Researcher(s)
- Chloe Kappen, Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- X. Lucas Lu, Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
Abstract
Introduction: Metformin is a common anti-inflammatory drug used to treat type two diabetes. It is believed to have positive effects on articular cartilage, especially in osteoarthritis patients. Osteoarthritis decreases the levels of calcium signaling, due to its degenerative nature on cartilage. While there is extensive research on metformin as an orally ingested drug, there was insufficient evidence of its effect when applied to in vitro models. There is also insufficient evidence providing evidence to the effect of calcium signaling on chondrocytes. This study investigated the potential effects of metformin on preventing osteoarthritis through calcium signaling in bovine articular cartilage chondrocytes.
Methods: Cylindrical cartilage explants with 2 mm in thickness and 3 mm in diameters were harvested from freshly sacrificed bovine knee joints. The explants underwent the 100 uM metformin treatment for 30 minutes or 7 days. Followed by Calbryte ™ 520 AM staining to label the calcium ion in chondrocytes. The LSM880 confocal microscope was used to capture the calcium signaling of the explants over a 30-minute time period.
Significance: The findings of this study can provide insight to how metformin can be used to help prevent osteoarthritis clinically and provides a basis for further knowledge and research regarding the impact of metformin on calcium signaling in bovine articular chondrocytes.