AN IN-VIVO INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF ANTHRAQUINONES ON THE TURNOVER OF AGGRECANS IN SPONTANEOUS OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE GUINEA-PIG

We present details of a method which allows for the determination of c hondroitin sulphate turnover in vivo using the guinea pig. Such method s have been utilised to examine the effects of diacetyl rhein, a compo und with purported anti-osteoarthritic activity, and several related a nthraquinone analogues on the turnover of chondroitin. Since the guine a pig develops spontaneous osteoarthritis, this may give useful inform ation on the potential for such compounds to inhibit the progression o f osteoarthritis. The results show that several of the anthraquinones are capable of reducing the turnover of chondroitin 4- but not 6-sulph ate. This may indicate potential mechanisms for the breakdown of guine a pig cartilage aggrecans. We propose that these techniques could be u seful for the screening of chemical agents with useful activity agains t osteoarthritis.