[Experimental gonarthrosis in rats and its therapy with glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAGPS)].

In good correlation to earlier results in hens we found that after intraarticular injections of iodo-acetate into the knee joint of rats, degenerative alterations of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone tissue develop within 2-4 months. The radiological, histological and macroscopical appearance of these degenerative processes in rats is quite similar to those in human osteoarthrosis (OA). Drug treatment of these rats with twice weekly subcutaneous doses of 1.0 mg, 2.0 mg or 5.0 mg glycosaminoglycan polysulphate = GAGPS (Arteparon) per kg body weight caused a pronounced and in many cases highly significant reduction of the intensity of experimental osteoarthrosis within the first 9 weeks. Due to the very severe acceleration of OA (induced by the high dose of 1.0 mg iodo-acetate) GAGPS could not influence the further progression of cartilage degeneration and destruction during the period of 12-15 weeks. The present results on rats confirm our preceding studies with biochemically induced OA in hens and demonstrate the identical reactions of both animal species to induction and therapy of degenerative joint disease.