Enhanced breakdown of bovine articular cartilage proteoglycans by conditioned synovial medium in vitro. The effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate.

The effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAGPS, Arteparon) upon the breakdown of calf articular cartilage proteoglycans has been studied in vitro. GAGPS had no significant effect upon this breakdown when cartilage was cultured alone but significantly reduced the breakdown enhanced by conditioned medium from organ cultures of calf synovial membrane. Culturing the synovial membrane in the presence of GAGPS did not alter the capacity of conditioned medium to degrade cartilage proteoglycans.