Alterations in Gut Microbiota and Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

The purpose of this project is to understand how metabolic factors regulate the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Specifically, the goals of this project are to test the idea that alterations in systemic inflammation caused by changes in the gut microbiota promote the occurrence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The project examines the development of osteoarthritis following a single overload to the knee joint under conditions of altered gut microbiota caused by genetic background or chronic antibiotic treatment. Animal experimentation was completed in the first year. With just a few months remaining on this project we have completed all but the last 10- 20 of the data analysis. Early results indicate that cartilage degeneration caused by the largest load magnitude does not appear to be altered by systemic inflammationadiposity at an early time point 2 weeks after a single load. Data from animals submitted to lower magnitude loads is almost complete and will indicate the degree to which systemic factors regulation cartilage degeneration caused by a single overload.