HYALINE CARTILAGE - IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT WITH MAGNETIZATION-TRANSFER IMAGING

PURPOSE: To elucidate the magnetization transfer (MT) effects of major components of hyaline cartilage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors e valuated the MT effect of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate pha ntoms (concentrations of 0.6%, 1.2%, 2.4%, 4.8%, 9.6%, and 19.2%), mas s-cultured rat osteosarcoma-derived cells, and normal articular cartil age of the knee. RESULTS: The MT effect of collagen yielded a decrease in signal intensity of 10% (1.2% collagen) to 31% (19.2% collagen); t he decrease varied linearly with collagen concentration. Chondroitin s ulfate did not have a statistically significant MT effect. Cell pellet s showed a decrease in signal intensity of 22%-26%, which was greater than that of 4.8% collagen. Normal articular cartilage of the knees sh owed a decrease in signal intensity of 38%-48%. CONCLUSION: The major role of collagen in MT contrast of hyaline cartilage was confirmed. In addition, a higher cellular contribution to the MT effect was also de monstrated.