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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40149547 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13030570

Beyond the Surface: Nutritional Interventions Integrated with Diagnostic Imaging Tools to Target and Preserve Cartilage Integrity: A Narrative Review.

Biomedicines 13(3)

Authors: Salvatore Lavalle, Rosa Scapaticci, Edoardo Masiello, Valerio Mario Salerno, Renato Cuocolo, Roberto Cannella, Matteo Botteghi, Alessandro Orro, Raoul Saggini, Sabrina Donati Zeppa, Alessia Bartolacci, Vilberto Stocchi, Giovanni Piccoli, Francesco Pegreffi

Affiliations

  • Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy.
  • Institute for the Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment, National Research Council of Italy, 80124 Naples, Italy.
  • Department of Radiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy.
  • Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Baronissi, Italy.
  • Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.
  • Experimental Pathology Research Group, Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, Italy.
  • Medical Physics Activities Coordination Centre, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
  • Institute of Biomedical Technologies CNR, Via Fratelli Cervi, 93, 20054 Segrate, Italy.
  • Faculty of Psychology, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy.
  • Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy.
  • Department of Human Sciences for the Promotion of Quality of Life, University San Raffaele, 20132 Roma, Italy.
  • Recovery and Functional Rehabilitation Unit, Ospedale Umberto I, 94100 Enna, Italy.

Abstract

This narrative review provides an overview of the various diagnostic tools used to assess cartilage health, with a focus on early detection, nutrition intervention, and management of osteoarthritis. Early detection of cartilage damage is crucial for effective patient management. Traditional diagnostic tools like radiography and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are more suited to detecting late-stage structural changes. This paper highlights advanced imaging techniques, including sodium MRI, T2 mapping, T1ρ imaging, and delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage, which provide valuable biochemical information about cartilage composition, particularly the glycosaminoglycan content and its potential links to nutrition-related factors influencing cartilage health. Cartilage degradation is often linked with inflammation and measurable via markers like CRP and IL-6 which, although not specific to cartilage breakdown, offer insights into the inflammation affecting cartilage. In addition to imaging techniques, biochemical markers, such as collagen breakdown products and aggrecan fragments, which reflect metabolic changes in cartilage, are discussed. Emerging tools like optical coherence tomography and hybrid positron emission tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (PET-MRI) are also explored, offering high-resolution imaging and combined metabolic and structural insights, respectively. Finally, wearable technology and biosensors for real-time monitoring of osteoarthritis progression, as well as the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing diagnostic accuracy through pattern recognition in imaging data are addressed. While these advanced diagnostic tools hold great potential for early detection and monitoring of osteoarthritis, challenges remain in clinical translation, including validation in larger populations and integration into existing clinical workflows and personalized treatment strategies for cartilage-related diseases.

MeSH

Tomography, Positron-Emission Tomography, Osteoarthritis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging, Artificial Intelligence, Cartilage

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