Magnetic resonance imaging reflects cartilage proteoglycan degradation in the rabbit knee.
Cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis is initiated by a loss of proteoglycan. Intra-articular injection of papain causes a reversible loss of proteoglycan in rabbit knees. Rabbits were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using a 1.5T Signa superconducting magnet with 3 inch surface coil. Spin echo sequences were performed in the coronal and sagittal planes at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after intra-articular injection of papain to obtain T1, proton density, and T2-weighted images. Cartilage proteoglycan content was measured biochemically and histochemically. Reduced articular cartilage thickness in the MR images of papain-treated knees corresponded to changes in cartilage proteoglycan content.
Paul
P K
PK
Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Research Department, Summit, New Jersey 07901.
O'Byrne
E
E
Blancuzzi
V
V
Wilson
D
D
Gunson
D
D
Douglas
F L
FL
Wang
J Z
JZ
Mezrich
R S
RS
D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D006614:Hindlimb; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010206:Papain; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D011817:Rabbits
D011509:Proteoglycans; D010206:Papain