The effect of surface-active phospholipids on the lubrication of osteoarthritic sheep knee joints: Friction

The synovial fluid aspirate from human joints that have experienced serious traumatic injury has been shown to have lower concentrations of phospholipids when compared with healthy joints. Previous studies provide evidence that synovial fluid constituents, specifically dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (Lalpha-DPPC), are highly surface active, capable of rapidly depositing a layer of phospholipids onto glass. Such research has demonstrated that the adsorbed surface layers of synovial surfactant are excellent lubricants in vitro, significantly reducing the coefficient of friction under physiological loading in human knee joints. This study aimed to investigate the effect of concentration of Lalpha-DPPC lubricant solutions on the coefficient of friction of worn articular cartilage on steel. A pin-on-disc apparatus was used to measure the coefficient of friction of sheep-knee articular cartilage on steel under unidirectional sliding at physiological conditions of load and speed. Concentrations of Lalpha-DPPC solution between 100 times less and 100 times more than is normally present in synovial fluid were tested. All specimens were tested following a period of unlubricated induced wear. Trials were carried out at ambient temperature and between 33-37degreesC (representative of in vivo joint temperature). Friction measurement results demonstrated a reduction in the coefficient of friction of worn articular cartilage against steel with increasing concentrations of Lalpha-DPPC in lubricant solution.