title: Biochemical analyses in osteoarthritis of the hip: a correlative study between glycosaminoglycan loss, enzyme activity and radiologic signs.
abstract: This article describes a correlative study between biochemical analyses and radiologic signs in 90 hips with osteoarthritis (OA) removed at operation. On the basis of possible etiologic considerations, the hips are separated into three groups: mechanically induced OA; OA with mainly inflammatory signs; OA in which neither of the two above factors are clearly present. Respective findings of glycosaminoglycan loss, and enzyme activity in cartilage and synovia demonstrate that in mechanically induced OA the glycosaminoglycan loss is less than in inflammatory OA. In the latter, the enzyme activity level is higher than in the former group, suggesting that two important factors in cartilage degradation are represented differently in osteoarthritis. In individual patients, X-ray examination alone may be sufficient to identify the etiologic group. Body weight is an important etiologic factor; heavy individuals show a greater loss of ground substance, with less enzyme activity compared with individuals weighing 70 kg or less.
mesh_terms: D002403:Cathepsins / Q000378:metabolism; D005270:Femur Head / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D002403:Cathepsins