Hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage on mechanical properties of the articular cartilage.

Articular cartilage has unique mechanical and physicochemical properties which are responsible for its load carrying capabilities. This work investigates the effects of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage on mechanical properties of articular cartilage. Bovine articular cartilage was exposed to hydrogen peroxide for a week. Dynamic and static mechanical tests applied to calculate articular cartilage compressive modulus. We observed higher control curve slopes than that of hydrogen peroxide curves which account for lesser stiffness values in the exposed articular cartilage. For the instantaneous experiments, results were statistically significant (p = 0.01, p < 0.05). Here report that hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage causes reduction in the stiffness of the articular cartilage.