Glycosaminoglycan metabolism of the medial meniscus, the medial collateral ligament and the hip joint capsule in experimental osteoarthritis caused by immobilization of the rabbit knee.

A study was made of glycosaminoglycan metabolism in experimental osteoarthritis caused by immobilization of the rabbit knee in extension. Samples from the medial meniscus, the medial collateral ligament of the knee and the hip joint capsule were obtained and analysed after 2, 6, 10, 17, 30 and 87 days of immobilization, samples from the mobile limb serving as controls. The tissue concentrations of glycosaminoglycans were determined from measurements of hexosamine and uronic acid after prior papain proteolysis and subsequent purification. The uptake of 35S-sulphate (DPM/microgram hexosamine) was used as an indicator of the synthesis rate of sulphated glycosaminoglycans. In both early and advanced immobilization osteoarthritis, the synthesis rate and the content of glycosaminoglycans were increased in all tissues.