Figure 2.

Histological effect of the unloading condition on the tibial articular cartilage. (A) Change in articular cartilage thickness. The tibial cartilage thickness was significantly thinned after 4 weeks of hindlimb suspension. (B) Change in the intensity of matrix staining by toluidine blue. The staining intensity was significantly decreased after 4 weeks of hindlimb suspension (HS). (C) Representative histological features of the tibial articular cartilage. In both groups, the articular cartilage surface was smooth and intact, but in the HS group, thinning of cartilage, and decreased staining intensity were observed. Scale bar = 500 μm.