order to avoid the potential risks of intraarticular injections, which might lessen their applicability and acceptance in the treatment of patients, we administered the drugs orally.

There are only two published animal experiments that focus on oral drug administration in PTJS.108,109 In the study of Efird et al, montelukast significantly improved joint motion of rats´ knee joints 2 weeks after scraping the soft tissues on the medial and lateral condyles and the cartilage of the trochlea. This massive structural damage to the joint might have led to extensive scarring and inflammation, which might explain the effect on joint contracture of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast. In comparison, we sought to prevent structural damage to the cartilage joint surfaces by setting an extracartilaginous bony lesion to be able to examine the capsular contracture only and rule out impairment on joint motion based on an incongruence of the joint partners. Myofibroblast numbers and synovial length were not measured in the study of Efird et al. In the study of Li et al, celecoxib improved joint motion significantly, but myofibroblast numbers and synovial length were not measured. In the following two studies by Ozawa et al and Barlow et al. the drugs were also administered orally. However, they differ from the two studies mentioned above by Efird et al and Li et al, since Ozawa et al used a non traumatic rat model, whereas Barlow et al initially performed an intra articular injection before switching to oral administration. Ozawa et al measured the synovial length in their non traumatic rat model of knee joint contracture under oral celecoxib treatment after 3 weeks and did neither observe an inhibition of the shortening of the joint capsule nor a reduction of the joint contracture.110 Barlow et al administered rosiglitazone subcutaneously during the first 2 days and then switched to oral drug administration in their rabbit model of PTJS, but did not observe an effect on joint contracture development.111

There are some limitations to our study that need to be mentioned. First, the manual application of the extension torque using a spring scale might add a human error factor. Second, the medication was not administered in different concentrations and serum and joint concentrations of the drugs were not measured. Third, the initial trauma is not really standardized, because hyperextension of the knee joint and drilling of the femoral defect are individual procedures, which might as well lead to bias. Fourth, the immobilization model (ie, using an internal K-wire for joint fixation) does not exactly reflect the human situation and a cast or external fixation might be more suitable. Fifth, the small number of animals in each group might add to the observed variability in the data and mask significant differences. Sixth, immunohistochemistry was limited to myofibroblasts only. Finally, repetitive measurement of the joints is needed to distinguish between muscular and capsular components of the contracture, but might weaken the involved joint structures and lead to larger angles.

Conclusion

In our placebo-controlled, randomized and blinded experimental study with 24 rats, we examined the effects of the anti fibrotic drugs losartan and atorvastatin on the development of early PTJS. Both losartan and atorvastatin reduced the area covered by α-SMA-stained cells (myofibroblasts) and the number of myofibroblasts in the joint capsule 2 weeks after trauma. Losartan increased the length of the inferior joint capsule, but not of the superior capsule and had no effect on capsule thickness. Atorvastatin had no significant influence on capsule length and thickness in comparison to the control. Despite some effects on myofibroblast count and joint capsule, both drugs did not decrease myogenic and arthrogenic joint contracture. BSP was not significantly expressed in the posterior capsule; neither the intensity of antibody staining nor the area coverage of positively stained cells was significantly affected by drug administration. In our future studies, we plan to analyze if this early reduction of myofibroblast numbers affects the long-term contracture development after 4 and more weeks and how atorvastatin and losartan influence gene expression patterns in the posterior knee joint capsule.

Ethics approval

This study was approved by the local ethics committee “Landesuntersuchungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz” (ID 23 177-07/G 13-1-043). We have followed the German “Legal ordinance on the Protection of Animals Used for Experimental Purposes or for Other Scientific Purposes (Experimental Animal Welfare Regulation - TierSchVersV)” (https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tierschversv/BJNR312600013.html).

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations list

α-SMA, alpha smooth muscle actin; ACA, anti-α2Ct antibody; AT-1, angiotensin type 1; BSP, bone sialoprotein; CO_2, carbon dioxide; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; DAB, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine; ECM, extracellular matrix; HIF-1, hypoxia-inducible factor 1; HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A; HO, heterotopic ossification; HRP, horseradish peroxidase; K-wire, Kirschner wire; MMP, matrix metalloproteinases; mRNA, messenger ribonucleic acid; P-ACA, PEGylated anti-α2Ct antibody; PTJS, posttraumatic joint stiffness; ROCK, Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase; TRIS, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane.

Author contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

Dr Andreas Baranowski reports grants from the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz and the German Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (DVSE), during the conduct of the study. Dr Anja Klein reports grants from the German Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (DVSE) and Inneruniversitäre Forschungsförderung Stufe I, during the conduct of the study. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.