title: Visualization of collagenase-induced cartilage degradation using NMR microscopy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is an ongoing discussion about the role of collagenase as a specific cartilage-degrading enzyme in the course of osteoarthritis. Using NMR microscopy, the influence of collagenase on the cartilage structure was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-resolution MR imaging investigations were performed at 7.1 Tesla to study the influence of collagenase on the cartilage structure of pig femoral condyles. Two different contrast agents (polylysine-Gd-DTPA and liposome-entrapped contrast agents) were tested to improve the NMR microscopic visualization of the damaged cartilage regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NMR microscopic investigations showed that collagenase affects only the cartilage surface. Changes within the cartilage layer were not detected. However, after the application of specific contrast agents, it was possible to detect with great sensitivity collagenase-induced damage to the collagen network on the cartilage surface and the superficial cartilage zones. The application of liposome-entrapped contrast agents improved the visualization of the collagenase-degraded superficial cartilage zone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings could be of great importance when estimating the state of the articular cartilage. The degree of fibrillation of the cartilage surface in the course of osteoarthritic disease can be visualized by MR tomography with a high degree of sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Physik und Biophysik, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gründer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D017364:Collagenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008081:Liposomes; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D008081:Liposomes; D017364:Collagenases; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA