Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and modulation of cartilaginous changes in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical implications.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a potential for modifying the complex pathophysiologic events leading to cartilage destruction in various forms of arthritis. Following an evaluation of basic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of cartilaginous destructive lesions, the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on normal chondrocyte metabolism are discussed. Their capacity to modulate cartilage and bone lesions in experimental forms of arthritis is addressed, as is the manner in which they may modify the pathophysiology of cartilage destruction in human forms of arthritis. Different classes of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs produce different effects in certain in vivo or in vitro settings.