Distribution of glycosaminoglycans and the nonreducible collagen crosslink, pyridinoline in porcine menisci.

Glycosaminoglycans and the nonreducible collagen crosslink, pyridinoline were determined in stifle joint menisci from adolescent pigs. Medial and lateral menisci were dissected into two portions, the inner third (zone 1) and the remaining two thirds (zone 2) at three different regions; anterior, central and posterior regions. Both glycosaminoglycan and pyridinoline concentrations were greater (P less than 0.05) in zone 1 than in zone 2 in both the medial and lateral menisci. In zone 1, the anterior region had a greater (P less than 0.05) glycosaminoglycan concentration than did the central and posterior regions. Light microscopic observations indicated zonal variations in collagen fiber arrangement.