Variations in collagen, non-collagenous proteins, and hexosamine in menisci derived from osteoarthritic and rheumatoid arthritic knee joints.

Knee joint menisci from osteoarthritic and rheumatoid knees were analyzed for nitrogen, collagen, non-collagenous proteins (NCP) and hexamine content. Degenerate areas were analyzed separately. The degenerative areas were significantly lower (P less than 0.005) in collagen but NCP and hexosamines were elevated relative to control tissue. The rheumatoid menisci revealed a reduced level of collagen and hexosamine in areas of localized degeneration. However, the collagen and hexosamine content of the remaining tissue was also diminished (P less than 0.025) relative to normal tissue of the same. age.