Quantitative Gait Analysis Detects Significant Differences in Movement between Osteoarthritic and Nonosteoarthritic Guinea Pig Strains before and after Treatment with Flunixin Meglumine

Abstract EN

A computer-aided gait analysis system was used to contrast two guinea pig strains with differing propensity for osteoarthritis (OA), with/without administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Walking speed and static/dynamic gait parameters were determined at baseline.

Flunixin meglumine was given and animals were evaluated 4, 24, and 72 hours after treatment.

Body weight was compared using unpaired t-tests.

Knee joints were histologically evaluated using species-specific criteria; indices were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s multiple comparisons.

A generalized linear model followed by Tukey’s posttests juxtaposed gait parameters; walking speed was a covariate for other outcome measures.

Body weight was not different between strains; OA-prone animals demonstrated more progressive chondropathy.

At baseline, OA-prone animals had slower walking speeds, narrower hind limb bases of support, shorter stride lengths, and slower limb swing speeds relative to OA-resistant animals.

These differences were not detected 4 or 24 hours after treatment.

By 72 hours, OA-prone animals had returned to baseline values.

These findings indicate a distinct voluntary gait pattern in a rodent model of bilateral primary OA, modification of which may allow rapid screening of novel therapies.

Flunixin meglumine temporarily permitted OA-prone animals to move in a manner that was analogous to OA-resistant animals.