Polysulphated polysaccharides: an in vitro study of their effects on proteoglycan biosynthesis by articular chondrocytes.

An in vitro model is described that allows evaluation of the activity of polysulphated polysaccharides on proteoglycan biosynthesis by articular chondrocytes in culture. Proteoglycan biosynthesis is monitored after brief exposure of the cells to sodium iodoacetate, which induces a substantial decrease in overall proteoglycan biosynthesis, leading to a general reduction of proteoglycan content in the culture medium and in the cartilage-like extracellular matrix. Using this in vitro model, pentosan polysulphate (SP 54) and a high molecular weight analogous (SR 24751) were shown to improve proteoglycan incorporation into the extracellular matrix. In contrast, Arteparon and a low molecular weight fraction of SP 54 (SR 25491) were inactive.