A preliminary study on the effect of loaded and unloaded exercise on N-propeptide of type II collagen and serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein activity of articular cartilage in healthy young adults

The serum concentration of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) is considered a mechanosensitive biomarker of articular cartilage turnover, and N-propeptide of type II collagen (PIIANP), a proposed biomarker of type II collagen synthesis. Few studies have investigated the anabolic and turnover response of articular cartilage in response to acute changes in body mass during exercise. Using a repeated measure cross-over design, 15 healthy adults (age 18-30 years) performed three 30 min bouts of treadmill walking exercise under three loading conditions: (1) control (no alteration to body mass); (2) loaded (12% increase in body mass using a weighted vest); and (3) unloaded (12% decrease in body mass using lower body positive pressure). Venous blood was collected before, immediately after, and 15 and 30 min after exercise to investigate cartilage turnover (sCOMP) and anabolism (PIIANP). A main time effect (p ≤ 0.05) revealed that sCOMP levels were significantly greater post-exercise (for all three body loading conditions) as compared to before exercise, 15 and 30 min post-exercise. There was a significant condition × time interaction (p ≤ 0.05) for PIIANP, indicating that in the loaded condition, PIIANP concentrations at 15 min post-exercise were 13.8% greater than immediately following exercise, and 12.9% greater than before exercise. In summary, sCOMP concentration was acutely increased with all three loading conditions. However, PIIANP increased only after exercise in the loaded condition, suggesting an acute anabolic effect on articular cartilage. NCT05925244.