[Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the enzymatic degradation of osteoarthritic cartilage].

The proteoglycannasic and collagenolytic activity the fissured, osteoarthritic human cartilage has been studied in vitro, using proteoglycannases and collagen type II respectively as marked substrates. The effect of various NSAIDs, used at a concentration corresponding to that of the synovial fluid, on these enzymatic activities has been measured in vitro. Naproxen decreases in a significant and dose-dependent way the enzymatic degradation of the cartilage, but only an inhibition of the proteoglycannase can be hoped for in vivo. Not all NSAIDs seem to have inhibitory effects on the enzymatic degradation of the osteoarthritic cartilage.