Cartilage changes in rats induced by papain and the influence of treatment with N-acetylglucosamine.
Cartilage damage in the knee joints of rats was induced with a single intraarticular injection of 10 mg papain. Such damage was indicated by a decrease in the content of glycosaminoglycans and histologically detectable alterations in the surface of patellar cartilage. Daily treatment of the rats with N-acetylglucosamine by gavage led to an increase of the glycosaminoglycans of the cartilage and of incorporation of the radioactive precursor of glycosaminoglycan synthesis, 3H-glucosamine hydrochloride, in comparison to control animals treated with saline. The incidence of pathological alterations of the cartilage in histological samples was reduced.
Grevenstein
J
J
Orthopädische Universitätsklinik, Mainz, Germany.
Michiels
I
I
Arens-Corell
M
M
Stofft
E
E
D000117:Acetylglucosamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007719:Knee Joint; D008297:Male; D010206:Papain / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D010206:Papain; D005944:Glucosamine; D000117:Acetylglucosamine