Hydrogen-1, sodium-23, and carbon-13 MR spectroscopy of cartilage degradation in vitro.

Viable bovine nasal cartilage was examined with magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. Digestion of the proteoglycan matrix by papain or trypsin was accompanied by substantial changes in carbon-13, sodium-23, and hydrogen-1 MR spectra and relaxation parameters, with C-13 MR spectra showing the most pronounced changes. These results indicate the potential of MR spectroscopy (and imaging) for noninvasive evaluation of cartilage disease and monitoring of patients with degenerative joint diseases.