[Changes in the articular and growth cartilage of young rats after the intra-articular injection of hydrocortisone].

Changes in the cells and matrix of the joint cartilage (JC) and growing cartilage (GC) of tibias of young rats after five-fold administration of hydrocortisone in a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight were studied by routine histological and histochemical methods. Fissures occurred in JC, but its superficial layer thickened. The cells of this layer acquired the form of fibroblasts, but the reaction for proteoglycans gradually weakened and became negative. The cells in the proliferative and hypertrophic zones were involved mainly in GC. The amount of granulated endoplasmic reticulum diminished. The number of myelin-like figures was increased. Pilings of thick collagenous fibers occurred in the matrix.