[Hexosaminidase and alkaline phosphatase in cartilage and chondrocyte cultures obtained from normal and arthritic rabbit joints].

Hexosaminidase and alkaline phosphatase activities were studied in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis. Enzyme activities were determined in cartilage slices and cultures of chondrocytes from normal and arthritic joints. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in cartilage slices from rabbits with osteoarthritis, as compared with normal cartilage, whereas no difference was seen for hexosaminidase activity. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not found in chondrocyte cultures. Hexosaminidase activity was significantly higher in chondrocytes from joints with arthritis, as compared with chondrocytes from normal joints, regardless of the mode of expression of results (enzyme activity normalized for cell protein content of for number of cells). Chondrocyte hexosaminidase activity can be proposed as an enzyme marker for osteoarthritis in chondrocyte culture models.