Transient solute diffusion in articular cartilage.

The one-dimensional transient diffusion of glucose, inulin and dextran into adult bovine knee articular cartilage was determined for transport times of 1, 5, 15 and 60 min, and 4, 12, 24 and 48 h. The apparent diffusion coefficient and apparent interface partition coefficient were calculated from the concentration-depth profiles within the tissue using a theoretical model for non-steady state solute diffusion. The diffusion coefficient was found to decrease with both solute size and transport time. The partition coefficient also decreased with solute size but increased with transport time. Neither coefficient was dependent on normal tissue fluid or proteoglycan content variations.