Journal de thermodynamique et de catalyse
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Thermogravimetric Investigation of Normal and Pathological Human Meniscus

Gality H, Aigner Z, Toth K, Szabo-Revesz P and Sohar G

Meniscus degeneration is a common problem in the human knee. Meniscal diseases can significantly alter the quality of life. Thermal analysis of human meniscus extracted during surgery can provide insight into the degenerative process. The aim of present study was to characterise the water loss from the investigated biological samples caused by altered metabolism, and compare the thermogravimetric properties of normal, moderately, and severely degenerated meniscus samples. Although total water content was similar in normal, moderately and severely degenerated meniscal cartilages (70.26, 75.51 and 76.29% respectively), there was a significant difference in activation energy (44.92, 51.44 and 62.04 kJ M-1). This can be attributed to the difference in chemical composition of meniscus fibrocartilagenous matrix between the healthy and degenerated samples.