[Oxygen free radicals mediate an inhibition of DNA and matrix proteoglycan, collagen synthesis in cultured human embryo chondrocytes].

To research the mechanism of cartilage injury in non-purulent arthritis we have used the method of chondrocytes in monolayer culture in vitro and have observed the effect of free radicals generated by the xanthine oxidase and xanthine on DNA, matrix proteoglycan (PG) and collagen synthesis of human embryo chondrocytes. Our results showed that oxygen free radicals generated by xanthine oxidase and xanthine inhibited strongly the synthesis of DNA, PG and collagen of human embryo chondrocytes. On the bases of these results we suggest that oxygen free radicals from polymorphonuclear leukocytes and phagocytes would be important factors of cartilage injury in the arthritis.